Washington: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently engaged in a discussion addressing shared security concerns in Haiti, Somalia, and Yemen. During a phone call, the two leaders focused on the ongoing challenges affecting these regions, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation to achieve stability.

According to Anadolu Agency, Blinken underscored the progress made by the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti. He emphasized the importance of transitioning the MSS to a UN peacekeeping operation to provide sustainable security support for the Haitian people. Haiti continues to face significant challenges, including a surge in gang violence exacerbated by the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021.

The conversation also covered funding options for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Somalia is plagued by a prolonged series of terrorist attacks, notably by al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-linked
group. Blinken and Guterres explored ways to secure the release of UN, diplomatic, and nongovernmental organization staff detained by the Houthis in Yemen.

Blinken conveyed gratitude to Guterres for his leadership and collaborative efforts in addressing these pressing issues. The arrest of six UN human rights staff, along with seven other UN personnel, on June 6 was highlighted by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).