Interviews

Women around the world are acting with dignity and determination to overcome the abuses that they frequently face. That’s according to the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, who has been discussing the challenges the world body faces in 2012.  He said the establishment last year of the new agency UN Women showed the United Nations is committed to helping women overcome the problems they face. Maha Fayek asked the Secretary-General what women around the world are expecting from him.

Duration: 2'55"

A “massive” emergency operation has been launched in South Sudan following inter-ethnic violence in Jonglei state.

The Government of South Sudan declared the area a disaster zone after 6000 Lou Nuer youths went on a rampage attacking rival Murle people.

Around 60,000 people are now in need of humanitarian aid.

Donn Bobb asked the United Nations humanitarian chief in South Sudan, Lise Grande for an update on the situation.

Duration: 2’43”

People around the world and especially in Asia, have high expectations that the United Nations can help to tackle global problems including climate change. That’s what United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon has said as he started his second five-year term this month.

 Ethnic tensions have been rising in the town of Moyale in northern Kenya following an increase in clashes between rival ethnic groups over the past few months.

The Borana and Gabra communities are fighting over land for grazing, as well as livestock.

The northern region of Kenya has experienced prolonged drought, but in the past few weeks rains have arrived and grazing land rejuvenated.

Derrick Mbatha has been speaking to Matthew Conway, spokesperson for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in East Africa.

Security is being reinforced in a town in South Sudan that was attacked by a group of 6000 armed men.

Pibor town, which is home to the Murle ethnic group was targeted over the weekend by men from the Lou Nuer tribe as part of ongoing tribal rivalries.

The South Sudanese army has sent reinforcements as has the United Nations.

Donn Bobb asked Kouider Zerrouk, a spokesperson for the UNMISS, the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan for an update on the situation in Pibor.

Duration: 2’13”

South Africa is emphasizing the importance of closer cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations in order to solve global problems.

Ambassador Baso Sangqu has described 2011 as an “extremely dramatic” year with changes in the Arab World and ongoing crises in other parts of the world.

South Africa has assumed the rotating presidency of the Security Council for January.

Saudi Arabia is being urged to cut back on the use of the death penalty as a punishment for crimes.

Although the death penalty is not illegal in international law, the Middle Eastern country does use it as punishment for a wide range of offences including murder, adultery and witchcraft.

Death penalty sentences have increased dramatically in 2011.

Derrick Mbatha asked Rupert Colville from the UN Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) about the recent trend.

Duration: 2’42”

The humanitarian aid effort has been stepped up in two towns in South Sudan towns which were attacked by a group of armed youth.

Pibor town and Likuangole, home to the majority Murle ethnic group were attacked by 6000 men from the Lou Nuer tribe during the past 10 days.

They have since withdrawn but have left what’s been described as a grim humanitarian situation.

Donn Bobb asked the United Nations humanitarian chief in South Sudan, Lise Grande what the UN is doing to help.

Duration: 3’12” [early out 2’30”]

The price of food around the world is set to remain high and volatile according to the new chief of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

José Graziano da Silva said FAO will increase its support to a number of poor countries which are suffering most from the volatility.

They include countries in Asia, the Sahel region of Africa, as well as the Horn of Africa.

Monica Grayley asked Mr da Silva how the world’s poorest people will be fed in 2012.

Duration: 2’42”

The United Nations Secretary-General has committed to making a success of what he described as a “seemingly impossible job”.

Speaking as he began his second five-year term as the chief of the UN, Ban Ki-moon said the challenges faced by the UN and its 193 member states could be overcome if the UN was more united and better organized.

Maha Fayek asked Mr. Ban what his mission will be over the next five years.

Duration: 4’06”