UN reports threats to peacekeepers, election support in CAR and other field updates

The United Nations briefed on multiple peacekeeping developments. In Lebanon, UNIFIL peacekeepers reported rocket fire toward Israel, air strikes in their area of operations, and incidents including attempts to block convoys and warning shots over UN positions; the spokesman reiterated that all parties must protect peacekeepers and UN facilities.

The briefing said MINUSCA in the Central African Republic has delivered more than 10 metric tons of electoral material to six prefectures ahead of legislative elections scheduled for April 26, supporting the integrated election security plan. In Cyprus, UNFICYP has stepped up patrols and is engaging parties after reports of unauthorized entry into the UN buffer zone on the Pyla Plateau.

The Secretary-General also announced the appointment of a new Ghanaian official as Special Representative and head of mission in South Sudan to succeed the late Nicholas Haysom; the appointee was described as having more than 25 years of UN experience and previous roles in Sudan. Vanessa Frazier, the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, was noted as being in Ukraine this week to discuss protection of children and engagement with civil society.

The UN said it is working with national authorities and partners to finalize election security preparations, maintain patrols in sensitive buffer zones, and support deconfliction and humanitarian access where possible.