In Afghanistan, a 21-member team was announced last week to directly negotiate with the Taliban, and technical contacts established for an initial prisoner release. Pledging his full support, the Secretary-General stated his belief that "the time has come for the Government and the Taliban to cease hostilities as COVID-19 looms over the country".
Special appeal
For all nations in conflict, the UN chief made a special appeal to those with influence on warring parties "to do everything possible for the ceasefire to become a reality". He called on "all those that can make a difference, to make that difference", by urging and pressuring combatants around the world to lay down their arms. Noting that there is a chance for peace, Mr. Guterres maintained, "but we are far from there".
COVID-19 overshadows conflicts
"The need is urgent", he said. "The COVID-19 storm is now coming to all these theatres of conflict". Against the backdrop of a coronavirus moving swiftly across borders, devastating countries and upending lives, Mr. Guterres projected that, "the worst is yet to come". "We need to do everything possible to find the peace and unity our world so desperately needs to battle COVID-19", concluded the Secretary-General. "We must mobilize every ounce of energy to defeat it".
s.un.org/en/story/2020/04/1061012
(Article changed on April 19, 2020 at 16:15)
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