“Aleppo is now a synonym for hell,” Ban said here yesterday, bidding farewell to the UN press corps.
“We have collectively failed the people of Syria. Peace will only prevail when it is accompanied by compassion, justice and accountability for the abominable crimes we have seen,” Ban said.
On another front, he noted that this week will mark the third year of conflict in South Sudan, and he deplored that “the country’s leaders have betrayed their people’s trust, and squandered a peace agreement.”
“Most immediately, my Special Adviser (on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng) has warned of the risk of genocide,” he said, urging the UN Security Council to take more concerted action, including through punitive measures.
Ban will complete his 10-year service as the world’s top diplomat on December 31, passing the baton to his successor Antonio Guterres, who was sworn in this past week.
“This has been a decade of unceasing test,” he said.
