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

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“The experience in cote d'Ivoire highlights the same trend in a more graphic manner. Those are indeed ad hoc arrangements that lack the underpinnings of well thought-out and agreed principles and doctrine. That is why it is difficult, for now, to think of abandoning the principles that have been the basis for classical peacekeeping. However, we cannot pretend that there are no problems with respect to the way in which those principles are interpreted and applied. That also requires some serious thinking, ifwe are to rectify the situation. Thailand has already mentioned some of the points I would like to raise in that regard.”
2014-06-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7196 (2014) · source
“That would be a tragedy indeed, as United Nations peacekeeping continues to be a vital means for promoting peace, security and stability. However, the work of finding and developing universally agreed concepts, doctrine and strategies for new practices in peacekeeping must be speeded up. Current peacekeeping practices are displaying certain anomalies that do not help to enhance the credibility of United Nations peacekeeping. In some instances, the deployment of Blue Helmets is considered to inappropriate because, the argument goes, there is no peace to keep. However, increasingly, as experiences in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Mali have shown, developments on the ground have made it imperative to use force beyond what is required for self- defence.”
2014-06-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7196 (2014) · source
“I also wish to express my appreciation to the Secretary-General for his statement earlier and to commend his leadership. It is obvious that, at the intergovernmental level, the task of formulating the concepts and strategies of peacekeeping in the new period we seem to be in belongs to the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations. Undoubtedly, the Special Committee would have to be up to the task, for the task is indeed very critical. The contribution of the Secretary-General is also going to be indispensable in that exercise. In what follows, I want to highlight how urgent this new thinking about peacekeeping is becoming. Failure to adopt this new thinking might eventually discredit the entire idea of United Nations peacekeeping operations.”
2014-06-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7196 (2014) · source
“Permit me to begin by expressing appreciation to the Russian Federation for organizing today's open debate on the important topic of new trends in peacekeeping under the agenda item entitled "United Nations Peacekeeping Operations". We also thank you, Mr. President, for the concept note (S/2014/3 84, annex), which is extremely useful and raises most of the pertinent issues in connection with new trends in peacekeeping. The concern expressed and the reference made in the concept paper to the fragmented nature of the approach towards the new developments that United Nations peacekeeping is called upon to respond to, appear to us to be very valid and pertinent. The fact that such concerns call for a serious look into the whole concept of peacekeeping, including doctrine and principles, is becoming undeniable.”
2014-06-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7196 (2014) · source
“It is very difficult as well to argue that the United Nations record in this area has been sterling. Perhaps what is critical now is to undertake a frank assessment of what we have done over the past 15 years, where we are now and how we wish to proceed to ensure that the protection of civilians in armed conflict is a genuine commitment devoid of the inclination to politicize the issue.”
2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source
“Of course, based on the latest developments in our region, we would be mindless to ignore the failure of States to provide protection to civilians. That requires extensive analysis, for another day. But different situations should not be conflated, and context matters. Where there are strong State institutions, undue overtures to non-State actors might contribute to the weakening of States, thus compounding the challenge of providing protection to civilians. Undoubtedly, the protection of civilians in armed conflict is becoming more, not less, complex and difficult. Technological progress and resort to various methods of waging war have made the challenge ever more complicated. Let us be frank a few States can claim to have fully met their international obligations in protecting civilians.”
2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source
“The reports of the Secretary-General rely heavily on the work of the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights to find ways of ensuring compliance by non-State armed groups with international law. In our view, that goes overboard in seeking with incentives with which to cajole non-State armed groups into offering their cooperation. It seems clear that the result of all of that is the partial undermining of State authority. In the long run, the cause of the protection of civilians also suffers. That brings us back to what I said at the beginning with respect to the gap in how the role of the State is presented in the reports of the Secretary-General. We in the IGAD region have had a lot of experience in that regard.”
2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source
“The cause of the protection of civilians suffers as a result. There is also sound justification for objecting to the way in which one of the five challenges mentioned in the report (S/2013/689) of the Security-General is supposed to be promoted. This relates to what is referred to as enhancing compliance of non-State armed groups with international law. First of all, that fails to make a distinction between situations where States have collapsed and situations where there are States fully capable of discharging their responsibilities but which might face difficulties with respect to some part of their territories and for a given duration of time.”
2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source
“That is critical, including from the point of view of enhancing trust - which is a critical element in this endeavour - between humanitarian agencies of all kinds and their workers, on one hand, and the concerned States, on the other. Another challenge is the need to enhance transparency with respect to the way in which those who take up the noble task of protecting civilians in armed conflicts as a vocation carry out their activities. It must be emphasized that while indeed there are those who take their responsibility and calling seriously, there are also adventurist types who are there to help what they take to be the underdog and give scant attention to the concerns of State authorities. The result is suspicion directed at the activities of those who carry out their obligation with scrupulous neutrality.”
2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source
“I will come back to that shortly, but first permit me to make a general comment on the five challenges to ensuring more effective protection for civilians that have been underlined by the Secretary-General in his various reports. While all five challenges - enhancing compliance by parties to conflict with international law, enhancing compliance by non-State armed groups, enhancing protection through United Nations peacekeeping missions, improving humanitarian access, and enhancing accountability for violations - are all extremely relevant, one wonders nonetheless if there are no other challenges that are possibly equally relevant. From our experience in the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) region, it appears necessary to stress the value of respecting the principles of international law governing inter-State relations.”
2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source
“There can be no higher obligation than protecting civilians - women, the young and the old - during times of armed conflict. As mentioned earlier, the protection of civilians is also a treaty obligation that all self-respecting nations have a responsibility to scrupulously observe. I am deliberately stressing the role of the State in this context because States obviously have the primary responsibility for ensuring the protection of civilians in times of armed conflict. I do so also because in the various reports of the Secretary-General on the matter there appears to be a yawning gap with respect to the way in which the role of the State is presented.”
2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source
“Iwish to thank the Lithuanian delegation for taking the initiative to convene today's open debate on a very serious issue that has been the subject of a series of debates in the Security Council for almost 15 years, but with little progress to show. Clearly, it is very difficult to make progress on such a complex and difficult issue. The protection of civilians in armed conflicts is a treaty obligation under international humanitarian law and international human rights law, which States have the responsibility to respect and observe. But few treaty- based obligations are as abused and overlooked as the obligation to protect civilians in armed conflicts. That is a real tragedy, and it highlights how much we have failed as an international community.”
2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source
“It is for African leaders, in their wisdom, to draw the proper conclusions from this episode, which cannot be seen as a proud chapter in relations between Africa and the Security Council - not that we have had too many proud chapters, anyway. That Rwanda, as a member of the Council, together with its two other African brotherly countries, Morocco and Togo, has spearheaded that effort is indeed another paradox. But we do not lose hope easily. We will persevere and our unity is our strength - the strength we want to use to advance the principles of democracy in international governance, including in the area of security.”
2013-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7060 (2013) · source
“But it is through effective partnership that we can thrive. The progress achieved in Somalia, the Sudan, South Sudan, Mali and others would not have been happened without that partnership. Over the past few weeks, as a continent, we tried to ask, in a spirit of partnership, that we be understood, and that the united calls of all African nations be heeded on a matter of great importance to Africa's peace and security. The response we just received is bound to make Africa draw the logical conclusion as to how quite a few in the Security Council have difficulty in seeing Africa exercise ownership of its policies and strategies for peace and security of the continent. That does not make anyone hopeful about the future.”
2013-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7060 (2013) · source
“They are wrong, and they have offended Africa, an Africa that has not only expressed its commitment to fighting impunity and to fidelity to constitutionalism, but has demonstrated those commitments in practice. In other words, for African leaders not to be trusted - and that is what the decision of the Security Council amounts to - is a paradox that perhaps highlights the challenge we still face in creating effective international cooperation to secure a peaceful world. We do not want to be misunderstood here. We do not claim that there has been no cooperation between us and that Africa has not benefited from it. It has, and it is indebted for that. But support, no matter how important, should not lead to loss of ownership. There is no doubt that Africa has also shown how much it is prepared to handle its problems.”
2013-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7060 (2013) · source
“"Africa tolerates impunity" is the mantra of those who still want to engage Africa as teachers, not as equals - a throwback to an earlier period that we all want to forget, but must draw lessons from. The AU may not be, for obvious reasons, strong enough to address all the challenges Africa is facing in ensuring peace and security in the entire continent. That is why we remain grateful to all those who have been helping us to make progress in that area. We are not unmindful of those contributions, including, most significantly, the contributions of those in the Council who felt that on the critical question of deferral they should not be with us.”
2013-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7060 (2013) · source
“Have African countries been found wanting when it comes to the question of justice and combating impunity? If truth be told, although we are not perfect, our recent performance in that regard makes us second to none. The fact that we put our money where our mouth is has been confirmed time and time again. The AU is not a State-centric organization that allows sovereignty to be used as a shield for impunity. One of the solemn obligations of member States is to allow "the right of the Union to intervene in a member State pursuant to the decision of the Assembly in respect to grave circumstances, namely, war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity".”
2013-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7060 (2013) · source
“Let us not kid ourselves; abstention under the circumstances amounts precisely to that - rejection. I want to go back and talk a little bit about what I said earlier with respect to the failure of the Council to give even the benefit of the doubt to African leaders. Obviously, what we see here is essentially the question of trust being the elephant in the kitchen. The lack of trust in the ability of Africa to strike the proper balance between security and justice must be suspected to be the major source of the problem. How else would the Security Council tell African leaders that their concern about the peace and security of Kenya and the region has no legitimate basis? The empirical reality supports African leaders, and recent developments have in fact accentuated the concern.”
2013-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7060 (2013) · source
“At the risk of boring members, because this was also said by my Minister when he addressed the Council in the interactive dialogue, the Security Council, in its press statement issued on 21 September, while condemning the Westgate terrorist attack in Nairobi, said: "The members of the Security Council reaffirm that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security." (SC/11129) During times such as these, the Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces ought to be given support, rather than distracted by a body whose track record on African matters has not exactly been the kind that inspires confidence. The African request could not be rejected on legitimate grounds.”
2013-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7060 (2013) · source
“No doubt, what Africa was asking was within the law. Article 16 of the Rome Statute gives authority to the Security Council to secure deferral of cases under the ICC remit for a period of 12 months by exercising its power under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations. There is no doubt for us in Africa, who live next door to Kenya, that the situation in Kenya and the region merits a favourable response from the Council.”
2013-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7060 (2013) · source
“They tried to convince the Council that this was not a Kenyan matter but an African one, which has given rise to a great deal of concern with respect to the peace, stability and security of Kenya and the region. Our Ministers emphasized that, given the delicate situation in the region in connection with the continuing terrorist threat, the distraction of the attention of the two Kenyan leaders from their leadership obligation would represent a grave threat to regional peace and security. The position of African leaders is that the continuation ofthe ICC process itselfconstitutes a threat to the peace and security of the region in Kenya. The logic is compelling, as the representative of Pakistan said earlier so eloquently. It cannot be questioned that African leaders are closer to Kenyan leaders than most others.”
2013-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7060 (2013) · source
“That is what has been denied them by the rest of the Council members, in some of which we had great confidence indeed that they would contribute to raising the level of trust between Africa and the Council. The argument that there are other alternatives cannot be taken as a serious argument. What Africa has asked is for the Council to exercise its authority and carry out its responsibilities. The African case for deferral was made by our Ministers in the Contact Group when they had the opportunity a while ago to engage the Security Council in an interactive dialogue. The African case was presented by them in a sincere manner and with passion. That is what one does when one is earnestly committed to a cause.”
2013-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7060 (2013) · source
“It failed to demonstrate that it takes seriously ownership by Africa of its present challenges and its future. Let me reiterate, this is not now a Kenyan matter. It is an African issue. I would also like to express profound appreciation to those members of the Security Council that felt that African Heads of State and Government know what is best for Africa better than most, and decided to support us on the request for deferral. At the minimum, those members of the Council must have concluded that African Heads of State and Government, some ofwhom are the original founders of the International Criminal Court (ICC), deserve the benefit of the doubt.”
2013-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7060 (2013) · source
“I would like to thank our colleagues on the Security Council for having strengthened our confidence in the unity of our great continent and for having demonstrated the indomitable spirit of the people of Africa in ensuring that their voice is heard and that their ownership of their policies and strategies, including for achieving peace and security, is respected. We have absolutely no doubt in our mind that the reason why the three African members of the Security Council stood firm and remained united under difficult circumstances was their conviction that what they had was a just cause and what African leaders were requesting was far from difficult for the Security Council to meet. The Council was simply being asked to discharge its responsibility under the Charter. It failed to rise to the occasion.”
2013-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7060 (2013) · source
“I thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to speak as the representative of the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) on a very vital issue for Africa whose historic significance and value cannot be overstated. We have indeed been fortunate that the initiative of African Heads of State and Government - no matter how disappointing, as we have seen, the result may have been - has coincided with your presidency and, prior to that, with the presidency of Azerbaijan, to which we are equally indebted. We salute both presidencies, on behalf of our continent, on whose behalf our leaders speak.”
2013-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7060 (2013) · source
“Before I conclude, I should mention the fact that this debate in our view would have been far more useful if the theme had been broadened and not limited to the extractive sector because the lack of careful, balanced, fair and just use of natural resources also has implications for peace and stability, not only within countries but also in inter-State relations. This is perhaps a theme which will have to be tackled in the not-so-distant future.”
2013-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6982Resumption1 (2013) · source
“Even then, given the fact that natural resources generate income, the possibility of corruption and officials or their foreign partners being tempted to seek to underhandedly gain undeserved advantage may not be entirely avoided. But there is perhaps no better solution than appropriate internal democratic mechanisms for ensuring vigilance and monitoring. In other words, what is critical is what is done at the country level in connection with good and democratic governance, which allows space for grass-roots participation and control. In fact, external initiatives that are too intrusive may be seen as seeking to deprive rightful ownership by resorting to a variety of methods.”
2013-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6982Resumption1 (2013) · source
“Is there a better illustration of this than what has befallen the Democratic Republic of the Congo since the time of Patrice Lumumba'? I am proposing that, while all of the suggestions made in the concept paper to ensure transparency and accountability in this domain are valid and very helpful, what would be yet more effective at the end of the day would be what is done at the country level to strengthen State institutions and democratic governance, as the concept paper indicates. It is only by such actions that the ownership by the people concerned can be realized, without which no amount of work by the outside world can be fully effective in ensuring that extractive industries are not a cause of conflict.”
2013-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6982Resumption1 (2013) · source
“In fact, one can go further and argue that extractive resources are not or may not be the major source of conflict. The concept paper makes two very apt assumptions. One relates to the many examples of countries that have enjoyed security and stability and, as the concept paper says, impressive economic growth through the effective management of their extractive industries. The second assertion is that countries dependent on extractive industries are vulnerable and susceptible to conflict when they have weak governance and State institutions. It may not be fair for Africa to always blame others for problems that are at time of its own making, but on the other hand no region of the world has been the subject of so much abuse and all sorts of destabilizing activities because of greed focusing on the continent's natural resources.”
2013-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6982Resumption1 (2013) · source
“I wish to congratulate you, Sir, on having organized this open debate on a very important issue. Naturally, we express our indignation at what happened in Mogadishu today. The concept paper on the theme of the debate (8/2013/334, annex) is, in general, both comprehensive and very helpful. Of course, we approach the theme from an African perspective, among others, because it has been primary Africa that has been on the receiving end of so much greed and shenanigans often, but not always, associated with the exploitation of natural resources, most particularly evident in extractive industries. The British Government should be commended for its Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. The concept paper rightly indicates that extractive industries are never the sole source of conflict.”
2013-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6982Resumption1 (2013) · source
“Of course, we are very grateful to all those who called for this meeting for enhanced support to AMISOM, which is long overdue. I also wish to acknowledge the sacrifices made by AMISOM. and Ethiopian troops.”
2013-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6975 (2013) · source
“It was during Ambassador Mahiga's tenure that we came up with a very innovative mechanism of tripartite consultation among the United Nations Political Office for Somalia, AMISOM. and IGAD. It was quite an achievement. We are hopeful that Mr. Kay might wish to look at that experience closely, because it might be useful. All the same, IGAD countries look forward to working with him closely, and we are pleased that the United Nations Assistance to Mission to Somalia (UNSOM) was launched a few days ago. Let me conclude by reiterating the commitment of IGAD countries to working closely with UNSOM. We remain hopeful that the international community will help to ensure that the planned conference on the repatriation of Somali refugees will be a success.”
2013-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6975 (2013) · source
“The logic behind the emphasis given to the fight against Al-Shabaab has to do with fact that a loss of momentum in that fight, let alone a reversal of the gains so far made, would easily herald an unravelling of the entire situation, which has been the source of so much hope and confidence. That is why IGAD Heads of State and Government have underlined the fight against Al-Shabaab as the primary focus of cooperation among the Somali Federal Government, AMISOM. and regional and international partners. At this point, let me express how pleased we are to welcome the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Nicholas Kay, in whom we have great confidence and with whom we look forward to working very closely, as in fact we did with Ambassador Mahiga, to whom we remain indebted.”
2013-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6975 (2013) · source
“That explains why, in the course of May, as I mentioned a while ago, our leaders held two extraordinary sessions. They did so because of their conviction that there was a need for more speeded- up efforts at national reconciliation in Somalia. At their meeting on 3 May, they agreed to establish five principles, namely, the leadership of the Government in the process of reconciliation; respect for the provisional Constitution; an all-inclusive consultative process; a supporting role for IGAD based on the priorities of the Somali Government; and fighting Al-Shabaab as the primary focus of the Somali Federal Government, AMISOM. and regional and international partners.”
2013-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6975 (2013) · source
“We believe that the call in the London Conference communique with respect to the development of a longer-term sustainable financing architecture for Somalia, including a World Bank multi-donor trust fund, is an initiative that should be pursued in earnest. As has been suggested, that could serve as a vehicle for the normalization of Somalia's financial relationship with the international financial institutions. In the meantime, it is IGAD's hope that partners will make serious effort to make use of the special financing facility and the rule-of-law fund as mechanisms to channel funding to enhance the Government's capacity to deliver basic services to the people in a variety of areas. For IGAD countries, there are few priorities as critical and as vital as the security, stability and regeneration of Somalia.”
2013-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6975 (2013) · source
“The fact that the people of Somalia have decided to embrace their new Government is very obvious. That is where more work is needed on the part of both the Federal Government and the international community. That is also where the London Conference on Somalia of 7 May was extremely significant. The Lancaster House Conference has given further impetus to more coordinated international support to Somalia. The Conference also outlined the critical areas where further input is necessary to ensure that the momentum is maintained in Somalia. We have always emphasized how critical it is for the Federal Government to continue to build its credibility, and therefore its legitimacy, among the people of Somalia. That is a major undertaking that can be fulfilled only when the Government is in a position to deliver services to the people.”
2013-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6975 (2013) · source
“There is absolutely no doubt that Somalia is on a very encouraging and promising trajectory. In a number of ways, the issues that are of concern today in Somalia bear no resemblance to the challenges the country faced not long ago. Not that complacency is justified, for some of the security challenges still exist - Al-Shabaab has not been totally defeated - which is why IGAD countries continue to call for the situation in Kismayo not be allowed to distract attention from the urgent task of maintaining the momentum in the fight against that extremist group. That was underlined by IGAD Heads of State and Government at their meetings on 3 and 24 May. Strategically speaking, Al-Shabaab is on the way out, not because it has lost the military wherewithal but because it has absolutely no popular support.”
2013-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6975 (2013) · source
“The latest meeting, of7 May, that the United Kingdom co-hosted with Somalia at Lancaster House was a further affirmation of the readiness by the United Kingdom to make a significant difference in Somalia and in the broader IGAD region. Let me also take this opportunity to welcome the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Somalia, Her Excellency Ms. Fowsiyo Yusuf Haji Adan, who has been instrumental in the further consolidation of peace in Somalia and in strengthening and expanding the ties of friendship among IGAD member States. Her wisdom and pragmatic approach to difficult issues have been a source of strength for IGAD. I also wish to thank the Deputy Secretary-General for being here and for his contribution in this domain and other areas, which he makes with very welcome passion. We are very grateful to him.”
2013-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6975 (2013) · source
“I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for this opportunity to speak on behalf of the countries members of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which held two extraordinary summit sessions on Somalia in the course of past month alone, specifically on 3 and 24 May. Before getting into the substance of what those two sessions dealt with, let me take this opportunity to thank you, Mr. President and dear Minister, for coming to New York to preside over this important meeting. We are very grateful to your country for having taken up the situation in Somalia very seriously - and with a lot of care, I might add.”
2013-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6975 (2013) · source
“Transnational crimes of the various types that help spread terrorism can be contained only when there is such cooperation and coordination at the international level. Legal regimes for combating terrorism are critical to success in this area, but their effectiveness depends on the existence of genuine cooperation that makes no distinction based on where the crime of terrorism is committed. In that regard, there is no doubt that the international community has a lot of work to do in order to make progress in addressing the concerns of many, including those in the IGAD region.”
2013-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6965 (2013) · source
“On the other hand, it is clear, given the magnitude of the problem in the subregion and its vulnerability, that much more is needed to ensure that real progress is made and that gains made are not reversed. By any standard, at present it appears that there is far greater cooperation and coordination among those promoting and perpetrating terror than there is among those theoretically committed to doing whatever is necessary to defeat the scourge. Those committed to terror have become very adept at using modern communication technology, including the Internet, perhaps better than most who profess the determination to fight them. That is the experience we have had in the Horn of Africa, and that is why it has become so critical to have genuine practical international cooperation in the fight against terrorism.”
2013-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6965 (2013) · source
“It is the means used to achieve a goal, whatever the goal may be, that is the basis for international cooperation against terrorism. In that regard, we still have a long way to go before we reach to the stage where we can say that now, at last, we, the international community, have laid the foundation for an effective cooperation and coordination in the fight against terrorism. That is not to say that the IGAD region, for instance, has not enjoyed the cooperation of the Security Council, other partners and the international community at large to ensure that progress is made towards peace and stability in our subregion. The progress we see in Somalia today would not have been possible without such cooperation.”
2013-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6965 (2013) · source
“Our experience in the IGAD region tells us that there is little chance of succeeding in the fight against terrorism, except through genuine, effective international cooperation that makes no distinction regarding where the crime of terrorism is committed. That often-expressed notion, with the aim of distinguishing among groups that resort to terror based on where the act is committed, is a recipe for defeating the spirit and determination of genuine international cooperation aimed at overcoming this scourge. In other words, as long as there is a double standard in the fight against terrorism, there can be little hope of defeating international terrorism. We have agreed at the international level that the location, the targets and those who carry out the act do not matter as far as terrorism is concerned.”
2013-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6965 (2013) · source
“No doubt, both Africa in general, and the Horn of Africa in particular, have been targets of international terrorism. It is obvious that the ultimate victory over extremism and terror can be achieved only when the root causes of the scourge are effectively addressed. It is impossible to ensure acceptable levels of peace and security in the face of abject poverty and deprivation, and the hopelessness that they spawn. But terrorism has no justification. The international consensus at present condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, wherever and for whatever purpose.”
2013-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6965 (2013) · source
“To give concrete expression to the principles of the Convention, the organization produced a plan of action in 2002 that provided for the establishment of the African Centre for Studies and Research on Terrorism, which came into being in 2004 with its seat in Algiers. Among the functions of the Centre is the objective of strengthening the capacity of African States in the struggle against terrorism. No event has shown more clearly how Africa needs to build its capacity in this area than the situation that we faced in Mali. Our experience in Mali has also demonstrated how much the building of robust State institutions is absolutely indispensable to fight terrorism effectively. But still, where Africa has shown the most resolve has been on the practical side of the fight against terrorism and extremism.”
2013-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6965 (2013) · source
“Both IGAD and the AU have also sought to ensure greatly enhanced cooperation with the Council's three anti-terrorism Committees - the Counter- Terrorism Committee and Executive Directorate, Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011), concerning Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities, and the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004). The AU, and before it the Organization of African Unity (OAU), has been actively engaged in the fight against terrorism since the 1990s. It began with the adoption, in 1992, of the resolution on the strengthening of cooperation and coordination among African States. A major step was taken by the OAU subsequently when in 1999 it adopted its Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism.”
2013-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6965 (2013) · source
“I am also grateful for the opportunity given to me to speak on my country's behalf as Chair of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a subregional organization that, in close coordination with the African Union, has done so much to address the challenges of terrorism in the Horn of Africa. In that respect, both IGAD and the African Union (AU) have been at the forefront of the fight against international terrorism. The two organizations have also been extremely eager to strengthen international cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts, including with a view to ensuring the effective implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Both have been ready to work closely with the Secretariat's Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force.”
2013-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6965 (2013) · source
“It is a great honour for me to welcome the President to New York and to thank him for Togo's initiative to convene this debate on "Peace and security in Africa: the challenges of the fight against terrorism in Africa in the context ofmaintaining international peace and security". His presence at this meeting is testimony of Togo's commitment to doing whatever is necessary to ensure that the challenges of terrorism are effectively addressed through international cooperation, which is the only way that the scourge can be defeated. I express our sympathies to the people of Turkey.”
2013-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6965 (2013) · source
“That, in a nutshell, is the message that I was asked by the current Chairperson of the AU to deliver to the Security Council at this meeting.”
2013-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6946 (2013) · source
“I would like to conclude by emphasizing one crucial point. That relates to how much the lack of institution-building, including the consolidation of State institutions, is understated as one of the major root causes of conflict on our continent. It appears that it is sometimes taken for granted that the weaker the State, the greater the space and the opportunity for democracy to blossom. That is perhaps not always true. In any event, the way to proceed might be to maintain the proper balance. Lessons need to be drawn from recent experiences, including that of Mali. In that connection, tearing down those that have embarked upon building successful institutions may be good neither for conflict prevention nor for putting in place a robust foundation for good governance.”
2013-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6946 (2013) · source