UN Security council to focus on Mali

Guatemala’s UN Ambassador, Gert Rosenthal, who holds the Security Council rotating presidency this month, says the Council will shift its focus to the situation in Mali. On Thursday, there will be a preliminary review of how the Security Council should tackle the various challenges posed by Mali. Rosenthal says the levels of human rights abuses, human trafficking, arms smuggling and poverty there are disturbing. The Council is also expected to hold three open debates in October on world peace and security. They will centre around women, the Middle East and the rule of law. The situation in Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan are also on the agenda. The UN Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson, told reporters the situation between Sudan and South Sudan has improved, due to a recent deal on borders and oil.