Sources at the United Nations Security Council inform AfroAmerica Network that May 2011 will be dedicated to dealing with Africa issues, especially the Great Lakes Region of Africa which includes Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, Uganda, and South Sudan. For that purpose three main actions are planned:
1) On May 13, 2011 the UN Secretary General will debrief the UN Security Council on major issues and progress in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the fate of MONUSCO, whose mandate is set to expire on June 30, 2011. The expectations are that the UN Secretary General will request an extension arguing that that MONUSCO is needed to help in presidential elections to be held at the end of the year 2011.
2) In mid-May, 2011 the UN Secretary General Special representative on sexual violence in conflict, Margot Wallström, is expected to brief the DRC sanctions committee on the on going actions to prevent the scurge of rapes plaguing Eastern DRC.
3) On May 18, 2011 the UN DRC Panel of Experts will present their interim report on armed groups and the illegal exploitation of natural resources.
4) In end May 2011, UN Security Council members plan to visit the following countries: Kenya, South Sudan, Khartoum and Ethiopia. The trip appears to be focused on getting a feel of what would happen when South Sudan becomes independent in June 2011. In fact, the UN Security council members will visit Juba, Abyei, Khartoum, all in Sudan. The delegation to Sudan will be led by the United States of America, whereas the other legs of the trip will be led by UK and France
France will preside over the UN Security Council in May 2011.
©AfroAmerica Network, 2011.
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