Author: admin

  • PRESS RELEASE : The security situation across the Sahel is deteriorating – UK statement at the UN Security Council [January 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : The security situation across the Sahel is deteriorating – UK statement at the UN Security Council [January 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 January 2024.

    Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on West Africa.

    Thank you, President. I’m grateful to SRSG Simão and Dr Théroux-Bénoni for their briefings this morning. Let me make four points on security, democracy, climate change, and humanitarian need.

    First, as we’ve heard, security across the Sahel is deteriorating. The UK is particularly concerned about the situation in Mali, where UNOWAS has a crucial role to play after MINUSMA’s withdrawal. We encourage UNOWAS, through its good offices, to help bring all signatories to the 2015 Algiers Accords back to the negotiating table.

    The UK welcomes ECOWAS contributions to regional security and supports the potential of the Accra Initiative. We also stand ready to support the region and the UN for the upcoming Africa Counter Terrorism Summit. We reiterate that the region’s security challenges are only exacerbated by the destabilising chaos of Russian mercenary group Wagner.

    Second, democracy is under pressure. Timelines for the restoration of constitutional governments in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea continue to slip. We echo ECOWAS’ calls for a return to constitutional order, and we encourage recommitment to transition timetables. We call on Niger to agree a transition timeline with ECOWAS.

    The United Kingdom congratulates Liberia for its recent peaceful transfer of power, and welcomes the Peacebuilding Commission’s role supporting this process. We urge redoubled efforts on UNOWAS’ regional work to prevent election-related tensions.

    Third, the Security Council has recognised the adverse effects of climate change on security and stability in the region. We welcome UNOWAS’ work in the climate-security nexus. The UK is supporting work in the region to build the resilience of those most vulnerable to climate change.

    Fourth, the humanitarian situation remains dire. Since 2019, UK aid has supported over 15 million in the Sahel with life-saving assistance, but humanitarian needs are still going unmet.  We call on all actors to ensure safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance.

    In closing, President, in light of the regional challenges we’ve all set out here today, we should recommit to even closer work with UNOWAS and the regional organisations. We join others in calling for a presidential statement of the Council to reflect this commitment.

    I thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : We will not stand by and allow the Houthis to threaten civilian vessels: UK statement at the UN Security Council [January 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : We will not stand by and allow the Houthis to threaten civilian vessels: UK statement at the UN Security Council [January 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 January 2024.

    Explanation of vote by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Yemen.

    Thank you, President and we thank also the US and Japan for tabling this resolution.

    The United Kingdom condemns in the strongest terms the illegal and unjustified attacks in the Red Sea by Houthi militants.

    Yesterday, the Houthis attempted their largest attack yet, launching at least 21 missiles and drones towards international shipping lanes. 15 percent of all global seaborne trade passes through the Red Sea.

    These attacks threaten to spike the availability and prices of food and energy, which would inevitably hit the world’s poorest the hardest. Yesterday’s was the twenty-sixth such attack since the 19th of November.

    This was despite this Council’s demand on the 1 December for the Houthis to stop all such attacks immediately. On 3 January, the UK joined 11 countries in a statement warning against further attacks.

    So we are using all diplomatic means possible to deter these attacks and that is why we voted in favour of this resolution.

    US and UK military assets in the Red Sea successfully repelled yesterday’s attack. We will not stand by and allow the Houthis to threaten civilian vessels and hold global food and energy supplies hostage.

    If necessary, and as previously stated by the UK Defence Secretary, we will not hesitate to take further action to deter threats to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.

    The UK is committed to ensuring freedom of navigation and trade in the Red Sea.

    I thank you.

  • NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 22 December 1923

    NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 22 December 1923

    22 DECEMBER 1923

    West Derbyshire by-election resulted in a gain for the Unionist party, Lord Hartington being returned with a majority of 453 over his Liberal opponent.

    A summary of the Temperance (Scotland) Act polls shows a large majority for ‘no change’.

    David Lloyd George, the former Prime Minister, in an article on his recent tour in Canada, says the ordinary methods of attracting emigrants are worthless, and suggests that a bolder and more enterprising scheme is needed on both sides of the Atlantic.

  • NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 21 December 1923

    NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 21 December 1923

    21 DECEMBER 1923

    A report of the National Wages Board on the claims of the railway companies for a revision of the national agreement has been issued. The railway companies are disappointed with the findings, but will, it is regarded as certain, loyally accept them.

    Montagu Norman, Sir Josiah Stamp and Reginald McKenna are to be the British members of the Expert Committees of Reparations.

    Sir John Gilmour has been appointed Scottish Unionist whip in the vacancy created by the resignation of PJ Ford.

    Prince George, who has reached the age of 21 years old, has been made a Knight of the Garter.

    Admiral Condouriotis has taken the oath as Regent of Greece.

  • NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 20 December 1923

    NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 20 December 1923

    20 DECEMBER 1923

    It was officially announced that the King would open Parliament in person on Tuesday 15 January 1924.

    The King and Queen of Greece have left Athens for Romania.

    The Prime Minister unveiled a memorial at the Offices of the Board of Trade to the officials of the Board who fell in the Great War, and said that, through all the difficulties of the time, the strength and moderation of character of the British people had shown itself.

  • NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 19 December 1923

    NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 19 December 1923

    19 DECEMBER 1923

    Herbert Asquith, outlining the policy of the Liberal party at a meeting of Liberal MPs in London, said that they would preserve their freedom uncompromised, unfettered and in complete and unassailable integrity.

    A statement was issued by the Foreign Office regarding the future of Tangier, the Convention regarding the permanent neutrality of which has been signed by representatives of Great Britain, France and Spain.

    King George of Greece, as a result of the Republican agitation, has been requested to leave the country until a plebiscite can be taken on the future form of the regime. The King agreed to comply.

  • NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 18 December 1923

    NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 18 December 1923

    18 DECEMBER 1923

    Sir John Lorne MacLeod, presiding at the Greenock Highland Society’s gatherings, referred to the distress in the Highlands and Islands, and said that the time seemed more than ripe for an impartial and dispassionate inquiry, by whatever Government was in power, regarding Highlands conditions in all aspects.

    A circular has been issued by the directors of the North of Scotland Bank giving the terms of a provisional agreement with the Midland Bank for a fusion of their interests.

    In the Greek elections, which passed off quietly, the Liberals have so far secured a large majority over the Republicans.

  • NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 17 December 1923

    NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 17 December 1923

    17 DECEMBER 1923

    Raymond Poincaré, the Prime Minister of France, in his reply to the German Chancellor’s invitation to commence discussions, states that France will not consent to any derogation of the rights of the Reparation Commission, or to consider any settlement which would not be in strict accord with the terms of the Treaty.

    Lord Reading, the Viceroy of India, expressed at Calcutta his hope that their combined desires for India’s welfare would solve the differences between the Provincial Councils and the Administration.

    The National Delegate Conference of the Miners’ Federation have adopted the Executive’s recommendation that a coalfields ballot be taken on the question of terminating or continuing the national wages agreement, and that the men be advised to vote in favour of termination.

  • NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 16 December 1923

    NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 16 December 1923

    16 DECEMBER 1923

    Unemployed members of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers decreased by 2,554.

    The London County Council has approached Sir Reginald Blomfield to collaborate in the design of the proposed new Lambeth Bridge at a fee of £1,500.

  • NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 15 December 1923

    NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 15 December 1923

    15 DECEMBER 1923

    The German Government’s wish to enter into direct negotiations with the Powers occupying the Ruhr territory is welcomed in France as possibly pointing to a solution of the reparations problem.

    Herbert Asquith invited the Liberal members of the new House of Commons to meet him at the National Liberal Club.

    David Lloyd George, the former Prime Minister, referred to the possibility of a vote of no confidence in the Government when Parliament reassembled. He said that he assumed that it would be led by the Socialists as the second party of the State and he added “any attempt at a shallow cleverness to do Labour out of its chance would provoke a resentment which would astonish its perpetrators”.