Amid growing global concerns, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently had a heart-to-heart over a phone call about pressing issues in Haiti, Somalia, and Yemen. Their conversation was primarily focused on the ongoing challenges in these volatile regions, but you could say it was much more than a simple exchange of pleasantries.
“Antony Blinken and Antonio Guterres have been talking turkey about the current affairs,” remarked an international relations observer. They delved into critical matters, including security hiccups in the Caribbean nation of Haiti, the ongoing shenanigans in Somalia, and the plight of individuals caught up in Yemen under the control of the Houthis.
During their discussion on Friday, Blinken spotlighted the progress achieved by the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti. According to a statement released by the US Department of State, he emphasized how critical it is to address Haiti’s security afflictions, which have been on a downward spiral, especially following the whacking of President Jovenel Moise in 2021.
The American Secretary of State also discussed, in no uncertain terms, the significance of the Haitian government’s plea to morph the MSS into a UN peacekeeping operation. The transition is seen as key to offering a more long-lasting solution to provide Haiti with a much-needed sense of security. Recent unrest, fueled by rampant gang violence, has disrupted countless lives there, igniting cries for help that have resonated internationally.
In shifting the conversation to Africa, Blinken and Guterres weighed options for bankrolling the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission (AUSSOM) in Somalia. This region, notorious for its drawn-out series of nefarious terrorist escapades predominantly concocted by al-Shabaab, remains a major focal point for international peacekeeping and stabilization efforts.
Turning attention to Yemen, the duo also mulled over steps to secure freedom for detainees held by the Houthis. Those detained include not only six UN human rights staff members, detained on June 6, but also seven other UN personnel, as reported by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Their release remains an urgent priority, highlighting the deep-seated human rights quandaries in the region.
In wrapping up their seasoned discussion, Blinken offered words of acknowledgment to Guterres. He expressed profound appreciation for the UN Secretary-General’s stalwart leadership and the collaborative spirit he has fostered to tackle these multifaceted challenges head-on. As global instability looms large, such partnerships between leading figures are more critical than ever, offering a glimmer of hope amidst challenging times.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
