YouSaid · the spoken record

Alemu

lines on the record: 1,245
first: 2011-03-10
most recent: 2018-07-30
sittings or episodes: 191
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“We doubt that any delegation could impugn their integrity, but it is very difficult now to conclude that the work has been completed. More work is needed. Because of this and other new cases which need to be investigated, we are convinced that it is vital to renew the mandate of the JIM, and we hope we will be able to do so by overcoming the differences within the Council on the matter. It is only through unity of purpose that the Council can address the threat and use of chemical weapon in Syria, as well as end its further use by any actor.”
2017-11-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8090 (2017) · source
“However, it is important to be fair to the Mechanism and the Leadership Panel. They cannot be asked to deliver more than what they have promised to deliver, pursuant to the method of work that is laid out in annex I of its third report (S/2016/738/Rev.1). What is expected of them is to identify the culprits to the greatest extent possible, and it might not be proper to require that their conclusion meet the standard of overwhelming evidence or even substantial evidence, but for sure it would be fair to expect the conclusion to be in conformity with the standard of sufficient evidence. No doubt, they have covered a lot of ground, and the findings so far cannot in any way be thrown out the window, but they are not definitive. This is a work in progress, for which the Leadership Panel deserves a lot of credit.”
2017-11-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8090 (2017) · source
“It further states that "[s]hould conditions improve, and should it be determined that an on-site investigation would produce valuable new information, a visit could take place in the future" (ibid). The problem is the JIM. has already made its conclusion without having to visit the site, which, by its own admission, could have been of value to the investigation. Now, we should mention that Assistant Secretary- General Mulet said that the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic has provided good cooperation. That was particularly true of the visit of Al-Shayrat air base and its examination of the logbooks and flight information for 4 April 2017. The information secured did not seem to confirm the conclusion that the Mechanism subsequently made, again suggesting the need for more work to be done.”
2017-11-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8090 (2017) · source
“Moreover, the report - both in its analysis and findings - admits that there are irregularities and discrepancies. Some of them, the JIM. accepts, are potentially important. As a result of these and other irregularities in the report itself, we find it difficult, in all fairness and genuine curiosity, to understand how the JIM. could be confident that it has completed its work. Ofcourse, we know that the JIM. was not able to visit the site of the attacks, particularly Khan Shaykhun. Its report acknowledges that a visit to the site could have been of value, but then says - as stated by Assistant Secretary-General Mulet in this meeting - that the security risks "outweighed the possible benefits for the investigation" (ibid., para. 15).”
2017-11-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8090 (2017) · source
“This is important despite the qualification, reiterated by Assistant Secretary-General Mulet a while ago, that it is unlikely. Similarly, based on video footage confirmed to be authentic, the JIM. concluded that the Syrian aircraft was in the "immediate vicinity of Khan Shaykhun between 0630 and 0700 hours on 4 April 4 2017" (ibid., para. 46 (b)). However, the same report states that "[t]o date, the Mechanism has found no specific information confirming whether or not a Syrian Arab Air Force Su-22 operating from Sha'irat airbase launched an aerial attack against Khan Shaykhun" (ibid., para. 31). Again, the JIM. report indicates that the sarin released at Khan Shaykhun was most likely from the original stock of the Syrian Arab Republic. But the report adds that this analysis "would warrant further study" (ibid., para. 45).”
2017-11-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8090 (2017) · source
“It is in that spirit that we have tried to examine the report, which no doubt in many instances is very technical and thus requires some technical knowledge in the area. In fact, the Mechanism has been very careful in its analysis of this very complex situation. The report indicates that it examined two scenarios in detail. Its conclusions flow from those investigations, but it is careful to avoid being definitive. For instance, concerning the crater in Khan Shaykhun, although the report indicates that the crater "had most likely been caused by a heavy object travelling at a high velocity, such as an aerial bomb" (S/2017/904, enclosure, para. 40), it nonetheless adds that the Mechanism "could not rule out the idea that the crater was caused by other means" (ibid., para. 49).”
2017-11-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8090 (2017) · source
“Let me state from the outset that we have the highest respect for the Mechanism and its Leadership Panel. We understand that the Mechanism has been working under extremely challenging circumstances due to a highly sensitive political environment and complex security considerations, as its report rightly stated and as also reiterated by Assistant Secretary-General Mulet today. We respect and appreciate all the efforts and dedication of the Leadership Panel in carrying out its heavy responsibilities in spite of these difficulties, among which is the tremendous time pressure under which they were working. It is therefore totally unfair to expect absolutely flawless work and results, which would obviate the need for members of the Council to ask for further explanation.”
2017-11-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8090 (2017) · source
“The use of chemical weapons by any actor - State or non-State - is not only abhorrent, but also constitutes a serious violation of international law and a major threat to global peace and security. The continued use of chemical weapons in Syria is indeed a source of grave concern, as the latest report of the OPCW Fact-finding Mission in the Syrian Arab Republic (S/2017/905, annex) on the Ltamenah incident confirms, and we join other members in reiterating our condemnation, in the strongest possible terms, of these horrible and dreadful acts. That is why we support any and all efforts to hold those responsible for these heinous crimes accountable on the basis of robust and concrete evidence. In this regard, we thank the Joint Investigative Mechanism for its substantive report.”
2017-11-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8090 (2017) · source
“I thank High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu and the Head of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons-United Nations Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM), Mr. Edmond Mulet, for their respective briefings on the reports presented by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) (S/2017/916, annex) and the OPCW-United Nations Joint Investigative Mechanism (S/2017/904, annex), which we have an obligation to examine and scrutinize very seriously and scrupulously. We appreciate all the efforts that have been made in investigating the use of chemical weapons in Syria, as well as in identifying those responsible for this serious crime. Our position on this issue has been reiterated many times.”
2017-11-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8090 (2017) · source
“In that regard, we believe that triangular cooperation regarding policing among the Security Council, troop- and police-contributing countries and the Secretariat is key to strengthening the effectiveness of United Nations police in peacekeeping. Finally, Ethiopia has made very modest contributions to United Nations police, including police officers who served in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, which just concluded its mandate and which is now transitioning into MINUJUSTH. I want to conclude by reaffirming Ethiopia's commitment to enhancing its participation and contributions to United Nations police in the years ahead.”
2017-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8086 (2017) · source
“Of course, police-contributing countries should ensure that the forces that they deploy in the field - individual police officers, formed police units and specialized police teams - are well trained and equipped in order to implement such mandates. Furthermore, the Secretariat has a key role to play, including through enhancing the effectiveness of strategic generation of police personnel with better planning, appropriate expertise, language skills and operational readiness. Therefore, strengthening United Nations policing operational coherence within the United Nations system remains very important.”
2017-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8086 (2017) · source
“Where mandated, the managing of civilian tasks that United Nations police undertake, including in preventing and addressing violence against women and children in the context of conflict and post-conflict situations, also remain very instrumental. In that regard, the deployment of women police officers will have practical and positive impacts on winning the trust of local communities. That is why increasing the participation of women in United Nations peacekeeping is very important. It is a source of pride to note that Ethiopia is one of the leading contributors in that regard. There is no doubt that peacekeeping mandates related to police activities need to be clear and achievable.”
2017-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8086 (2017) · source
“In particular, their functions in supporting host States through monitoring and restructuring local police forces, training and advising other law enforcement institutions, as well as restoring and promoting public safety and safeguarding the rule of law, have been indispensable. We believe that national ownership should be the guiding principle of United Nations police when supporting host States in building and developing the capacities of local police forces. National capacity gaps of host States should also inform the composition of United Nations police components, particularly during planning, recruitment, the provision of guidance and training.”
2017-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8086 (2017) · source
“We also appreciate what the police component of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur has been doing, as highlighted by Police Commissioner Makotose, including the demonstrated gender sensitivity. United Nations police have become a vital component ofpeacekeeping, particularly in carrying out mandated tasks related to supporting the capacities of host States' law enforcement institutions. The role that United Nations police components play in facilitating the transitions from peacekeeping to development and peacebuilding is also very crucial. Past and recent experiences, such as in Liberia, as well as in other cases, show the demonstrable success of United Nations police in peacebuilding and sustaining peace.”
2017-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8086 (2017) · source
“Ethiopia recognizes the important role that United Nations police play in promoting stability and long- term development in countries affected by conflict. The landscape where United Nations peacekeepers are deployed today has changed dramatically. The significance of United Nations police has never been as critical as now, in the light of the corresponding change in conflict dynamics, the transformation in the size and complexity of peacekeeping mandates and the evolving trends towards multidimensional peacekeeping. During our visit to the countries of the Group of Five for the Sahel, we got a close-up look at the critical role played by the MINUSMA police component in Mali. We agree with what Commissioner Yacouba said earlier.”
2017-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8086 (2017) · source
“We express appreciation to the Italian presidency for taking the initiative to organize this briefing meeting on the activities of United Nations police forces. We thank Under-Secretary-General Jean- Pierre Lacroix for his briefing. We are also grateful to the three Police Commissioners - from the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) and the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur - for sharing their field experiences. My delegation has no doubt that we have indeed benefited from their briefings. We welcome the adoption of resolution 2382 (2017) and commend Italy, as the penholder, for facilitating the negotiations on the resolution, which we hope will contribute to enhancing the role of United Nations police.”
2017-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8086 (2017) · source
“I would like to conclude by affirming Ethiopia's commitment to working with all the relevant parties in addressing some of the root causes of forced displacement in our subregion, as well as to continue providing international protection to refugees in Ethiopia and maintaining an open-door policy towards refugees.”
2017-11-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8083 (2017) · source
“That will be critical in creating conditions that are conducive to further repatriation and reintegration of Somali refugees in Somalia. At the end of the day, there is no better approach than prevention, as well as sustaining peace and addressing root causes to ensure that meaningful progress is made to tackle the vexing challenge of refugees, and the displacement of people in general. The High Commissioner is right in highlighting that aspect of the challenge we face and in his emphasis on prevention. Of course, no meaningful progress can be made when the issue is politicized, as often happens. Our region has not been entirely free from that, which only complicates matters. Part of the remedy is for the Council to maintain unity in the initiative it takes to address displacement issues.”
2017-11-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8083 (2017) · source
“Furthermore, countries emerging from conflicts certainly need sustained international support; for instance, reports from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees during this session of the General Assembly indicate that approximately 34,000 Somali refugees have returned to Somalia in 2016, while the fragility, instability and insecurity of the country continue to affect its reabsorption capacity and to hamper further voluntary returns. In our view, the voluntary return of Somali refugees will be sustainable only with the continued support of the international community in maintaining peace and security in the country, particularly with sustained support to the Federal Government of Somalia and in fighting Al-Shabaab.”
2017-11-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8083 (2017) · source
“In that regard, tackling the root causes of some of the protracted refugee situations, and thereby facilitating conditions for voluntary repatriation and return, as well as the reintegration of refugees, is absolutely imperative. That serves to underscore the need to find durable political solutions to conflicts so as to ensure that people are not compelled to flee their countries of origin in the first place in order to find safety as a result of conflict, terrorism and violent extremism.”
2017-11-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8083 (2017) · source
“While commending the generosity of countries that offer resettlement for refugees, which remains indispensable in terms of sharing the burden with countries that host large numbers of refugees, the number of resettlement opportunities remains minimal. As such, with the difficulty in financing refugee response plans in such countries, and with limited resettlement opportunity at the global level, the voluntary repatriation and reintegration of refugees continues to be the preferred solution in the majority of refugee situations. We believe it is important to create favourable conditions for the sustainable, voluntary return of refugees to their countries of origin and to ensure the safety and security of returnees.”
2017-11-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8083 (2017) · source
“Countries hosting large numbers of refugees, such as mine, continue to open up their borders to refugees and to provide international protection through the provision of employment opportunities, out-of-camp policies and self-reliance schemes. That is also in line with the commitment that we made at the United Nations Global Compact Leaders Summit in 2016. However, we continue to face serious challenges in funding programmes that support refugees - for instance, Ethiopia's refugee response plan for the year 2017 has a funding gap of 75 per cent, which will impact the integrity of humanitarian assistance and has so far resulted in food cuts of 19 per cent.”
2017-11-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8083 (2017) · source
“The recent surge in the number ofrefugees and internally displaced persons has created unprecedented challenges, and the burden on countries hosting large numbers of refugees is constantly increasing, something that is often overlooked. The great deficit in burden-sharing must be recognized - I am more or less repeating here what the High Commissioner already stressed. I also agree with what he said about the need for a speedy resolution of the political problem in South Sudan. The matter of burden-sharing and enhanced cooperation in the search for international protection and a durable solution - that is, local integration, resettlement and voluntary repatriation and reintegration for refugees - is more urgent than ever before.”
2017-11-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8083 (2017) · source
“The number of forcibly displaced persons in Africa continues to increase, primarily due to conflict, persecution and a lack ofdurable solutions. The Security Council missions to the Lake Chad basin and the Sahel region certainly helped to enhance our understanding of the enormity of the challenge. In our subregion, with nearly 1 million refugees and 1.5 million internally displaced persons, Somalia has remained one of the most protracted displacement situations in the world. However, with the ongoing conflict in neighbouring South Sudan, Ethiopia, as well as other neighbouring countries, is receiving large numbers of South Sudanese refugees.”
2017-11-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8083 (2017) · source
“We are very pleased to see the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, and we appreciate his briefing on the challenges and the way forward regarding international protection for refugees and other forcibly displaced persons. We appreciate the work he has done since assuming the heavy responsibility of leading that critical agency, all the more so today when the challenge has become so enormous. Reports of the unprecedented levels of global forced displacement, which have surpassed the number of persons forcibly displaced as a result of the Second World War, are indeed very alarming. Even more worrying is that there is no encouraging trend, neither with respect to the conditions causing such displacement nor the response at the global level to address the challenge.”
2017-11-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8083 (2017) · source
“1 start by vehemently condemning the terrrorist attack in New York and expressing solidarity with the United States. As this is the first meeting of the month, I would like to congratulate Italy on its assumption of the presidency of the Security Council and to pledge the fullest support of my delegation. I also wish to express our appreciation to France for its very successful presidency last month, and in particular for the very timely initiative to try to shine a light on the security and other related challenges facing the member States of the Group of Five for the Sahel. We thank the Italian presidency for organizing this important briefing on the issue of refugees, which has become one of the most pressing challenges of our time.”
2017-11-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8083 (2017) · source
“I would like to conclude my remarks by affirming the commitment of Ethiopia to continuing its work with relevant actors to ensure the protection of children in armed conflict, including here in the Council and at the level of the African Union.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“As a major troop-contributing country, Ethiopia has taken various measures in order to ensure the protection of children in areas where our troops are deployed. Our troops are guided by the rules of engagement, which are elaborated within the framework of our obligations under international humanitarian law, particularly the 1949 Geneva Conventions and Protocols Additional I and II. We have also put in place a mechanism to ensure accountability and address any violations by our troops deployed in any mission. Over the years, that framework has enabled us to address any protection challenges. As one of the largest refugee-hosting countries, we also continue to provide international protection to refugee children, including unaccompanied minors who are forcibly displaced as a result of grave violations by parties to armed conflicts.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“With the upcoming appointment of a special rapporteur in December, such consultative meetings will play a critical role in responding to the protection challenges associated with children affected by armed conflicts in Africa. In that context, we would like to encourage the Special Representative of the Secretary- General to explore mechanisms to further strengthen the cooperation of her Office with the African Union Peace and Security Council, including in the context of such consultative meetings aimed at ensuring the full implementation of plans of action signed with parties to armed conflicts and the follow-up of the conclusions of the Security Council Working Group pursuant to resolution 1612 (2005), as well as the mainstreaming of child protection.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“That will require strengthened support from development actors to countries emerging from conflicts, as well as to large refugee-hosting countries. Fourthly, much more needs to be done to enhance cooperation between the Security Council and regional and subregional organizations. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict could play a critical role in exploring mechanisms to further strengthen such cooperation. For instance, in our region, since 2014, consultative meetings focused on the protection of children in armed conflicts were held between the African Union Peace and Security Council and the African Committee on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“Ensuring that special measures are taken to protect children when they are detained, regardless of the reason for their deprivation of liberty, is important. That is particularly relevant in relation to children associated with terrorist or violent extremist groups. Thirdly, internally displaced and refugee children often become unaccompanied and are more vulnerable to forced recruitment, sexual Violence, exploitation, deprivation of liberty and ill treatment during detention. They must be treated with special care, bearing in mind their needs in terms of access to shelter, food, clean water, health care, education and the provision of official documentation, without which they may be at risk of becoming stateless. Much more needs to be done in finding durable solutions to those internally displaced and refugee children.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“First, the implementation of national action plans, particularly in the area ofsecuring the release ofchildren associated with armed forces and armed groups, as well as ensuring their disarmament, demobilization and reintegration ,will require sustained engagement and support, which could include, inter alia, ensuring the availability of child protection advisers in situations of armed conflict and operationalizing such action plans. Secondly, international humanitarian law requires parties to an armed conflict to treat children associated with armed groups, including those engaged in violent extremism, as Victims entitled to full protection of their human rights and to urgently put in place alternatives to the detention and prosecution of children. Children should be detained only as a last resort, and for the shortest period necessary.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“While welcoming the signing of action plans by parties to armed conflict, we note with concern issues associated with their implementation, particularly as a result of armed conflict and limited support in disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of children, including those associated with terrorist groups. While noting the recommendations identified by the Secretary-General in his report, we would like to focus on four points that, in our View, could contribute to strengthening the protection of children in armed conflict.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“Grave Violations by terrorist groups, such as Boko Haram and the Al-Shabaab, in relation to recruitment and use in asymmetric warfare, particularly the use of children as suicide bombers, continue to pose a serious protection challenge, including to United Nations peacekeeping missions. We also note with serious concern the impact of armed conflict and grave violations by parties to armed conflicts on children resulting in their forcible displacement and serious protection challenges. Ms. Gamba and Mr. Shaikh highlighted the challenges faced in that area. It would be difficult after having heard them to add much that be very meaningful. I wish to thank them again.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“We welcome the adoption of the presidential statement (S/PRST/2017/21) on children in armed conflict and we look forward to the compilation of comprehensive best practices on the mandate on children and armed conflict, including practical guidance on the integration of child protection issues in peace processes. We note with serious concern the continued grave Violations against children in armed conflicts, particularly in relation to recruitment and use, killing and maming, as well as humanitarian access, as highlighted in the report of the Secretary-General (S/2017/821) on children and armed conflict.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“We thank France and you, Mr. President, for convening this open debate, which is a demonstration of France's commitment to this noble cause. We also wish to express our appreciation to Sweden for its efforts as Chair of the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict. I want to take this opportunity to thank the Swedish Minister for her commitment and that of her country. I wish to thank the Secretary-General for being with us today and for his briefing. I also want to express appreciation to the other briefers, Ms. Virginia Gamba and Mr. Mubin Shaikh.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“Overall, the close coordination of the G-5 Sahel countries with other regional actors, the African Union and the United Nations, as well as the support of other bilateral and multilateral partners, is key to the success of the Force. The multifaceted challenges facing the Sahel region, as stressed in the Secretary-General's report, can be effectively addressed only through a comprehensive strategy thatO encompasses security, governance, development, human rights and humanitarian issues. Therefore, the rapid and effective implementation of the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel, as called for in resolution 2359 (2017), is absolutely critical. We hope that countries of the region, in cooperation with bilateral and multilateral partners, will redouble their efforts in implementing the Strategy.”
2017-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8080 (2017) · source
“We therefore hope the Council will seriously consider the options proposed by the Secretary-General, which were developed by drawing lessons from previous experiences, and make appropriate decisions soon. The Security Council should be ambitious, as the Secretary-General said earlier. We fully agree with the Secretary-General on the complementarity of the Joint Force and the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), with proposed options for support to the Joint Force also benefitting the work of MINUSMA. We also agree with him on the need to ensure cooperation and interoperability of the Joint Force with other operations and frameworks, including the African Union-led, Nouakchott process, Operation Barkhane and MINUSMA.”
2017-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8080 (2017) · source
“We look forward to the holding of the Brussels donor conference in December, in line with resolution 2359 (2017), which we hope will contribute to mobilizing additional support for the G-5 Sahel countries. We commend the Secretary-General for his commitment to be personally involved in the resource mobilization endeavour, and welcome the various options that he has proposed for possible United Nations support to the G-5 Sahel Joint Force. It is indeed vital that the Council support this important regional initiative, which adds greater significance to the fight against terrorism and transnational organized crime. After having visited the countries in the region and witnessing firsthand the multiple and complex challenges they are facing, the importance and urgency of the matter cannot be overemphasized.”
2017-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8080 (2017) · source
“That is why we believe there is an urgent need to mobilize international support for the G-5 Sahel. In that regard, we note the commitments made by some bilateral and multilateral partners in financing the Joint Force. We appreciate the efforts by France and Germany to mobilize additional support by hosting planning meetings in support of the G-5 Sahel Joint Force, and welcome the pledge made by European Union member States to provide various forms of technical and logistical support. However, what has so far been pledged falls far short of what is required to cover the preliminary budget required to sustain the Force for one year, as indicated in the report of the Secretary-General.”
2017-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8080 (2017) · source
“The G-5 Sahel countries have demonstrated their commitment to fighting terrorism and transnational organized crime by mobilizing their forces and allocating their limited resources. We take note of the efforts that they have made to fully operationalize their Joint Forces, but we recognize the enormous constraints they face in doing so. The challenges and threats to peace and security in the Sahel region are not only a matter of concern to the G-5 Sahel countries, but has broader implications for international peace and security. It is not very difficult to imagine the consequences if we fail to address the situation in the region by assisting the efforts of the G-5 Sahel countries, and we cannot agree more with what the Secretary-General said in that regard.”
2017-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8080 (2017) · source
“Of course, we are very pleased to have Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat with us via video-teleconference during this very important occasion and to listen to his views on the challenges faced by the G-5 Sahel countries, We appreciate his leadership and commitment to supporting the Sahel region within the framework of the African Union Peace and Security Architecture. We are also very pleased to see Minister Abdoulaye Diop of Mali, the rotating Chair of the G-5 Sahel, who only a few days ago welcomed us in Bamako. We also wish to welcome his colleagues, the other ministers of the G-5 Sahel member States. I must acknowledge with thanks the hospitality we enjoyed it in Mauritania and Burkina Faso.”
2017-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8080 (2017) · source
“We welcome the report (S/2017/869) of the Secretary- General pursuant to resolution to 2359 (2017) on the activities of the G-5 Sahel Joint Force, including on its operationalization, on challenges encountered and on options concerning possible United Nations support for the Force. We wish to thank the Secretary-General for his report, for today's briefing and for his demonstrated efforts to try to address the challenges facing the Sahel region as a matter of priority. No doubt, his commitment in that regard is partly the result of the conviction that what happens in the G-5 Sahel region has broader and global implications. 1 must stress that there is a full convergence of views on the matter with the Chairperson ofthe African Union Commission.”
2017-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8080 (2017) · source
“We appreciate the French presidency for organizing this ministerial-level meeting on the situation in the States of the Group of Five for the Sahel (G-5 Sahel). We very much appreciate the presence among us of the French Minister and his presiding over the meeting. We also welcome the participation of other ministers at the meeting. This meeting could not be more timely or relevant, coming as it does after the Security Council mission to the G-5 Sahel region. The visit has certainly helped the Council have a far more comprehensive understanding of the enormity of the challenges faced by the G-5 Sahel countries and reinforced the appreciation of the need to fully and speedily operationalize Joint Force, with the support of the international community.”
2017-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8080 (2017) · source
“Our visit to the Force headquarters in Sevare showed us the degree of its readiness to get up and get going. The infrastructure there is ready, but there is a great need for support, and there can be no arguing that it is a need that the Security Council and the international community have a responsibility to respond to. I should add that we constantly reminded our interlocutors of the value of ownership and action on their part, in line with what is stated in the Mission's terms of reference.”
2017-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8077 (2017) · source
“He said that there was no alternative to the Joint Force of the G-5 Sahel, urged for its speedy deployment and appealed to the Council for meaningful support as soon as possible. He underlined the importance of establishing a sustainable funding mechanism and creating a dedicated support office to be financed through United Nations assessed contributions. He reminded Council members that the problem of the Sahel region is an international crisis that should receive international attention and an international response. In conclusion, as I said at the beginning, the visit was both timely and very necessary. The countries of the Group of Five for the Sahel have shown that they are determined to carry the burden of the problem as far as their capacity allows. Each has already made a first contribution of â‚¬10 million.”
2017-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8077 (2017) · source
“He emphasized the importance of the Joint Force of the G-5 Sahel and how critical it has become to their efforts, the same narrative that we heard both in Mali and Mauritania. He also informed us that his Government was actively participating in establishing strategic security corridors based on the shared objective of defeating terrorism. With respect to the four options forwarded by the Secretary-General, the President made it clear that his choice is option one. He argued that after the Force's operationalization they would need sustainable and determined support. In terms of the challenges his country faces, he emphasized that every country of the region, not just his own, suffers from the generally porous borders, which have become convenient for terrorists and criminals.”
2017-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8077 (2017) · source
“She also emphasized that as far as its resources allowed, the country was building the capacity of its security forces by ensuring access to adequate equipment and training and providing reasonably effective administrative services in every part of the country, with special focus on the remote northern and north-eastern border areas. However, she also said that the burden has been too heavy, the negative impact on the economy has been huge and the need for international cooperation is critical. Council members then held a fruitful interactive dialogue with the President, who said that the only way that they will be able to succeed in the fight against the challenges of terrorism is through coordination with other countries of the region.”
2017-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8077 (2017) · source
“One salient matter that should not be overlooked is how well organized and methodical the Burkinabe leadership is. It has a strategy for addressing the challenge that the country and the region are facing. Council members were briefed on what the Government is doing to address the menace of terrorism, including through efforts to eliminate conditions that are conducive to terrorism and the activities of traffickers and transnational criminals, with a focus on the Sahelian region of the country. In that connection, the Minister of Economy stressed that a separate policy and socioeconomic development strategy and plan are being prepared to address the crushing inequality in the Sahelian region.”
2017-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8077 (2017) · source
“Terrorists, they said, were working around the clock to end the presence of service providers with the objective of undermining State authority. The Ministers also emphasized that terrorist attacks had been increasing in frequency during 2016 and 2017, including through the use of improvised explosive devices as well as other makeshift mines, which are usually very difficult to detect. They told us that more than 100 people had been killed in about 18 attacks in different parts of the country, mostly in the North. They underlined the fact that more than 85 per cent of those attacks came directly from Mali. The Minister of Homeland Security described the Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger border triangle, in particular, as highly volatile.”
2017-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8077 (2017) · source