Global Innovation Index 2019 & other topics - Daily Briefing (24 July 2019)

Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Security Council
- South Sudan
- Liberia
- Afghanistan
- Syria
- Resident Coordinators
- Innovation
D.R. CONGO/SECURITY COUNCIL
In her briefing to the Security Council this morning, Leila Zerrougui, the head of the peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, highlighted progress in the political situation, notably the President’s efforts to enact reforms and improve collaboration with neighboring countries.
But she also pointed out the “laborious” negotiations for the formation of a new government and called on all parties to resolve their differences.
Ms. Zerrougui reminded Members of the Council that the DRC is still facing simultaneous emergencies.
She expressed her concern with the current security situation in Ituri, where, she says, spoilers are seeking to play on ethnic tensions to instigate inter-community violence. She also pointed out the intolerable toll caused by ADF attacks on civilians.
In addition to massive displacements, the Special Representative mentioned a measles outbreak that has claimed the lives of more than 2,000 people since the beginning of the year.
On Ebola, she underlined that the challenges faced by responders go well beyond the disease itself. Factors complicating the response include the activities of armed groups, including the ADF and Mai-Mai, along with continuing high levels of distrust by communities. “This confluence of factors has resulted in a deadly environment for the people working to counter Ebola,” the Special Representative told Council members.
MONUSCO is leading a united UN approach to respond to the Ebola outbreak, and, among other things, provides support to Congolese troops to secure the affected areas.
The World Health Organization said there are no new Ebola cases in Goma and new outside the DRC’s borders.
This afternoon, the Council will hear a briefing by Mohammed Ibn Chambas on developments in West Africa and the Sahel.

SOUTH SUDAN
Our peacekeeping colleague tells us that the UN Mission in South Sudan has deployed an urgent peacekeeping patrol following reports of clashes in Lobonok in Central Equatoria state.
The patrol aims to assess the impact of the violence on civilians, who may have been displaced, and will remain in the area for several days to help deter any further fighting.
The Mission is concerned about the fighting and is urging all parties to put down their weapons. The Mission is also calling on all parties to work together to prevent an escalation in tensions and to fully implement the peace agreement signed last September.
The Mission says that political violence has declined significantly across South Sudan since the signing of the peace agreement, with the exception of Central Equatoria.
Full Highlights: