YouSaid · the spoken record

António

lines on the record: 609
first: 2003-08-06
most recent: 2021-10-20
sittings or episodes: 58
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

“and the forces of the Federal Government of Somalia in their efforts to stabilize Somalia and to create an enabling space for governance, the distribution of humanitarian assistance and the building of infrastructure for economic and social development to take place.”
2016-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7674 (2016) · source
“I welcome the pledges of helicopters made by Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda. The deployment of those helicopters will ensure that AMISOM. can conduct targeted operations as well as achieve greater flexibility and protection. In that respect, I would like to urge the Council to facilitate the finalization of letters of assist, bearing in mind that reimbursement for the helicopters should be at a level commensurate with the offensive nature of AMISOM operations in Somalia. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to the troop- and police-contributing countries, whose men and women are making immense sacrifices. We would also like to thank our partners for providing support, including financial as well as in-kind contributions, in order to assist AMISOM.”
2016-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7674 (2016) · source
“Thirdly, the mobilization of resources to ensure that the salaries of the Somali security forces are paid in a regular and timely manner and the identification of funds to fill the gap created by the 20 per cent salary cut for AMISOM. uniformed personnel are important to raising their morale and keeping them motivated. The support and capacitation of the Somali National Army remains a central priority in terms of both lethal and non-lethal provisions, within a coordinated framework, in order to facilitate the take-over of primary security responsibilities by the respective Somali institutions. Significant achievements are already being registered. Fourthly, the deployment of operational enablers and force multipliers are pivotal for the rejuvenation of AMISOM. operations.”
2016-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7674 (2016) · source
“Secondly, AMISOM's strategy needs to be adapted to effectively cope with the ongoing and evolving security challenges. AMISOM. strategy must embrace more targeted operations involving holding, offensive and pursuit operations. That approach will complement the territorial offensive operation aimed at recovering territories from Al-Shaabab by undertaking more deliberate intelligence-driven operations to further degrade the capabilities of that terrorist group. The African Union Commission has directed the AMISOM leadership to commence planning for this new strategy and would welcome the Council's support for its execution.”
2016-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7674 (2016) · source
“First, there is a clear justification for the renewal of AMISOM's mandate in the light of the progress made in the creation of a conducive environment in the political process, but also the continued security challenges encountered in Somalia. It is important, as recommended during the summit of the Heads of State and Government of the troop- and police-contributing countries of AMISOM, that the mandate be renewed and the current authorized AMISOM. force of 22,126 uniformed personnel and 70 civilians be supported. Those are the minimum essential requirements for the conduct of renewed AMISOM. offensive operations in Somalia. The AU Peace and Security Council will consider the situation in Somalia on 28 April in Addis Ababa, with a view to recommending that the Security Council authorize the renewal of AMISOM's mandate.”
2016-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7674 (2016) · source
“Moreover, that will ensure that Al-Shabaab does not succeed in its attempts to disrupt the upcoming elections in Somalia later this year, and will make it possible for the elections to take place in an enabling, safe and secure environment. To that effect, the Federal Government of Somalia and AMISOM. have set up a joint committee that has already started to operate. That will require the enhancement of the effectiveness of AMISOM. and the Somali security forces. At this juncture, I would like to reiterate four critical issues that require the Council's attention in our collective efforts to enhance AMISOM. operations.”
2016-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7674 (2016) · source
“AMISOM's priorities in the third and fourth quarters of the year are to continue to conduct defensive, offensive and routine operations in the areas of its responsibility in Somalia; patrol main supply routes; escort convoys; and to protect airports, ports, other critical infrastructure, sensitive sites and very important persons. The conduct of surprise attacks and cordon-and-search operations to disrupt enemy plans and degrade, weaken and destroy its capabilities, and reduce and eliminate its presence in towns, villages and remote areas are an essential part of AMISOM's modus operandi. That will reduce Al-Shabaab's ability to carry out ambushes and grenade attacks against AMISOM and the Somali national security forces or to place improvised explosive devices along the main supply routes.”
2016-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7674 (2016) · source
“The African Union and the United Nations have also formally established the joint working group meeting, which was formally launched in Addis Ababa on 15 April. The working group is an outcome of the meeting of the United Nations-African Union Joint Task Force on Peace and Security convened in New York on 22 March. It is expected to strengthen AMISOM's operational effectiveness. The working group is currently meeting in Addis Ababa to discuss concrete ways to enhance AMISOM's command and control, including the possibility of a multinational sector headquarters in AMISOM's area of operations, as well as to enhance the capacity of the AMISOM force and Mission headquarters. The working group will formally submitt its technical recommendations in due course.”
2016-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7674 (2016) · source
“In the light of those challenges, the AU has taken several steps to ensure that AMISOM. operational efficiency is enhanced. The AU convened a summit of troop and police-contributing countries on 28 February, hosted by the Government of Djibouti, to address some of the immediate challenges confronting AMISOM operations, especially in relation to resources, command and control and the generation of additional enablers and support to the Somali national security forces. The Heads of State and the troop and police-contributing countries took important decisions and made far- reaching commitments on those aspects and signed the Djibouti Declaration on AMISOM, which set the foundations for the consolidation of AMISOM's mission of stabilizing Somalia.”
2016-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7674 (2016) · source
“The ongoing Operation Juba Corridor, coupled with the recent recovery of more territory and towns and the air strikes by AMISOM. partners, have contributed to degrading Al-Shabaab capabilities and eliminating several of its top leaders. Despite those gains, the security situation in Somalia remains fluid. Al-Shaabab has shown resilience and the capacity to adapt. It still retains considerable initiative and capacity to gather intelligence and deploy small, but highly mobile and effective, teams of fighters who use suicide bombers, grenades and artillery to attack, impede the movement of people and goods, slow down AMISOM. activities in the main supply routes, carry out ambushes and mount complex attacks through a combined and concomitant use of all those types of weapons.”
2016-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7674 (2016) · source
“The empowerment and consolidation of those regional administrations will bring the Government closer to the people and make the provision of essential services - including security, law and order, justice, the sinking of boreholes and the building of schools, hospitals and roads - much more possible. In the fulfilment of their mandate, AMISOM forces have registered significant gains in Somalia. The ousting of Al-Shabaab from Mogadishu and the liberation of a large number of district capitals and swathes of territory previously under Al-Shabaab control have significantly contributed to the creation of levels of stability that allowed for a viable political process to unfold and governance to take place in the country.”
2016-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7674 (2016) · source
“While we welcome those developments, we also urge the timely nomination of the other electoral organs and the completion by the technical committee of the election implementation plan, including its subsequent ratification by the Federal Parliament. Somalia now has three emergent states members of the federation, each with an elected leader presiding over a cabinet of ministers and an elected assembly. We urge the Federal Government to continue to push for the timely conclusion of the process for the establishment of the final state of the federation, which will bring together the two regions of Hiraan and Middle Shabelle.”
2016-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7674 (2016) · source
“That is a step in the desired direction, and collaboration, mutual tolerance and readiness will continue to define the success of the electoral process and other political aspects in Somalia in accordance with Vision 2016. As much as it is still below the desired threshold of the one person/one vote model, we commend the introduction of electoral colleges for the 2016 elections, which will be significantly larger than the small number of elders who chose the leaders of the current central Government and members of the Federal Parliament four years ago. With the present electoral model, the 2016 process is anticipated to be more inclusive and representative. We remain ready to support the Government and the people of Somalia in that endeavour.”
2016-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7674 (2016) · source
“I am happy to note that the dynamic and proactive relationship that has developed among Somalia's Federal and regional leaders in the context of the National Leadership Forum is allowing for the enhancement of synergies, mutual accommodation, collaboration and the consolidation of a common vision for Somalia. Earlier this month, with limited intervention by international partners, Somali leaders met and signed off on the practical details of the 2016 electoral model, as stated by Mr. Keating. They unanimously adopted a joint declaration spelling out the general principles and guidelines for the implementation of the electoral model they agreed upon during the January meeting of the National Leadership Forum. In that respect, the AU looks forward to the conduct of elections in Somalia by August 2016, based on that consensual model.”
2016-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7674 (2016) · source
“Mr. Antonio: Let me start by thanking you, Mr. President, and congratulating you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month and for giving us this opportunity to address the Council on the situation in Somalia. This is an opportunity to exchange Views on the recent political and security situation. As the African Union (AU), we would also like to focus on an update on the operations of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). I would like to thank Mr. Keating for his very insightful briefing, as well as for his cooperation on the ground. I would also especially like to welcome His Excellency the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia to the Council. Since the last briefing by the African Union (see S/PV.7614), Somalia seems firmly set on the path to polls later this year.”
2016-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7674 (2016) · source
“In conclusion, I would like to reiterate the commitment of the AU to fully shouldering its share of the responsibility in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism. We should also be mindful of the fact that we all have that responsibility and that we must act collectively to confront this scourge, which not only undermines international peace and security but also the very values and principles that have long characterized our diverse and democratic societies.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670 (2016) · source
“The recent operationalization of the African Mechanism for Police Cooperation will also greatly enhance the continent's capacity to address the threat posed by terrorism and transnational organized crime. With regard to the issue of financing terrorism, the African Union has frequently expressed its deep concerns about the reported financial flows coming from outside the continent in support of terrorist and extremist groups, and has stressed the importance of investigating the matter in order to determine the extent of the problem and make recommendations on how to address it comprehensively. It should also be noted that the African Union prohibits the payment of ransoms in exchange for hostages and requests that such acts be considered crimes.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670 (2016) · source
“In that regard, it is worth recalling that a number of security cooperation mechanisms have already been established to encourage better coordination and information exchange among member States, notably within the frameworks of the Nouakchott Process, the Sahel Fusion and Liaison Unit, the Djibouti Process for Eastern Africa, and the Eastern Africa Fusion and Liaison Unit. In that regard, the progress made on the ground by the troop-contributing countries to the African Union Mission in Somalia in the fight against the terrorist group Al-Shabaab should be acknowledged and fully supported in every way by the international community. Any reduction in its resources will have a very bad impact on the gains realized so far.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670 (2016) · source
“The African Union has also undertaken numerous capacity-building initiatives to enhance the capacity of its member States to combat terrorism. The commitment of the African Union was further demonstrated during the recent Summit of the AU Peace and Security Council, held on 29 January, which, among other things, reviewed the AU efforts against terrorism. The Summit reaffirmed the continued relevance of the instruments adopted by the Organization of African Unity and the AU in past years and called for renewed efforts to combat extremism and radicalizing religious interpretations that foster intolerance and violence. The Summit also agreed to pursue and intensify efforts to support the establishment of regional cooperation mechanisms aimed at addressing specific transnational threats in different parts of the continent.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670 (2016) · source
“This threat has, in the past decade, assumed greater proportions by expanding geographically and displaying unprecedented levels of violence in various parts of the continent. In the face of these challenges, the African Union (AU) and its regional mechanisms have remained committed and actively engaged in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism. The relevant AU policy organs have articulated a comprehensive framework for the implementation of AU and international counter-terrorism instruments in Africa. The 1999 Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism and its 2004 Supplementary Protocol, as well as the 2002 plan of action and the establishment of the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism, continue to provide a sound legal and institutional basis for enhanced cooperation among member States.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670 (2016) · source
“I reiterate the African Union's strong and unequivocal rejection of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, as well as its strong condemnation of all terrorist acts, which cannot be justified under any circumstances. I once again express the continent's solidarity with the affected countries and victims, whose plight should be fully acknowledged and addressed. It is also our strong belief that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality or civilization. Likewise, terrorism should not be equated with the legitimate struggle of peoples under foreign occupation to achieve their inalienable right to self-determination. In Africa, terrorism and violent extremism still represent the most serious threat to peace and security.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670 (2016) · source
“Mr. Antonio: Allow me first of all to congratulate you, Sir, upon your assumption of the Security Council presidency for this month, and for convening this important and very timely debate. I would also like to thank the Secretary-General for his very insightful briefing. Today's debate is taking place against the backdrop of ever-increasing challenges in the area of peace and security due to the rise of terrorism and violent extremism. The recent terrorist attacks in many capitals of the world, which shocked the conscience of the international community, came as a further illustration of the magnitude of the challenges at hand.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670 (2016) · source
“The AU has already begun to integrate such training into its African Standby Force programme. And, fourthly, we must invest more in conflict prevention and in women's prevention initiatives.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“It is from this perspective that the African Union is developing a continental results framework to strengthen the monitoring of the implementation by Member States of their commitments on the women and peace and security agenda. In our view, more efforts are needed from both the United Nations and the African Union in the following areas. First, the proportion of the women in the police component of peace operations must be increased. Secondly, we must ensure that the terms ofreference of mediation and peacebuilding processes have a clear component of women's participation as the basis of their delivery and accountability towards the implementation of the women and peace and security agenda. Thirdly, training programmes on women and peace and security must be made mandatory.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“The programme is designed to serve as a framework for the development of effective strategies and mechanisms for the increased participation of women in the promotion of peace and security. It also aims to enhance the protection of women in conflict and post-conflict situations in Africa. The African Union has also conducted training with Member States on women peace mediators, women election observers and gender advisers, and it has succeeded in deploying female peacekeepers and female police in peace-support operations such as the African Union Mission in Somalia. Despite the progress made so far, a great deal remains to be done to ensure women's equal participation in conflict prevention, management and conflict resolution as well as in post-conflict peacebuilding. Policies are plentiful; where we fall short is in their implementation.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“To enhance the protection of women's rights, the AU seeks to promote international and regional commitments on peace and security, as well as to strengthen women's participation in peace and security efforts through the AU Peace and Security Department, the Peace and Security Council and the Panel of the Wise. Starting with the leadership of its own paramount continental institution, Africa adopted the principle of parity and acted on it. Indeed, the AU Commission has achieved parity in its leadership and is now moving towards 50/50 workforce parity, in line with the AU gender policy adopted in 2009. Furthermore, to enhance the role of women in peace and security, the African Union Commission launched a five-year gender, peace and security programme.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“By choosing to put women at the centre of the continent's deliberations, the African Union sought to reinforce the continent's resolve to bring down all types of barriers that impede the emancipation of women and girls in Africa and to strengthen their agency and rights, especially in priority areas such as education, health, participation in decision-making at all levels, economic empowerment and peace and security. In January 2014, the African Union became the first continental organization to appoint a Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security, with the specific mandate to ensure that the voices of women and children, particularly those affected by conflict, are heard and to advocate at the highest levels for the rightful participation and contribution of women in conflict resolution and peacebuilding.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“The issue of women and peace and security remains a priority, both on the agenda of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government as well as on the agenda of the African Union Peace and Security Council. Indeed, the African Union declared 2010-2020 to be the African Women's Decade, with the overarching theme of gender equality and women's empowerment. The year 2015 was the Year of Women's Empowerment and Development towards Africa's Agenda 2063, while 2016 is the Year of Human Rights, with particular focus on the rights of women.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“To cite an example, members may recall the decisive role played by the women of Liberia in the signing of the 2003 Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement through the efforts of the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace. Africa cannot afford to ignore the role of women if we are to realize the vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful continent. The Republic of Angola, which you represent today, Madam, is another example. Angolan women not only played a critical role in the liberation of the country from colonialism, but they also stood for peace and demonstrated pan-Africanism in the early years of the country's independence. In fact, we all remember that the country that you represent today, Madam, hosted the headquarters of the Pan-African Women's Organization in the early years of independence.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“Today's debate provides an excellent opportunity that we must seize in order to demonstrate our commitment to take forward the ambitious recommendations emerging from the recent United Nations policy reviews on peace and security issues. The role of women in preventing and resolving conflicts must be made a reality, rather than allowed to remain a mere statement that dates back several decades. Our discourse on this issue must include no longer looking at women merely as victims, but rather recognize and encourage their demonstrated capacities to be part of peace and development efforts. The experiences of many countries have clearly shown that lasting peace cannot be achieved, and reconstruction will never succeed, with half the population excluded and marginalized.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“Mr. Antonio: On behalf of the Commission of the African Union, allow me, Madam President, to start by commending you for convening this timely and very important debate, and also to thank you for this opportunity to brief the Security Council and share our views on a matter of great importance to the African Union. Your presence here to preside over today's discussion highlights the critical importance of this debate and bears witness to your personal commitment and that of the Republic of Angola to the fundamental purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. It also serves to highlight Angola's determination to make a substantial contribution to the work of the Security Council. I also thank the previous speakers for their insightful presentations.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“Today's debate also represents an opportunity to recall the need to continue the reform of the United Nations, to adapt its mechanisms and to modernize its instruments so as to enable it to fulfil its mission with greater effectiveness. The completion of the process of revitalizing the General Assembly, as well as the long-awaited reform of the Security Council, should end the historical injustice inflicted on Africa. Those processes remain essential to making the Organization more effective and more representative of the current global balance.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“In that regard, concrete steps must be taken to strengthen the effectiveness of the joint annual consultations, both between the Security Council and African Union Council of Peace and Security, and between the Secretariat and the African Union Commission. Furthermore, we look forward to the General Assembly's efforts to enshrine and give concrete form to the new United Nations-African Union partnership on Africa's integration and development agendas, which are designed to succeed the 10-year African Union Capacity-building Programme. The new programme represents a new vision. It includes specific recommendations on the nature of the support expected from the United Nations system in various areas of activity.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“It also marks the end of the 10-year Capacity-building Programme of the African Union. That offers us a unique opportunity to take stock of the partnership between our two organizations, to draw the appropriate lessons from past experience, to recognize both our successes and our failures and to identify the ways and means of strengthening our cooperation with a view to responding better to challenges. That strategic partnership represents an asset for both the United Nations and the African Union. It should be reinforced so as to enable both organizations to achieve greater consistency in their policies, based on prior consultation before taking any decisions and on a common understanding of the issues and a common definition of shared priorities.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“However, one of the major obstacles that the African Union regularly faces in that context concerns the lack of flexible, sustained and predictable financing. It is essential that the peacekeeping operation review process find an appropriate solution to that issue, bearing in mind that peacekeeping efforts made at the regional level also represent a contribution to the maintenance of international peace and security, in accordance with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations. The African Union, in a decision of its Assembly of the Heads of State and Government, has committed to ensuring that 25 per cent of its budget is designated for peacekeeping operations. This year also marks the tenth anniversary of the annual consultations between the Security Council and the African Union Council of Peace and Security.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“Since 2003, it has mandated the deployment of more than 70,000 uniformed personnel and nearly 1,500 civilians in nine operations. The stabilization efforts undertaken by those missions and the sacrifices made by their personnel have greatly facilitated the task of the United Nations missions that have subsequently taken up the reins. In parallel to the deployment of peacekeeping operations on the ground, the African Union has also worked to build long-term capacity through the African Standby Force. That Force makes possible an appropriate response aimed at remedying some of the shortcomings seen in recent operations led by the African Union, which relate to planning, force-generation, command, monitoring and support for missions.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“In the tradition of its strategic partnership with the United Nations, the African Union has espoused the purposes and principles outlined in the Charter of the United Nations. Article 3 of the Constitutive Act of the African Union enshrines those objectives and underlines the need to promote the conditions that favour international cooperation, taking due account of the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The contribution of the African Union to achieving the aim of the Charter set out in paragraph 1, Article 1, namely, the maintenance of international peace and security, is now incontestable. Africa contributes more than 45 per cent of the peacekeeping personnel around the world.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“Those principles, which are of well-established legitimacy, must continue to guide United Nations efforts to address both traditional and new threats to international peace and security. Those fundamental values require a new dynamism in order to silence the weapons in the many areas of conflict around the world, end colonization and foreign occupation and eliminate poverty and famine, which, along with new terrorist threats, violent extremism and organized crime, make up the greatest challenges facing the United Nations. We must also work to reaffirm the principle of complementarity, as stipulated in Chapter VIII of the Charter. The provisions in that Chapter highlight the importance ofjudiciously combining the universal character of the United Nations with the advantages that regional approaches offer.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“It has been 70 years since the creation of the United Nations, yet the fundamental principles of the Charter of the United Nations can still stand the test of time and the world's crises, allowing the Organization to preserve the foundation guiding its work to achieve the triptych of peace, human rights and development. Guided by those fundamental values, the United Nations has added several accomplishments and many successes to its credit. Peace and security have been restored in many parts of the world, people have freed themselves from the yoke of colonialism in Africa, Asia and Latin America, and the world has experienced significant development in recent decades.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“On behalf of the President of the African Union Commission, Ms. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who could not join us owing to her schedule, allow me to express our warm congratulations to the friendly country ofthe Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on assuming the presidency of the Council for the month of February. I also wish to welcome the presence here this morning of Ms. Delcy Eloina Rodriguez Gomez, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Her noteworthy presence among us demonstrates both the unwavering attachment on the part of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to the fundamental principles of the Charter of the United Nations and its inspirational determination to provide a significant contribution to the Council's work. I also thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his valuable briefing this morning.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“In that context, the African Union, faithful to its tradition of the peaceful resolution of conflicts, remains convinced that negotiation and mediation are the main tools that should be more encouraged and explored in finding political solutions to conflicts.”
2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source
“Along with its operations on the ground, the African Union is investing in finding political solutions, as evidenced by our recent involvement in efforts to conclude peace agreements in Mali and in the Central African Republic, among places. In other situations, including in Somalia, the African Union continues to seek to reduce violence in order to encourage all stakeholders to relaunch the political process. As the Secretary-General highlights in his report (S/2015/682) on the implementation of recommendations of the High- level Independent Panel on Peace Operations, political solutions must be at the heart of all strategies that seek to ensure lasting protection for civilians.”
2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source
“Secondly, we have put in place robust mandates for African Union operations, which, in most cases, have among their main missions to protect civilians, to neutralize armed groups and terrorists and to promote the authority of the State. It should be emphasized that the practices of the African Union in the area of peacekeeping mark an advance when compared to those of the United Nations. They therefore prompt us to rethink the model of cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations pursuant to Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations. The model adapted to the circumstances I have described must also take into account how African Union operations are financed through contributions to the regular budget of the United Nations.”
2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source
“The resolute political will and sustained commitment of the African Union leaders with regard to the protection of civilian populations from the horrors of war has made non-indifference to human suffering a fundamental principle. The African Union approach in terms ofpeacekeeping, which is essentially based on that cardinal principle, has demonstrated our continental organization's capacity to adapt and respond to new challenges, particularly through the following means. First, we are involved in the deployment of peacekeeping operations in extremely hostile and unstable environments where no other organization is ready to venture.”
2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source
“The emergence of non-State armed actors and the increase in terrorism and violent extremism, as well as other related threats, serve rightly to underscore the need to adapt the concept of peacekeeping to those new realities while moving towards greater flexibility in the interpretation of traditional principles that have guided United Nations work in this area. Such an approach will mean that we must find a balance between, on the one hand, maintaining important aspects of the traditional principles of peacekeeping and, on the other hand, the utilization of force by operations that are deployed, particularly in Africa. The recent experience in Somalia and the Sahel demonstrates that it is timely and viable to use peacekeeping when it is a matter of combating such terrorist groups.”
2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source
“Terrorist organizations such as Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, Boko Haram, Al-Shabaab, the Islamic State in Iraq and Sham and other opposing forces that are challenging all fundamental rights are primarily responsible for the violence committed against civilians in Africa. Moreover, peacekeeping operations, which are the primary instrument of the United Nations to ensure the protection of civilians in armed conflict, are facing increasingly complex challenges, which has weakened their capacity to fulfil their protection mandates.”
2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source
“The indiscriminate and often deliberate attacks against civilians and humanitarian aid workers have become increasingly frequent in the past decade, as stated in the Secretary-General's June 2015 report (S/2015/453) on the protection of civilians. That harsh reality has become commonplace and has reached unacceptable levels in terms of the numbers and the degree of atrocities, notwithstanding the international legal framework that sanctifies human life. It is therefore evident that the problem is not due to any lack of an international framework for the protection of civilians; rather, it is due to the absence of implementation, including in those areas controlled by armed non-State actors or terrorist groups.”
2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source
“Allow me, at the outset, Mr. President, to express my sincere congratulations on your delegation's assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of January, which also coincides with the beginning of your country's tenure in this organ. My congratulations also go to the other new members - Egypt, Senegal, Ukraine and Japan - to which I wish every success. I also thank the Deputy Secretary-General, the Vice-President of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Oxfam Advisor for their briefings. This debate on the theme of the protection civilians in armed conflict is a timely one. As we look at the theatres of armed conflict today and the recent developments there, we are reminded of the harsh reality facing civilians, who continue to be number among the first victims in armed conflicts.”
2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source
“Crispus Kiyonga, in order to discuss with the Burundian authorities the modalities for resuming dialogue. In conclusion, I reiterate the call of the African Union to the Government of Burundi and other stakeholders concerned to weigh the gravity of situation and rise to the challenge. The future of their nation and the stability of the region depend on it. For its part, as the Peace and Security Council has pointed out, the African Union is determined to fully assume its responsibilities under the Protocol relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union and other relevant African instruments, in collaboration with the international actors concerned.”
2015-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7553 (2015) · source
“The escalation of violence and targeted assassinations against high-ranking Burundians, combined with political radicalization and rumors of military activity, attest to the volatility of the situation and highlight the already obvious need to work for a political solution to the current crisis. In that regard, let me echo the conviction expressed by the African Union Peace and Security Council that only a genuine and inclusive dialogue based on respect for the Arusha Agreement would allow the Burundian stakeholders to find a consensual solution, maintain the peace and consolidate democracy and the rule of law. The African Union strongly supports the efforts led by President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and therefore welcomes the visit to Burundi undertaken on 28 and 29 October by the Ugandan Minister of Defence, Mr.”
2015-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7553 (2015) · source