Sudan, Abyei, Ukraine & other topics - Daily Press Briefing (7 April 2026) | United Nations

Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. Highlights: Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda Lebanon The UN Interim Force in Lebanon Lebanon/Humanitarian Occupied Palestinian Territory Sudan Abyei Deputy Secretary-General/Travels Democratic Republic of the Congo Ukraine Haiti Mediterranean shipwrecks International Day/Health Day GENOCIDE AGAINST TUTSI IN RWANDA Today is the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda. This year marks 32 years since one of the darkest chapters in human history. In 100 days, more than one million people were systematically killed, overwhelmingly Tutsi, but also Hutu and others who opposed the genocide. Today, we honour the memory of those who were murdered and stand with the survivors. This morning, a ceremony was held in the General Assembly Hall, organized by the Department of Global Communications in cooperation with the Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the United Nations. The Chef de Cabinet Courtenay Rattray delivered remarks on behalf of the Secretary-General, underscoring that the genocide shows where this path can lead, when words are weaponized and the world waits too long to respond. The Secretary-General stressed that we must do more than remember the dead, we must protect the living by defending truth and rejecting the narratives that make violence seem acceptable. He called on all countries to become parties to the Genocide Convention without delay and to implement it fully. LEBANON Regarding the incidents on 29 and 30 March, which tragically took the lives of three of brave peacekeepers from Indonesia, Major Zulmi Aditya Iskandar, First Sergeant Muhammad Nur Ichwan, and Corporal Farizal Rhomadon, the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General shared the preliminary findings of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon at this stage. The UN has shared these preliminary findings with the Government of Indonesia, as well as Israel and Lebanon. Regarding the incident on 29 March, based on the available evidence, including analysis of the impact site and notably the fragments of the projectile discovered in United Nations position 7-1, the projectile was a 120 mm tank main armament round, fired by an Israel Defense Forces Merkava tank from the east, in the direction of Ett Taibe. It is recalled that, to mitigate the risk to United Nations personnel, UNIFIL had again provided the Israel Defense Forces with the coordinates of all its positions and facilities on 6 March and 22 March. With reference to the incident on 30 March, based on the available evidence, including analysis of the site of the explosion, the impacted vehicle, and a second improvised explosive device (IED) discovered nearby the same day, the explosion was caused by a victim-activated (tripwire) IED. The investigation has assessed that, given the location of the incident, the nature of the explosion, and the current context, the IED was most likely placed by Hezbollah. The Spokesperson reiterated that these are preliminary findings, based on initial physical evidence. The full investigation processes of the UN continue, including required procedures and engagement with the parties concerned to understand the full context and circumstances amidst ongoing hostilities, and Boards of Inquiry will be convened in both cases, in accordance with established UN procedures.  The UN reiterates its deepest condolences to the families of the fallen peacekeepers and the Government of Indonesia, wishing for a full recovery to all those injured in these and other incidents. These incidents are unacceptable. The UN has requested with the relevant parties that the cases be investigated and prosecuted by national authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure criminal accountability for crimes against peacekeepers. Attacks on United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law. All actors must adhere to their obligations to ensure the safety and security of the peacekeepers at all times. The inviolability of United Nations installations must be respected. Full highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-04-07


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