Following decades of conflict, the Government of Colombia and the FARC-EP rebel group signed an historic Final Agreement on 24 November 2016. 

The following year, the Council authorised the creation of a UN Verification Mission in Colombia to oversee the accord’s implementation. 

However, the Council narrowed the scope of the Mission’s mandate in October 2025, even as that year saw the attempted assassination – and later passing – of one of Colombia’s presidential candidates. Nevertheless, the country held largely peaceful congressional elections on 8 March 2026.

Stay the course

“It is essential for the country to stay on this trajectory,” emphasised Miroslav Jenča, Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Verification Mission in the country.

Now, ahead of presidential elections on 31 May, he called on all concerned to ensure a safe, peaceful environment free of violence and stigmatization. 

And condemning reported threats against presidential candidates, he called on State authorities to guarantee the safety of all participants in the electoral process. 

For its part, the Mission will contribute – as it did during congressional elections – in analysing security risks and coordinating preventive actions.

Further, the Mission has been “fully restructured” to reflect the “refocused” mandate established by resolution 2798 (2025), which he noted includes reintegration of former combatants, security guarantees and comprehensive rural reform. 

On the latter, he pointed to both progress achieved and continued effort needed, while also underlining the importance of this process: “By unlocking viable economic opportunities, it can also provide sustainable alternatives to illicit economies, thereby helping to break the cycle of violence.”

Hard-won gains eroded

He detailed a similar reality with regards to former combatants, where active reintegration is complicated by the “fragile socioeconomic, infrastructural and security conditions in rural areas where many former combatants have settled”. 

He also reported that clashes over territorial control and illicit economies in several rural areas – “the Catatumbo region is a case in point” – are visiting violence and hardship on entire communities.

“As long as violence, territorial disputes or governance vacuums persist in any part of the country, they risk undermining national stability and eroding the gains made elsewhere,” he underscored. And stressing that the Final Agreement provides a comprehensive roadmap for addressing both the root causes and the consequences of the conflict, he observed: 

“The territories where the Agreement has not been sufficiently implemented are precisely where the most acute problems persist today.”

Transformational opportunity

Speaking for one of those hotspots – the Catatumbo region – Olga Lucia Quintero Sierra, General Coordinator of the Catatumbo Peasant Association, said that honouring the historic agreement is a “real opportunity for transformation” for those living in rural Colombia. 

Its sections are interconnected, and she stressed that “advancing in a partial or fragmented manner weakens its essence”. 

Also underlining the need to listen to communities, she said that, despite a new escalation of violence in Catatumbo, “signs of hope” include social investment, the construction of a new university and land allocation to rural women.

On the latter, she said that 54 women have benefitted from the allocation of 724 hectares of land. “This achievement isn’t just about access to land; it is the possibility of rebuilding our lives,” she emphasised.

No abstract peace

“Peace in our territories is not an abstract concept – it is the real presence of the State” in those areas, she went on to say, which equates to “the possibility of living without fear”. 

Against that backdrop, she urged the Mission to continue verifying the deal and the new Government to assume the commitment to fully implement the accord as a national priority. 

Colombia, she concluded, demonstrates that, “even in scenarios marked by profound differences, dialogue constitutes the most effective path to building peace”.

Briefing the Security Council on Wednesday, Special Representative Valentine Rugwabiza said the 28 December 2025 polls marked “an important milestone in the consolidation of the peace process and State authority.”

The combined presidential, legislative, regional and municipal elections – including the first municipal polls since 1988 – represented “the most extensive electoral operations ever undertaken in the Central African Republic,” she said.

Voting was conducted “in a peaceful and secure manner across most of the country, despite isolated security incidents.”

Incumbent President Faustin-Archange Touadéra secured an outright majority and won a third term in office.

UN support for the elections

The UN peacekeeping mission, MINUSCA, provided technical, logistical, operational and security support, including transporting more than 232 tonnes of voter information and facilitating the deployment of nearly 500 election-related workers nationwide.

The mission also supported the rotation and reinforcement of 1,237 national defence and security forces and provided assistance packages to more than 800 soldiers in hotspot areas.

The elections also reflected progress on inclusion, with women representing more than 47 per cent of voters and 45 per cent of municipal candidates.

Implementing the peace accord

CAR has faced recurrent cycles of conflict since 2013, when predominantly Muslim Seleka rebels seized power, prompting the rise of largely Christian anti-Balaka militias.

The 2019 Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation between the Government and 14 armed groups – brokered with international support – remains the central framework for stabilisation efforts.

Ms. Rugwabiza reported continued progress under that agreement, including the dissolution of two additional armed groups and the signing of a third agreement for the return of the Movement of Central African Patriots to the process, facilitated by Chad.

Since July 2025, more than 1,200 combatants have been disarmed and demobilised.

Security improved, but challenges remain

However, she cautioned that “the continuation of a well-planned and coordinated disarmament and demobilisation process remains essential to sustain security and peace gains.”

Security conditions have improved in western and central regions, but challenges remain acute in the northeast and southeast.

In the southeast, militia attacks targeting civilians and local authorities continue, after 21 voting centres out of 6,700 nationwide were prevented from opening there on election day.

The spillover of conflict from neighbouring Sudan has driven thousands of refugees into northeastern prefectures, straining limited services and exacerbating intercommunal tensions – while further constraining humanitarian access.

Cuts to peacekeeping

MINUSCA has consolidated its force presence in affected areas to enhance civilian protection. At the same time, the mission’s operations have been impacted by a lack of money.

As of 2 February, $733 million of the mission’s $1.17 billion annual budget from July 2025-June 2026 remains unpaid (approximately 63 per cent).

Established in 2014, MINUSCA is mandated to protect civilians, support the peace process and help extend State authority.

As the country enters a post-election phase, the mission is seeking to gradually transfer responsibilities to national institutions – a process dependent on continued stability, institutional capacity and reliable financial resources.

Building peace

Omar Hilale, Morocco’s Ambassador to the UN and Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission’s support group working to bolster peace in CAR, said the country was entering “a decisive phase in terms of consolidation, confidence and national cohesion.”

The UN Peacebuilding Commission is an intergovernmental advisory body supporting peace efforts in conflict-impacted nations worldwide.

“We must ensure that political attention to security sector reform remains unwavering,” said Mr. Hilale, while also underscoring the importance of MINUSCA. Any discussions on its future must be anchored in the “realities on the ground,” he said.

“The Central African Republic is entering a new phase, turning resolutely towards the future with renewed determination and commitment. It is, therefore, incumbent upon us to seize this pivotal moment, and consolidate and safeguard the progress made so far,” he said.

Thousands of people took to the streets of Serbia on Saturday as university students announced a new phase in their campaign against President Aleksandar Vučić, marking more than a year of mass demonstrations that have challenged his increasingly autocratic government.

In Novi Sad, protesters chanted slogans such as “thieves,” accusing the government of widespread corruption. Many linked government negligence to the November 2024 train station disaster in the northern city, which claimed 16 lives and fueled a nationwide call for political accountability.

Vučić, who has led Serbia for over a decade, has resisted calls for immediate early elections, prompting frustration among students and civic activists. Reports indicate that hundreds of demonstrators have been detained, and others have faced workplace pressure or job loss for opposing the administration.

Addressing the crowd in Novi Sad, student leaders outlined a roadmap to combat corruption and restore the rule of law. Their proposals include barring corrupt officials from political office and conducting thorough investigations into the wealth of current and former politicians. The initiative, dubbed “What Victory Will Mean,” seeks to ensure accountability in a potential post-Vučić government.

Last month, the movement claimed to have collected roughly 400,000 signatures supporting their push for early elections. Organizers have announced the next major protest for January 27 in Belgrade, signaling the campaign will continue into the new year.

Vučić initially rose to power promising European Union integration but has since strengthened political and economic ties with Russia and China. Critics accuse him of restricting democratic freedoms while allowing corruption and organized crime to thrive.

The student-led protests have resonated with many Serbs frustrated with the political establishment. Vučić, however, has dismissed the movement as being influenced by unspecified Western powers seeking to “destroy Serbia.”

Analysts say the persistence and organization of the student movement reflect growing public impatience with entrenched corruption, and the coming weeks could be pivotal for Serbia’s political future.

According to MINUSCA, preliminary reports from observers indicate that more than 99 per cent of polling stations across the country opened as scheduled on election day.

The transfer of envelopes containing the results from 19 prefectural capitals to the national capital, Bangui, is now underway, with logistical and security support from the mission.

The 28 December vote marked an unprecedented moment in the country’s political history, bringing together four ballots in a single electoral exercise. Municipal elections, in particular, had not been held in the Central African Republic (CAR) since 1988 and were a key provision of the 2019 Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation.

Vast, sparsely populated and landlocked, CAR is crisscrossed by dense forests, rivers and long, often impassable roads. Outside Bangui, many communities are reachable only by air or days-long journeys.

Extensive UN support for complex operation

MINUSCA said it worked closely with national authorities and UN agencies to support the electoral process, delivering all voting materials on time despite difficult terrain and security constraints.

In total, the mission carried out 84 flights and eight road convoys to transport more than 230 tonnes of election materials, including ballot papers, indelible ink, voter cards, voting booths and ballot boxes.

Electoral materials were delivered to 6,679 of the country’s 6,700 polling stations, allowing them to function normally across 20 prefectures.

On the technical and operational front, some 34,500 people – including electoral agents, supervisors and polling station staff – were trained with UN support.

Security measures

Security for the polls was reinforced through the deployment of additional national troops and police, supported logistically by MINUSCA, alongside strengthened patrols by UN peacekeepers and police personnel.

The mission also provided Central African armed forces and internal security personnel with vehicles and motorcycles to reach remote and isolated areas.

Speaking at a press conference in Bangui on Wednesday, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for CAR, Valentine Rugwabiza, said the mission had successfully fulfilled its mandate despite operating in a challenging environment.

Incident in Haut-Mbomou

Ms. Rugwabiza strongly condemned an attack in Bambouti, in the south-eastern Haut-Mbomou prefecture near the border with South Sudan, which prevented voting from taking place in that locality due to insecurity.

The attack, carried out by the Azandé Ani Kpi Gbe (AAKG) armed group, also involved hostage-taking, including the sub-prefect.

She said MINUSCA has been working around the clock since Sunday to facilitate the release of those taken hostage.

Results expected next week

The National Elections Authority (NEA) is expected to announce the preliminary results of the presidential election on 5 January 2026.

Reuters

Reuters

Hannah Tetteh, who also heads the UN Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), briefed ambassadors in the wake of municipal council elections last week and outlined a proposed roadmap to general elections, which should have been held way back in 2021.

“The Libyan people look to this esteemed Council for help, to ensure a solution to the crisis and support a political process that will result in elections and unified institutions not a succession of transitional governments,” she said.

Voting and disruptions

Nearly 15 years after the fall of former President Muammar Gaddafi, Libya remains split between two rival administrations:  the internationally recognised Government of National Unity, located in the western capital of Tripoli, and the rival Government of National Stability based in Benghazi in the east.

This past Saturday, 26 municipalities successfully held elections despite significant challenges.  Ms. Tetteh commended the electoral management body HNEC and urged all candidates to accept the results.

She regretted that not all municipalities that were expected to take part were able to do so, with the government in the east giving instructions to suspend electoral processes in 16 municipalities. Additionally, voting materials were withdrawn from centres across the region and the south.

Efforts to disrupt the vote also occurred in some municipalities in the west, where HNEC offices in three cities were set on fire or attacked, although the vote went ahead in two of them. 

‘A clear signal’

“By the end of polling day, voter turnout was 71 per cent. This is a clear signal that the Libyan people are yearning to elect their representatives. In some areas, this was the first time any elections have happened since 2014,” she said.

However, the suspension of elections in the east and south “is an equally clear sign that not all are committed to supporting Libya’s democratic development and there is an urgent need for a reset in the political process,” she added.

In February, UNSMIL established an Advisory Committee to provide recommendations for resolving outstanding issues that have prevented national elections from taking place.

A report was presented in May, and the Mission has been holding nationwide consultations on the outcomes. It has also conducted an online survey for people to share their opinions on the recommendations, with more than 22,500 responses. 

“The message we clearly received was the desire to stop the cycles of repeated transitional periods; preserve and strengthen the unity of the country and its institutions; as well as to renew their legitimacy through presidential and legislative elections; and end what was frequently referenced as foreign interference,” Ms. Tetteh told the Council.

Roadmap to elections

Based on the Advisory Committee’s recommendations, the feedback from the population, and lessons learned from the failure to hold the 2021 elections, “we are convinced that the political process should focus on guaranteeing general elections and the unification of institutions through a sequenced approach,” she said.

Ms. Tetteh proposed a roadmap built around three core pillars: implementation of “a technically sound and politically viable electoral framework” towards holding the elections; unifying institutions through a new unified government, and a structured dialogue to address critical issues in order to create a conducive environment for the polls.

She estimated it would take 12 to 18 months to complete the roadmap, which will end in general elections and several “sequential steps”, including enhancing HNEC capacity as well as amending the legal and constitutional frameworks for holding full elections – legislative and presidential. 

“Following these two prior steps – which could be concluded over the next two months at most if there were the political will to do so – there should be agreement on a new unified government, capable of creating a conducive environment for credible elections while managing key governance functions effectively,” she said.

Security concerns

Ms. Tetteh reported on developments on other fronts, including the volatile security situation, with increasing militarisation of all sides.

She noted that the situation in Tripoli remains of great concern, following clashes in May.  While a fragile truce is holding, violations have occurred, though no escalations.

UNSMIL also documented 20 deaths in custody since March 2024, including political activist Abdel Munim Al-Maremi who died last month in Tripoli shortly after a release order had reportedly been issued. 

“These cases are the latest examples of a widespread and persistent pattern of grave violations perpetrated across the country with impunity, including against migrants and refugees, in some cases fueled by disinformation and hate speech,” she said.

Ms. Tetteh was also alarmed by the forced return of migrants to conflict zones, including Sudan. She noted that Sudanese refugees in Kufra exceeds the number of residents, urging donors to step up support. 

Sharaa said Syria needed to rebuild its legal system and would have to hold a comprehensive population census to run legitimate elections.

Sharaa – previously known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani – has led the country’s new authorities after the Assad presidency fell earlier this month.

Since then, questions have been raised over how HTS will govern the multi-ethnic country.

HTS began as a jihadist group – espousing violence to achieve its goal of establishing a state governed by Islamic law (Sharia) – but has distanced itself from that past in recent years.

Sharaa said the group, which was once aligned with Islamic State and al- Qaeda and is designated as a terrorist organisation by the UN and many countries, will be “dissolved” at an upcoming national dialogue conference but gave no further details.

The gathering could be the first test of whether Syria’s new leadership can achieve the promised goal of uniting the country after thirteen years of civil war.

Responding to criticism of his transitional government, he said the appointments made were “essential” and not meant to exclude anyone.

Syria is home to many ethnic and religious groups, including Kurds, Armenians, Assyrians, Christians, Druze, Alawite Shia and Arab Sunnis, the last of whom make up a majority of the Muslim population.

His group have promised to protect the rights and freedoms of minorities in the country.

Leonardo Santos Simão, highlighted upcoming presidential elections in Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau, and the adoption of constitutional reforms amid a strained political environment in Gambia.

He also commended recent successful elections in Ghana and Senegal, noting the signing of a “Peace Pact” by all presidential candidates in Ghana and the smooth transfer of power following orderly concessions by political rivals.  

In Senegal, electoral observer missions highlighted the transparency of the process and the trust placed by political parties in national institutions, he added.

“These two elections demonstrate progress in democracy in the region,” Mr. Simão said.

Challenges remain

However, several countries in the region – including Ghana and Senegal – continue to face significant economic challenges.

“They will require support to manage rising debt and implement projects that protect livelihoods, otherwise their democratic gains may fail to satisfy the expectations of the populations, in particular among women and the youth,” Mr. Simão warned.

He also urged efforts to prioritise preventive diplomacy and dialogue in the region, while emphasising he remains focused on fostering mutual understanding and encouraging common ground with all stakeholders.

“While the positive outcomes of these engagements are gradual, there are promising signs of increased collaboration on people-centred, pragmatic solutions to the region’s security, governance, humanitarian and socio-economic challenges,” he added.

Escalating security threats

Insecurity remains the most urgent concern, with terrorist groups becoming increasingly aggressive and utilising sophisticated weaponry, including drones. Recent attacks in the Central Sahel have claimed many lives, affecting civilians and security personnel alike.

Beyond the Sahel, violent extremism and organized crime have begun to spill into Gulf of Guinea nations, such as Benin and Togo, threatening more regional destabilisation.  

The cessation of operations by the G5-Sahel Joint Force and the restructuring of the Accra Initiative, highlight the urgent need to reinvigorate regional security mechanisms, Mr. Simão said.

He called for increased support for the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), the only functioning security platform in the Lake Chad Basin, which is struggling to counter increasingly well-equipped terrorist groups.

Humanitarian crisis deepens

The humanitarian situation in the region also remains challenging.

Chad, hosting two million refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) – including those fleeing the violence in Sudan – is grappling with the dual challenges of displacement and severe flooding.

In Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria, escalating violence has displaced millions, while underfunded humanitarian appeals leave many vulnerable.

“I urge partners to contribute to the humanitarian appeal, which remains less than 50 percent funded,” Mr. Simão said.

Withdrawal from ECOWAS

He also briefed Council members of the Summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) last week, where leaders took note of the decision by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to withdraw from the bloc.  

While formal withdrawal proceedings are expected to commence in late January 2025, ECOWAS leaders also extended a six-month window for dialogue, in case rapprochement is possible.

Stephanie Koury, Deputy Special Representative for Libya and acting head of the UN Support Mission in the country, UNSMIL, briefed ambassadors on the initiative a day after presenting it to the population.

The UN-facilitated process involves establishing an advisory committee to review outstanding issues in the electoral laws and make viable proposals for an overall roadmap for the holding of the vote.  

The committee will be composed of “experts and respected personalities, who are reflective of the spectrum of Libyan political forces, social, cultural and geographical components,” she said, speaking via videoconference. 

Facilitating dialogue, fostering inclusion

UNSMIL also intends to work with Libyan partners to convene a structured dialogue to consolidate consensus around a unified national vision for the future of the country.

“Ensuring full, equal and meaningful participation of all segments of society – particularly youth and women – remain UNSMIL’s priority to fostering inclusivity, building national unity and enhancing the legitimacy of the political process,” she said.

“It is my hope that this process can build an important legacy and support the conclusion of the constitution-making process down the road.”

A decade of division

Libya has been in political turmoil since the overthrow of former President, the late Muammar Gadaffi, in 2011.

The country has been split between two rival administrations since 2014, with the internationally recognized Government of National Unity (GNU) based in the northwest, and the Government of National Stability (GNS), which is located in the east.

Landmark elections were set to be held in December 2021 but scrapped due to several factors, including disputes over the eligibility of candidates.

Libyans want national elections

Ms. Koury began her remarks by congratulating the Libyan people on the successful holding of the first phase of local elections on 16 November.

“The holding of these elections is a reminder that the Libyan people yearn to exercise their right to select those who govern them,” she said.

The top official took up her post eight months ago. Since then, she has “met Libyans from all walks of life and they have repeatedly conveyed to me a sense of urgency and to hold national elections.”

She told the Council that Libyans are anxious about their country’s future.

“The status quo is unsustainable and has persisted for too long,” she said, noting that “unilateral actions pursued by political elites have deeply eroded Libya’s institutions into parallel and competing structures.”

Challenges to overcome

Ms. Koury said she is mindful of mounting challenges that must be overcome. 

She described the recent reinstatement of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank as “an important milestone”, following resolution of a stand-off over leadership and its suspension for over a decade.

“To effectively implement monetary policy and contribute to economic stabilization, the Central Bank leadership and Board must be free to act independently, transparently and with integrity, without conflicts of interests, in concert with other oversight institutions,” she said.

Arbitrary detentions and regional instability

Meanwhile, arbitrary arrests and detention persist, and she urged the authorities to grant UNSMIL unimpeded access to all detention centres.

“I am very concerned about deaths in custody,” she added.  “Since I last briefed the Council, four Libyans, including two women, have died in custody. Transparent investigations into these deaths are needed and those responsible must be held accountable.”

Furthermore, regional instability is also having a grave impact on Libya. She said that since the start of the conflict in neighbouring Sudan in April 2023, “an exponentially growing number of Sudanese refugees” have crossed the border, with an average of 400 to 500 arrivals a day.

‘Seize the opportunity’

Having presented her plan to the Council, Ms. Koury urged the international community to support it.

“Libya’s guns largely remain silent, but it is neither stable nor at peace,” she said. 

“Against the backdrop of persistent foreign involvement, regional changes and growing economic headwinds, we must collectively seize the opportunity to achieve a lasting political settlement.” 

She stressed that the plan’s success “first and foremost requires political will and the commitment of Libyan actors to refrain from unilateral actions that continue to entrench institutional divisions and polarization.” 

She reiterated, however, that “unity of purpose and coordinated support from Libya’s regional and international partners” is equally crucial. 

“The Libyan people have shown that not only do they desire change, but they have the capacity to reach agreements through compromise and make lasting progress and hold elections. And they need your unified support,” she said.