YouSaid · the spoken record

Allen

lines on the record: 1,072
first: 2017-08-15
most recent: 2020-12-07
sittings or episodes: 159
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

“Finally, we would like to outline our concern over the ongoing political tensions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. it is vitally important that progress on stability and prosperity be protected and maintained and that all political actors enable the delivery of crucial democratic and governance reforms for the benefit of the Congolese people.”
2020-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8778 (2020) · source
“Tackling armed groups remains a major challenge in this respect. We are therefore pleased to see progress on a new approach to community-focused disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, and we call on the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to support that momentum by developing a comprehensive national strategy. We remain deeply troubled by the human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and we condemn the fact that the security forces continue to commit almost half of all reported human rights violations in the country. This remains a major impediment to significant progress on security-sector reform. I must call on the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to ensure accountability.”
2020-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8778 (2020) · source
“We would like to see that go further, however, in detailing how the transition will be taken forward, how it will be measured against clear benchmarks and how the Mission will work with the United Nations country team and other development actors on the handover of tasks with humanitarian actors and with the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At the same time, we call on the Government to participate actively in planning for MONUSCO’s eventual exit. National ownership is crucial in ensuring that the exit allows for sustainable stability and development. As the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s second- largest bilateral aid donor, the United Kingdom remains committed to ensuring long-term stability and security in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2020-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8778 (2020) · source
“MONUSCO should consider if and how it could have been prevented with a more proactive approach and learn any lessons from it. In that vein, we call for the prompt implementation of mandated reforms within MONUSCO and its Force Intervention Brigade. Civilian loss of life remains unacceptably high in the east, in particular around Beni, owing to attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces. The lack of progress on mandated reforms to the Force Intervention Brigade, such as the incorporation of additional quick-reaction forces, is hindering the Mission’s efforts to tackle that threat. Those reforms are key to enhancing the performance of the Mission. We welcome the joint transition strategy developed by MONUSCO in collaboration with the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2020-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8778 (2020) · source
“Let me begin by thanking Special Representative of the Secretary- General Leila Zerrougui for her briefing today. I would like to commend the continuation of the vital operations of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), despite the complex and difficult operating environment and the continued challenges posed by the unprecedented coronavirus disease pandemic. In particular, we welcome the Mission’s success in Pinga. Its effective intervention in a volatile situation following the split of the Nduma défense du Congo-Rénové armed group protected those displaced by violence and ensured that they could receive humanitarian assistance. But I want to reiterate the need for vigilance in the Mission’s delivery of its mandate. The Beni prison break stands out.”
2020-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8778 (2020) · source
“I look forward to next month’s briefing and hope that we will have news then that the mission is under way. I also want to thank Germany, the Netherlands and France for joining the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia in providing funding for the initial mission.”
2020-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8770 (2020) · source
“The exchange rate in the south has reached its lowest level since the conflict began and food security is rapidly deteriorating. The proportion of people unable to find sufficient amounts of food increased from 28 per cent in May to 43 per cent in August. The Government of Yemen has a critical role to play here, too. It urgently needs to develop a credible and transparent economic plan that reassures donors of its ability to implement economic reform. Finally, I want to welcome the tentative news that the United Nations Office for Project Services and the Houthis appear to have agreed, in principle, to a mission to conduct an assessment and subsequent light repairs. I understand that it could take well over a month for the experts’ work to be completed, so any unnecessary delay must be avoided.”
2020-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8770 (2020) · source
“All barriers to humanitarian access in the country, no matter where, must immediately be removed and the Houthis must give the United Nations and NGOs the permissions they need to operate and save lives across the north. Mr. Lowcock welcomed the reopening of Sana’a airport for humanitarian cases. I agree with him and say that it is essential that Sana’a airport and Al-Hudaydah port be kept open and that both parties come to an immediate agreement on fuel imports, as Mr. Griffiths laid out. If we are to avoid famine, it is also essential that the Central Bank of Yemen be swiftly provided with external financial assistance so that it has sufficient hard currency to sustain food imports and stabilize prices. Food affordability, rather than availability, seems to be the main driver of hunger at present.”
2020-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8770 (2020) · source
“The United Kingdom itself recently announced over $65 million in additional funding, taking us to over $250 million this year and building on $300 million last year. Funding levels remain alarmingly low at 42 per cent, however, with less than half the level of funding compared to this time last year. Meanwhile, severe access constraints — some in the south, but mainly in Houthi areas — continue to prevent the delivery of life-saving assistance. That is recklessly driving up the risk of famine. As of 27 September, 94 non-governmental organization (NGO) projects, with a cumulative budget of $218 million, remained unimplemented, largely due to Houthi restrictions.”
2020-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8770 (2020) · source
“On 22 September, Brigadier General Shekarchi, a spokesman for the Iranian armed forces, admitted that Iran had provided technical assistance and training to the Houthis. That represents an evident breach of the arms embargo. It is deeply concerning and reaffirms our concerns about Iran’s destabilizing activities in Yemen and the wider region. We call on Iran to cease such activities, which risk escalating the conflict, and to support a political solution to the conflict in Yemen. We must prevent Yemen from tipping into famine. We welcome the recent positive steps taken by some donors to provide humanitarian funding, including new commitments from the United States, Kuwait and some European Union member States, as well as Saudi Arabia signing agreements with United Nations agencies.”
2020-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8770 (2020) · source
“The fighting that has now opened up in Al-Hudaydah is not only in clear breach of the Hodeidah Agreement, but is needless and will only lead to further instability in a country that is staring down the barrel of disease and famine. Today, I call for renewed and urgent engagement with the United Nations Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement and the Special Envoy in order to reach a ceasefire. I stress that the Yemeni parties — which means the Government of Yemen just as much as it means the Houthis — should cooperate with the Special Envoy to agree to his joint declaration proposals as soon as possible. I want to reiterate the United Kingdom’s full confidence in the United Nations-led process and in Special Envoy Griffiths.”
2020-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8770 (2020) · source
“On the Riyadh agreement, I welcome the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia towards achieving a resolution, and urge the parties to rapidly form a Government. As we mark the twentieth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000) this month, I want to echo what Mr. Griffiths said about the importance of the inclusion of women in political processes, including in Yemen. I also welcome his assessment that the violence in Ma’rib has decreased recently, and echo his call for it to stop completely. That violence has entered its sixth month and has had an untold cost on the lives of many Yemenis — young and old, men and women.”
2020-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8770 (2020) · source
“I would like to thank Under-Secretary-General Lowcock and Special Envoy Griffiths for their briefings. It is not often that we start Yemen discussions with reasons to hope, so let me begin by welcoming the news of the prisoner release. The first flights happened today following the agreement, on 27 September, by the parties to release 1,081 prisoners. I particularly applaud the efforts of the International Committee of the Red Cross in that regard. Today’s news is not just about that specific confidence-building measure; it also demonstrates that dialogue can lead to positive outcomes. That momentum now needs to be carried into the political tracks. The parties must urgently agree to the United Nations joint declaration.”
2020-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8770 (2020) · source
“With respect to MINUSMA, may I just say that we welcome the progress made by the Mission under trying circumstances, including the difficulties and challenges presented by the coronavirus disease. The rationale for mission adaption to increase MINUSMA’s flexibility and mobility of operations remains strong. MINUSMA will, of course, continue to have a vital role to play in supporting implementation of all of the points I have just made. But we will look to the Malian authorities, of course, primarily, working with MINUSMA, to reinvigorate the process. Let me end by saying again that we are in the Chamber to support Mali. We are here to support the people of Mali and the Government of Mali. We are here to support the country’s transition. But we expect to see tangible progress in the next reporting period.”
2020-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8765 (2020) · source
“Fifthly, political, administrative, electoral and institutional reforms must be undertaken to prepare the grounds for elections. None of us expects miracles in three months, but I think we need to see action on all those strands and evidence of progress. We are there to support Mali. The United Kingdom will be following up both in New York and in Bamako. We continue to play our part. Our bilateral spend in the Sahel is now over $100 million a year, which is primarily humanitarian in nature, and, through multilateral channels, we contribute a third of $390 million a year. Furthermore, the United Kingdom will deploy a long-range reconnaissance task force to MINUSMA this year.”
2020-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8765 (2020) · source
“But I would just like to say to him — and I hope he can report this to his Government — that by our next meeting I hope he will be able to tell us about substantive progress on the following five issues. The first issue is the implementation of the 2015 peace agreement. I do not mean words about an intention to do so, but actual steps in that direction. I want to echo the representative of Estonia’s words on the importance of the participation of women. Secondly, concrete steps must be taken to return the State to the north and the centre of the country and to provide services to the people who live there. Thirdly, the catch-up phase of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process must be completed. Fourthly, reports of human rights violations and abuses must be investigated, and action must be taken against impunity.”
2020-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8765 (2020) · source
“Meanwhile the people of Mali have suffered and peacekeepers in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) have paid with their lives. I therefore wish today to pass a clear message to the new Government of Mali and to all the signatories of the 2015 agreement. There is no time to waste. There can be no more evasion of responsibilities. They must now demonstrate that they are serious — serious about securing the country and serious about providing services to their people who need them, especially in the north and in the centre. I see in the Chamber today the representative of Mali, and I look forward to hearing from him later. He is an excellent colleague and always has important things to say.”
2020-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8765 (2020) · source
“We therefore echo the Secretary-General’s call for the transitional authorities to take ownership of implementation of the 2015 Algiers Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali. The 2015 agreement remains the bedrock of building stability and peace in the country. I am pleased to hear from Special Representative Annadif that a signatory group has entered the Government, and I am pleased to hear that implementation of the agreement is a key part of the new Government’s mission. But let us be frank — there has simply not been enough progress on the political track since 2015, neither have the former Government and its Ministers nor the signatory groups taken seriously enough their obligations to deliver on that agreement.”
2020-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8765 (2020) · source
“I join others in thanking Special Representative of the Secretary-General Mahamat Saleh Annadif for his valuable briefing. Let me begin by saying that the United Kingdom very much welcomes the establishment of the civilian- led transitional Government in Mali. We commend the decisive action taken by the Economic Community of West African States in response to events in Mali in August and the strong role of the subregion in supporting the progress made since then. The last time we met to discuss Mali, on 19 August, the United Kingdom called for a return to civilian government as soon as possible to deliver for and engage with the frustrations of the long-suffering Malian people.”
2020-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8765 (2020) · source
“We are content to accept the Fact-Finding Mission’s conclusion in the absence of further evidence that would clearly show whether or not a chemical attack took place. We welcome the fact that the Fact-Finding Mission, as in its investigation of the chemical-weapons attack in Duma, did not jump to hasty conclusions but took its time to carry out a thorough investigation and reach conclusions on the basis of all available evidence. We would encourage all parties to continue to do their utmost and in good faith to assist the Fact-Finding Mission with its investigations.”
2020-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8764 (2020) · source
“I think it would have been helpful if Russia or Syria had provided evidence with the Fact-Finding Mission, had they had it, of any attack. In the case of the Saraqib report, there is evidence suggesting the possibility of a Syrian regime chlorine attack. There is evidence of the presence of a helicopter, a barrel bomb that was not filled with conventional explosives and exposure of victims to an irritant consistent with chlorine. These are all familiar characteristics of regime chlorine attacks, such as those on Qmenas and Sarmin in 2015, for which the Joint Investigative Mechanism identified the regime as responsible. In this case, however, the result of the Fact- Finding Mission’s analysis of all available data did not allow the Mission to establish whether or not chemicals were used as a weapon.”
2020-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8764 (2020) · source
“The confirmed use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime represents a breach of resolution 2118 (2013), as does its ongoing failure to comply with the Convention and to cooperate fully with the OPCW. The Council should address non-compliance with its resolutions and the clear threats to international peace and security that they represent. Finally, we note that last Friday, 2 October, the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission published its reports on the alleged chemical weapons attacks in Saraqib in 2016 and Aleppo in 2018. We continue to consider the details of the report. In the case of the alleged Aleppo attack, in 2018, the findings of the Fact-Finding Mission appear consistent with our assessment at the time that it was highly unlikely that chlorine was used as alleged or that the opposition was responsible for the incident.”
2020-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8764 (2020) · source
“After six years of outstanding compliance issues and further confirmation of the Syrian regime’s use of chemical weapons by the Investigation and Identification Team in April this year, we welcome the robust, proportionate and reasonable action taken by the OPCW Executive Council in its decision of 9 July. In that decision, the Executive Council gave Syria 90 days to come into compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention. The deadline for this action is tomorrow, and we call on Syria to make a final effort to respect the decision to redress the issues in its declaration and to come into compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention. Should the Director General find that Syria has not completed the stipulated measures in full, it will be for the Conference of the States Parties to decide on appropriate action to take.”
2020-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8764 (2020) · source
“As we said last month (see S/2020/902), the outstanding issues on Syria’s declaration are significant and go to the heart of Syria’s compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention. Until all outstanding issues are resolved, we cannot be sure of the complete elimination of Syria’s chemical-weapons programme. These concerns are not hypothetical, particularly in the light of the findings by the OPCW-United Nations Joint Investigative Mechanism, and now the OPCW Investigation and Identification Team, that the Syrian regime has used chemical weapons on at least seven occasions since 2013.”
2020-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8764 (2020) · source
“Let me now turn to the real purpose of this meeting. I want to thank the Director General of the OPCW for his eighty-fourth monthly report (S/2020/961, annex). Regarding the work of the Declaration Assessment Team, we note that the Syrian regime has provided some further information to the Team, including two amendments to its initial declaration. That is why, by the way, we need the answers to the questions that have been raised continuously by the Declaration Assessment Team. Syria’s declaration is not a complete declaration. These further amendments are, as I say, further evidence that the initial declaration was inaccurate. I hope very much that this further information assists in clarifying some of the many outstanding issues. I urge Syria to cooperate fully with the OPCW to make progress on all of the outstanding issues.”
2020-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8764 (2020) · source
“I would say that, were the Russian Federation at all interested in a genuine discussion of evidence, they would have attended the meeting during the Estonian presidency with the Director General of the OPCW and the head of the Investigation and Identification Team, Mr. Santiago Oñate Laborde. But the Russian relegation refused to permit the Head of the Team to brief in a formal Council meeting. It then left empty chairs and an informal meeting attended by all other Council members. So, given that the Russian delegation has spoken so passionately in favour of transparency today, and given it as willing to propose a briefer last involved with the OPCW 18 years ago, I have no doubt that the Russian delegation will be supporting an invitation to Mr. Oñate Laborde to brief the Council so that we may debate the evidence.”
2020-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8764 (2020) · source
“It was long before resolution 2118 (2013) was adopted, long before Syria even acceded to the Chemical Weapons Convention and long before the OPCW had carried out any investigations in Syria. I am afraid, with respect to him, he is irrelevant to our discussion of the implementation of resolution 2118 (2013). I therefore call on all those who continually seek to undermine the OPCW in order to protect the Syrian regime — and perhaps to protect themselves — from accountability to stop doing so. I want to express my full agreement with what my colleague from the United States said about the Aria Format meeting on 28 September.”
2020-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8764 (2020) · source
“But this meeting is a monthly meeting on a particularly sensitive issue on which Russia is directly engaged on the ground. So, please, do not pretend that it is some sort of presidential right to propose briefers. Russia is a party to the issue of chemical-weapons use in Syria, as we all know. We should be particularly cautious about agreeing to briefers whose only purpose can be to undermine and call into question the integrity of the OPCW. Such briefers well serve only to politicize our discussion and distract us from the real issues. With regard to Mr. Bustani, as I said before, he has had a distinguished diplomatic career, and we have full respect for him. But he left his role as Director General of the OPCW in 2002, and it was clear from your words today, Mr. President, that this casts a long shadow over him and his views.”
2020-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8764 (2020) · source
“But it is perhaps not a surprise that Russia chooses to ignore the rules by which it wants others to abide. Resolution 2118 (2013) is clear on the purpose of our monthly meetings. It is for the Security Council to review the implementation of resolution 2118 (2013) and the decision of 27 September 2013 of the Executive Council of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Our discussion should focus on these issues. Any briefers should be relevant to these issues and be able to brief us on them. And I would say to you, Mr. President, that when you propose briefers that we were not particularly enthusiastic about during your presidency last year, we accepted them. That was in a discreet counter-terrorism event, on an issue not usually discussed in the Council.”
2020-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8764 (2020) · source
“Let me begin by thanking High Representative Nakamitsu for her briefing. Let me say, Mr. President, that I believe you have today shown contempt for members of the Security Council. You, Mr. President, put a briefer to the vote. You received two votes in favour alongside your own. Members of the Council did not support your briefer, but you chose to ignore the decision of the Council. I am reminded of the time when Russia demanded a meeting on Ukraine (see S/PV.8529), which Russia insisted must be timed to coincide with the inauguration of the President of Ukraine. When you failed to get the votes in favour of that meeting taking place, you also read out your intervention as if the meeting were happening. Again, you showed contempt for the decision of the members of the Council.”
2020-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8764 (2020) · source
“I really fail to understand why these games are being played by such an expert delegation as the Russian delegation. You have been here, as we have, for 75 years. You know that if a briefer is proposed under rule 39, the Council can either accept that, as happens in the majority of cases, without any vote at all, or a Council member can raise an objection, as Christoph has reminded us, as your colleague Gennady did in 2018, when I was present in the Security Council Chamber (see S/PV.8209). You are proposing a briefer. You have been told that the Council does not unanimously accept that briefer. You therefore need to get nine votes in favour of the briefer. There is no debate or discussion about that. That is simply how the rules of procedure work, Mr. President.”
2020-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8764 (2020) · source
“It seems unnecessarily complex. Why do we not simply use the following wording: “The Russian Federation wishes to propose this briefer. Who supports it?””
2020-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8764 (2020) · source
“You, Mr. President, asked for a briefer under rule 39. A number of us have objected. I think that it is for you, Sir, either to withdraw your proposal to invite that briefer or to put your proposal for that briefer to the vote. I would not presume to tell you what language you should use.”
2020-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8764 (2020) · source
“I thank my Chinese colleague. Just to clarify, I asked for a vote, Mr. President, on your proposal to invite this briefer. It is your proposal that should be put to the vote.”
2020-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8764 (2020) · source
“Bustani is a distinguished diplomat, but given his departure from the OPCW many years before it considered the Syria chemical weapons file, he is not in a position to provide relevant knowledge or information on the implementation of resolution 2118 (2013), unlike, for example, the current Director General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. We would therefore request that the presidency put the issue of its proposed briefer to a procedural vote.”
2020-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8764 (2020) · source
“The United Kingdom, together with Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany and the United States of America, would like to raise an objection to the briefer proposed under rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure. The purpose of our meeting today is for the Security Council to review the implementation of resolution 2118 (2013) and the decision of 27 September 2013 by the Executive Council of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Our discussion should focus on those issues. While we agree that the presidency of the Security Council should have the space to propose briefers, they must be relevant to and knowledgeable of the topic under discussion. Unfortunately, that is not the case for one of today’s briefers. Mr.”
2020-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8764 (2020) · source
“We continue to work closely with international partners to advocate a two-State solution and encourage a return to meaningful negotiations.”
2020-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8762 (2020) · source
“The Israeli security forces must provide appropriate protection to the Palestinian people and be seen to conduct prompt and transparent investigations into claims of IDF misconduct. The Palestinian leadership must continue its efforts aimed at tackling terror and incitement, strengthen institutions and develop a sustainable economy. Hamas and other terrorist groups must permanently end their incitement and rocket fire against Israel. The Government of the United Kingdom strongly condemns all forms of violence and incitement to violence. We welcome Fatah and Hamas efforts towards reconciliation and hope that this can lead to the holding of democratic elections across the occupied Palestinian territories. Let me end by reaffirming that the United Kingdom remains active in the Middle East peace process.”
2020-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8762 (2020) · source
“We call on Israel to desist from such actions and to provide a clear and transparent route to construction for Palestinians in Area C. We are also concerned about ongoing evictions of Palestinians from their homes in East Jerusalem. Like all countries, Israel has a legitimate right to self-defence and to defend its citizens from attack. But in doing this, it is vital that all actions are proportionate, in line with international law and that they are calibrated to avoid civilian casualties. For example, the shooting and injuring by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) of an unarmed, deaf and mute Palestinian at the Qalandia checkpoint on 17 August is deeply concerning.”
2020-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8762 (2020) · source
“We remain concerned at ongoing plans to take forward settlements, including in Givat Hamatos and Har Homa and in the E1 area. All settlements are illegal under international law. Settlement construction in these highly sensitive areas would damage prospects for a two-State solution and threaten to further undermine the viability of a future Palestinian State with its capital in East Jerusalem. Despite the spread of the coronavirus disease, 2020 is on course to be the worst year since 2016 for Israeli demolition of Palestinian property, including of donor- funded structures paid for by Council members and international partners. In all but the most exceptional of circumstances, demolitions are contrary to international humanitarian law.”
2020-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8762 (2020) · source
“While the threat of annexation appears to have receded, the United Kingdom remains concerned by a number of negative trends on the ground. We reiterate our call on both sides to halt any activity that makes peace more difficult to achieve. In accordance with resolution 2334 (2016), this includes terrorism, incitement, violence against civilians, demolition of Palestinian property and settlement advancements. In Gaza, we welcome the agreement reached on 31 August, which has restored a degree of calm and led Israel to lift its ban on fuel and goods imports through the Kerem Shalom crossing. On 15 September, Hamas launched rockets into Israel once more. We condemn these actions; they are unacceptable, unjustifiable and must stop. As ever, dialogue is the only way to address the situation.”
2020-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8762 (2020) · source
“We urge others across the region to follow the example of the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. We must acknowledge that the agreements represent a profound shift in the region. It is critical that as the international community we build on the momentum of normalization to take forward resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In his recent visit to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab encouraged both the Israeli and Palestinian leaderships to use the suspension of annexation plans — plans the United Kingdom strongly opposed — as an opportunity. We urge the Palestinian Authority to resume cooperation with Israel in the interests of the Palestinian people. We also call on both parties to make constructive and open steps towards a return to dialogue.”
2020-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8762 (2020) · source
“As always, I thank Special Coordinator Mladenov for his words. Like others, I would like to start today by expressing sincere condolences following the death of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad, the Amir of the State of Kuwait. As Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said, the personal contribution His Highness made to regional stability and humanitarian assistance will long be remembered. The United Kingdom has warmly welcomed the historic steps taken over the last two months, with the normalization of relations between three great friends of the United Kingdom: Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Israel. These positive steps are already having an impact, such as direct flights from Israel to the United Arab Emirates and early commercial agreements. More positive progress is to come in trade, cultural and scientific links and much more.”
2020-09-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8762 (2020) · source
“In doing so, we urge the Government of the Sudan to build on its cooperation with UNAMID to ensure that protection needs continue to be met.”
2020-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8761 (2020) · source
“The recent increase in intercommunal violence and civilian displacement and the ongoing conflict in Jebel Marra demonstrates the complexity of the drivers and root causes of conflict, which will need to be comprehensively resolved if we are to see a stable and secure Darfur. I want to commend the work of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) during these unprecedented times, not only in its assistance of the national response to COVID-19 in Darfur, but also in its work with the Government of the Sudan to support and bolster the protection of civilians. In that regard, I want to welcome the Government of the Sudan’s national protection-of-civilians strategy, which demonstrates its firm commitment to fulfilling its responsibility to protect. However, it will take time to build the required capacity.”
2020-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8761 (2020) · source
“I want particularly to welcome the initialling of a peace agreement on 31 August by the Government of the Sudan and the Sudanese Revolutionary Front. It is a very welcome step towards a comprehensive peace deal for the Sudan, and it is an opportunity that we urge all parties to take advantage of through the swift and full implementation of the agreement. We also reiterate our call on all of those who remain outside the peace process to engage constructively, immediately and without preconditions and to conclude swiftly negotiations on a comprehensive peace agreement. Although we have seen progress towards efforts to secure peace, the security situation in Darfur remains concerning.”
2020-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8761 (2020) · source
“We urge the United Nations to work with the Government of the Sudan to facilitate the swift deployment of the Mission and, crucially, to ensure that UNITAMS has adequate resources and geographical presence to enable it to respond to the needs on the ground and to fulfil its mandate. We need to see the rapid appointment of a Special Representative of the Secretary-General. We have waited for too long, and that delay is undermining the ability of the United Nations to support the people of the Sudan. Turning to the peace process, I want very much to commend the efforts and achievements of the Government of the Sudan, under the leadership of Prime Minister Hamdok, and a number of armed movements to take forward negotiations despite the challenges of COVID-19.”
2020-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8761 (2020) · source
“We have contributed more than $100 million towards the Family Support Programme, which will help mitigate the negative impact of some of the necessary economic reforms being pursued by the Government of the Sudan. And in 2020, the United Kingdom is donating an additional $76 million of humanitarian aid to United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations to meet the most urgent needs of those affected by food insecurity, conflict and economic crisis in the Sudan. But we must do more. Echoing the Secretary- General, I ask Member States to consider not whether we can afford to support the Sudan, but whether we can afford not to. Once established, UNITAMS will be at the core of international support, working to ensure that it is coordinated and effective.”
2020-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8761 (2020) · source
“On the latter, we welcome very much the inclusion of a number of women in those appointments. So that is all very positive. But the Sudan still faces a multitude of challenges. In the last year alone, the people of the Sudan have had to contend with unprecedented flooding, desert locusts and the first polio outbreak in more than a decade. Inflation exceeds 160 per cent, and humanitarian need, unfortunately, is increasing. COVID-19 has only exacerbated those challenges. It is clear that the Sudanese people cannot face those challenges alone, and it would be unreasonable for any of us to believe that. The international community must step up. The United Kingdom is playing its part.”
2020-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8761 (2020) · source
“I wish to thank Under-Secretaries-General DiCarlo and Lacroix for their briefings. Let me also thank all those United Nations colleagues who are working very hard to get the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS) stood up and to deal with the ongoing issues there. Despite competing priorities and, indeed, the complications and death toll from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), we have continued to see the civilian-led Government of the Sudan take forward the implementation of the key transitional benchmarks, as set out in their Constitutional Document. In particular, we welcome the recent progress made on legal reforms that strengthen human rights across the Sudan, as well as the appointment of civilian governors.”
2020-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8761 (2020) · source