YouSaid · the spoken record

Bale

lines on the record: 54
first: 2009-03-18
most recent: 2019-02-04
sittings or episodes: 5
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

“In that regard, the members of the Economic Community of Central African States have affirmed their will to develop a strategy within the framework of the United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa, with the technical support of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa, the African Union and international partners, in order to eradicate the phenomenon of mercenarism in our subregion.”
2019-02-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8456 (2019) · source
“However, in order to effectively combat mercenarism in its current form, the adaptation of all instruments, taking into account the evolution of the phenomenon in its various current configurations, is a necessity requiring a more in-depth update with which national legislation must be aligned. Strengthening cooperation at the subregional, regional and international levels, based on genuine and decisive political resolve, is crucial to support the implementation of those revised instruments.”
2019-02-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8456 (2019) · source
“That text was adopted less than a month after the Additional Protocol of 1977 to the Geneva Conventions of 1949. Mercenarism is not identified by the 1977 Additional Protocol as a serious offense, whereas the African Convention criminalizes mercenaries and mercenarism. The United Nations International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries, of4 December 1989, considers mercenarism to be an offence. It entered into force on 20 October 2001. Some countries have adopted related national laws and regulations that contribute to their commitment to better governance of the phenomenon.”
2019-02-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8456 (2019) · source
“That agreement, known as the Kinshasa Convention, is a living expression of the will of our States to prevent the illicit and uncontrolled circulation of small arms and light weapons, particularly in areas of internal or border conflict. However, the issue of mercenarism is a complex and sensitive subject and combating mercenarism is no easy task - far from it - even if the issue has earned the unanimous condemnation of the international community. We have certainly dedicated international instruments to the issue. The Convention for the Elimination of Mercenarism in Africa, signed in Libreville on 3 July 1977, entered into force on 22 April 1985. It is an important regional instrument in view of the dangers that have been posed by mercenarism to many African States since the beginning of decolonization.”
2019-02-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8456 (2019) · source
“Strengthening cooperation at the subregional and regional levels in the areas of conflict prevention, peacekeeping and combating cross-border crime, terrorism and the illicit circulation of weapons - areas in which mercenaries are very active - are, among others, measures that resulted from those two meetings, which, as the Council is aware, contribute to reducing the impact of mercenary activities in conflicts. Improved demobilization and reintegration programmes have also proven to be a means of preventing former combatants from returning to service as new mercenaries. In that context of combating this phenomenon, we must include the entry into force of the Central African Convention for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, Their Ammunition and All Parts and Components That Can Be Used for Their Manufacture, Repair and Assembly.”
2019-02-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8456 (2019) · source
“The ministerial meeting of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, as well as the Joint Summit of the Economic Community of West African States and the Economic Community of Central African States Heads of State and Government on Peace, Security, Stability and the Fight Against Terrorism and Violent Extremism, which gathered the Heads of State and Government of West and Central African States in July 2018, touched on the problem of mercenarism, which affects the countries of the two subregions, which are already prey to maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea; the activities of terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Lord's Resistance Army; as well as transnational organized crime and security threats related to pastoralism and transhumance.”
2019-02-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8456 (2019) · source
“In the declaration that led to the consideration of this item, a commitment was made by members of the Economic Community of Central African States to making the necessary efforts and collaborating in order to eliminate the risk of mercenary infiltration in the countries of the subregion.”
2019-02-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8456 (2019) · source
“The African continent has suffered a great deal and continues to suffer from mercenaries who dangerously hamper its development. The issue of mercenaries is, in that respect, a major security concern for our countries and one that should engage us further. That is why my delegation welcomes its inclusion on the Council's agenda and hopes that today's debate will shed more light on this phenomenon, given the developments in the situation that call for renewed consideration. I am pleased to note that the issue of mercenarism is at the heart of the concerns of the leaders of the subregion. It was the subject of particular attention in Brazzaville at the forty-sixth meeting of the United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa.”
2019-02-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8456 (2019) · source
“It is well known that the promotion of confidence-building measures among States at the regional and subregional levels alleviates tensions and conflicts and promotes lasting peace, stability and sustainable development. Moreover, it has been noted that it is easier for these non-State actors - the mercenaries - to incite coups d'etat, destabilize legitimate institutions, carry out activities of economic and/or political intelligence-gathering, perpetrate acts of terrorism and participate in conflicts alongside mutineers, insurgents, rebels or other armed oppositions with a view to overthrowing legitimate Governments. It is clear that mercenary activities and related activities have, unfortunately, multiplied in conflict situations in recent years.”
2019-02-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8456 (2019) · source
“I would like to take this opportunity to commend the peace agreement reached on 2 February in Khartoum between the Government of the Central African Republic and armed groups, establishing high hopes for the reconstruction of that country of the subregion, at peace and reconciled with itself, which will hereafter be able to play its part in realizing the peace, security and development agenda in our Central African subregion. The issue of mercenaries - often scrutinized in the shadow of major current affairs such as terrorism or maritime piracy - does not receive much attention from the international community. Yet it is akin to other threats to peace, stability and security. By way of illustration, in the case of Central Africa, uncontrolled movements of illegal groups between States in our subregion have a negative impact on trust.”
2019-02-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8456 (2019) · source
“My delegation is extremely grateful to Equatorial Guinea for having invited the Congo to participate in this important debate on mercenarism, with particular reference to the Central African subregion. Equatorial Guinea represents a victimized African country, not to mention one that has endured more than one attempt at destabilization by mercenaries, the most recent of which took place in December 2017. The Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo - countries of the subregion - are further emblematic victims of predatory mercenary activities.”
2019-02-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8456 (2019) · source
“Mr. Bale (Republic of Congo) (spoke in French): At the outset, upon the accession of the sisterly Republic of Equatorial Guinea to the presidency of the Security Council for the month of February, allow me to convey to you, Mr. President, the heartfelt congratulations of your great friend and brother His Excellency Mr. Denis Sassou Nguesso, President ofthe Republic ofthe Congo, who was unable to travel to New York. He reiterates his support for your mandate, Sir, at the helm of this organ entrusted with maintaining international peace and security. Your presence, Mr. President, in this Chamber dedicated to peace and security throughout the world confirms your constant commitment to peace and development in Africa, particularly in our subregion of Central Africa.”
2019-02-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8456 (2019) · source
“In conclusion, I would like to assure Council members of the continued commitment of President Sassou Nguesso, in his triple capacity as current Chair-in-Office of the ICGLR, Chair of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region, and President of the Republic of the Congo, a country party to the Framework agreement. He will support any initiative that helps to coordinate our actions and to strengthen cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations to serve the noble cause of peace, in particular in the Great Lakes region.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8227 (2018) · source
“It is our duty to help it to regain lasting stability so that it can play the role to which its immense potential predisposes it and so that it can be deployed as a catalyst for integration, a vector of peace and stability. The Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework, with its Regional Oversight Mechanism, remains an essential mechanism for achieving lasting peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in the region. That is why the international community as a whole must mobilize around the efforts of the countries of the region in the context of strengthened and coordinated cooperation. The implementation of the Framework agreement requires greater political commitment on the part of the signatories to give it substance and life.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8227 (2018) · source
“Theproblems ofpeace and securityinthe Democratic Republic of the Congo and in the Great Lakes region, which have been the setting for conflict for decades, are undoubtedly linked to those of development, one conditioning the other. Starting now, we should be thinking beyond electoral deadlines, which cannot be an end in themselves. Making lasting peace and stability in the region, which is the aspiration of its peoples, also requires means other than electoral consultations. As we have said, and we can only agree with the obvious: the Democratic Republic of the Congo is undoubtedly the nerve centre of the Great Lakes region, and it is not in vain that it constitutes the cornerstone of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8227 (2018) · source
“However, the process of dialogue led by the East African Community, currently in a jam, will have to be relaunched under the impetus of the mediator, President Museveni, and the facilitator, former President Mkapa. The involvement of the African Union, which has maintained dialogue with regional leaders on ways and means to promote the East African Community's efforts, is being followed with great interest. It is worth noting that the release of 740 prisoners, a majority of whom were sentenced for participation in the insurrectional movement of 2015, is a reason for appeasement in the sociopolitical crisis in the country. With regard to relations between Rwanda and Burundi, the Chair of the ICGLR and the Regional Oversight Mechanism is continuing his efforts to alleviate tensions and improve relations between the two countries.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8227 (2018) · source
“The armed groups are called on to cease all hostilities and participate in the peace process under the aegis of the African Initiative for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic. The Chair of the ICGLR and the Regional Oversight Mechanism is following with great attention the dialogue process being led by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). He supported the efforts of the High-level Implementation Panel on the Sudan and South Sudan, and all African Union mechanisms supporting the progress achieved by IGAD in the implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan of August 2015. In Burundi, oversight of the process has allowed us to take note that a constitutional referendum is scheduled for May 2018.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8227 (2018) · source
“In Kenya, while the commitment made on 9 March 2018 by President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga to reconcile the country is to be welcomed, the reconciliation process must nevertheless be sustained with the support of the main actors. With respect to the follow-up of the implementation of the road map of the African Initiative for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic, the Chair of the ICGLR and Regional Oversight Mechanism and his colleagues have deplored the persistence of violence in the Central African Republic and reiterated their call to the international community to increase its support for the process of stabilization and national reconciliation.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8227 (2018) · source
“We therefore urge the political class and civil society of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to properly assess what is at stake by showing greater responsibility and the ability to go beyond themselves by privileging the general interest, in order to guarantee a peaceful electoral process. In this undertaking, the international community has a part to play in providing support and assistance that could prove decisive. Consequently, with foresight and respect for the sovereignty and independence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the parties to the Framework Agreement and the guarantors must honour their commitments, particularly in the regional and international mobilization efforts in favour of peace and stability in the country and, at the same time, work towards the implementation of the electoral road map.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8227 (2018) · source
“Since the publication of the electoral calendar on 5 November 2017, the alignment of the country around the holding of elections on 23 December 2018 has been strongly established. But those advances must not obscure the many challenges that could compromise the success of the process. Thy include respect for the road map by the political class as a whole, the financing of the elections and the logistics essential to their realization, the difficulties in mitigating the demands ofthe opposition now taken up by the Catholic Church and other religious denominations, and the strengthening of the country's security in relation to the activism of armed groups. We are entering the critical phase of the process.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8227 (2018) · source
“Moussa Faki Mahamat, to the need for a decision on the neutralization of negative forces following the recommendation on the strengthening of the Force Intervention Brigade of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a view to adapting it to the new challenges linked to the fight against the negative forces operating in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in order to maintain military pressure and intensify operations against the armed groups, in particular the Allied Democratic Forces, the Forces democratiques de liberation du Rwanda and the Kamuina Nsapu, which continue to destabilize the country. Furthermore, during the period under review, it must be acknowledged that the first electoral process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo made notable progress.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8227 (2018) · source
“The consultations, sometimes extended to include civil- society participants or other stakeholders, enabled the Chair of the Regional Oversight Mechanism to hold talks on 9 January in Brazzaville with the President of the Conference episcopale nationals du Congo, Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya, at the head of a delegation of Catholic bishops, following the repression of the Catholic demonstrations that had taken place on 31 December 2017 in Kinshasa. On 10 January 2018, the Chair of the ICGLR, drawing on the conclusions of the most recent summit on the stabilization and development of the region, drew the attention of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mr.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8227 (2018) · source
“Those summit meetings were held under the auspices of the current Chair-in-Office of the ICGLR and the Regional Oversight Mechanism, President Sassou Nguesso, together with the leaders of the Republic of Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo, President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco and President Joseph Kabila Kabange, respectively. They also met in Luanda for a third tripartite summit. These tripartite consultations made it possible to consider the political and security situation in the subregion, and in particular the evolution of the electoral process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The worrisome security situation in eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo was also at the centre of their exchanges, which ended with a firm condemnation of the activism of the armed groups.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8227 (2018) · source
“The particular attention paid to the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is undoubtedly commensurate with the country's strategic position in the Great Lakes region. Five months after the seventh summit of Heads of State and Government of the member countries of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, efforts have been made to stabilize the subregion. Developments in the region, and particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, have led the ICGLR to hold two tripartite meetings: in Brazzaville on 9 December 2017 and in Kinshasa on 14 February 2018.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8227 (2018) · source
“The Special Envoy, WHO works closely with the countries of the subregion and whose regular consultations are appreciated by the Chair-in-Office, has delineated all of the issues in a comprehensive manner. I would ask the Council to allow me to limit my remarks to a synopsis of the activities of the combined presidency of the Regional Oversight Mechanism and the ICGLR. Since the holding of the seventh ICGLR summit and the eighth high-level meeting of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region on 19 October 2017, in Brazzaville, the Chair-in-Office of the two bodies has been constantly monitoring the political and security situation in the countries of the region.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8227 (2018) · source
“Among other things, I would mention the summit's adoption of the recommendations of the Self-financing Mechanism of the Regional Initiative to Fight against Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources, which is an essential tool for successfully combating the illegal exploitation of natural resources in the Great Lakes region. The aim is to eradicate that scourge and ultimately achieve sustainable natural-resource management, which is one of the six pillars ofthe Great Lakes Regional Strategic Framework. The conclusions of the Regional Oversight Mechanism meeting could be summarized as follows: neutralization of negative forces; repatriation of disarmed combatants; and engagement of political dialogue and processes in the region. The Special Envoy laid out for us the remedies we intend to implement to tackle those scourges.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8227 (2018) · source
“Today's meeting is part of the momentum of the work of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, in particular that of its seventh ordinary summit of Heads of State and Government and eighth high-level meeting of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework that were held in Brazzaville, Republic ofthe Congo, on 19 October 2017. The ICGLR summit considered the political and security situation in the region within the broader theme, entitled "Fast-tracking implementation of the Pact to facilitate stability and development in the Great Lakes Region".”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8227 (2018) · source
“I am grateful to Special Envoy of the Secretary- General Said Djinnit, whose detailed briefing throws light on the tragedy unfolding before our eyes, but hope for a prosperous future remains possible through the regional cooperation mechanism that is the Framework agreement. Five years following the signing of the historic Addis Ababa agreement on 24 February 2013, the time has undoubtedly come to assess the level of commitment of each of the signatories to that instrument, which foreshadowed much hope, especially as symbolized by the end of the Mouvement du 23 mars rebellion.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8227 (2018) · source
“Mr. Bale (Republic of the Congo) (spoke in French): Today's Security Council meeting is taking place within the historical context of the five-year anniversary of the signing of the Addis Ababa Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region, in keeping with the spirit of paragraph 24 ofresolution 2389 (2017). I therefore thank you, Sir, for associating this commemorative meeting with the dual chairmanship of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework and of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), which was entrusted to President Denis Sassou Nguesso. Accordingly, we have been afforded the opportunity to share the region's vision with Council members.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8227 (2018) · source
“In order for the Framework agreement's integrated peace, security and development approach to fulfil its promise, each and every stakeholder - signatories, guarantors and members of the international community - must uphold their commitments so that the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes region can finally vanquish the demons of chronic instability and recurring war, so that their long- suffering inhabitants can finally hope for a more secure and prosperous future.”
2013-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7011Resumption1 (2013) · source
“Here we call for strict compliance by all with the provisions of the Framework agreement. That mechanism represents an undeniable opportunity for peace and stability, not only for the Democratic Republic of the Congo but for the Great Lakes region as a whole. As we belong to the same geographical area and must focus all of our efforts on common economic and social development, we have no other choice.”
2013-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7011Resumption1 (2013) · source
“I wish particularly to underscore my country's great interest in the regular consultations that she is organizing with signatory countries and their representatives in New York. This approach is consistent with our vision of the partnership that the United Nations must develop with the countries of the region, building on the efforts and initiatives undertaken at the regional and subregional levels. The Congo supports such action and urges the countries of the region and the international community as a whole to support them in the implementation of the road map. In the same vein, my country's Government calls on the Council to work to effectively implement all of the provisions of resolution 2098 (2013), while encouraging the parties concerned to focus, to the extent possible, on dialogue.”
2013-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7011Resumption1 (2013) · source
“It is clear that the implementation of any agreement, even one signed in good faith, can prosper only in a climate of mutual trust. The recent consultations with President Kabila Kabange, held in Brazzaville on 19 July, must be seen in that context. On that occasion, President Sassou Nguesso reaffirmed his willingness to contribute to all approaches and support all efforts to find lasting peace in that fraternal country. Allow me to associate the commitment made by of our Heads of State with the decisive role of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region, Ms. Mary Robinson, whose actions are a real driver for the implementation of the Framework agreement.”
2013-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7011Resumption1 (2013) · source
“The mini-summit, held on 24 March in Oyo in the Republic of Congo, initiated by President Denis Sassou Nguesso and attended by President Joseph Kabila Kabange of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda is therefore rightly seen by the Secretary-General as being among the diplomatic and political initiatives inspired by the Framework Agreement. It was held only one month after the signing of the Framework agreement, on 24 February in Addis Ababa, and is, in our view, a useful contribution to the implementation of that important instrument and a catalyst for building confidence among the parties concerned. The same is true of the various consultations that have taken place with its authors.”
2013-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7011Resumption1 (2013) · source
“This is demonstrated by the ongoing deployment of troops to the Force Intervention Brigade; the domestic measures taken by the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as announced by its Minister for Foreign Affairs in this Chamber, in accordance with its obligations; and the active participation of their respective high representatives in the technical support committee, which has already held two meetings in Nairobi in the space ofa month.”
2013-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7011Resumption1 (2013) · source
“As tragic as it is, the deterioration of the situation cannot be allowed to shake the oft-reiterated will of our Heads of State, who have undertaken to support the initiative of the Secretary-General through their commitment to the Framework agreement and, in a common spirit, have striven to meet the peace and security challenge in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in the Great Lakes region in general. By taking ownership of that important instrument, they have played their rightful role in seeking to save that brotherly country from its tragic fate of destabilization and recurrent wars, which are impeding its progress towards development.”
2013-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7011Resumption1 (2013) · source
“The resurgence of fighting clearly demonstrates the volatility of the situation and the scale of the challenges to be overcome, not only with regard to the implementation of the Framework, but also given the humanitarian tragedy and the various forms of violence it encompasses, especially against civilians, including the women and children who seem to be the victims of choice. My country, which strongly condemns all those forms of violence, believes that every effort should be made to put an end to the suffering of the people of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2013-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7011Resumption1 (2013) · source
“Mr. Bale (Congo) (spoke in French): At the outset, I would like to express my delegation's deeep appreciation at seeing United States Secretary of State John Kerry presiding over this ministerial meeting of the Council. His presence among us today demonstrates the great interest of the United States in the tragic situation prevailing in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, which is a threat to international peace and security throughout the Great Lakes region. The report of the Secretary-General to the Security Council on the implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region (S/2013/387), published barely one month ago on 28 June, remains fully relevant in light of the latest developments in that neighbouring country.”
2013-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7011Resumption1 (2013) · source
“Congo's support for the initiative to organize a summit on piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, with the goal of putting in place a collective, comprehensive strategy to eradicate this scourge, reflects the legitimate and pressing aspirations for peace, security and stability for our peoples and States, without which our peoples could never work towards true and lasting development.”
2012-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6723 (2012) · source
“Congo's commitment to combat this scourge and all its ramifications has therefore been ongoing, both at the national and at the regional and international levels. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate my Government's gratitude to the different bilateral and multilateral partners in support of our countries' individual and collective efforts to combat the scourge of maritime piracy. I call on them to continue their commitment in this undertaking, specifically by supporting ECCAS member States in their desire to effectively and immediately launch the activities of CRESMAC, which is a key link in the cooperation chain set up to fight maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.”
2012-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6723 (2012) · source
“An ECCAS good-offices mission has been established to secure those funds. However, effectively operationalizing the Centre is still a challenge owing to the difficulties associated with its financing and functioning. In the meantime, the Multinational Coordination Centre of Douala has been called upon to fill the gaps as much as possible. With the initial $600,000 in financing provided by the Congolese Government, construction is now under way to build CRESMAC's facilities on land that has been provided free of charge. The Republic of the Congo's individual involvement also extends to partial financing of equipment for the centre. By 1963, when maritime piracy was not as widespread as it is today, Congolese law already qualified piracy as a crime under our merchant marine code.”
2012-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6723 (2012) · source
“In 2009, ECCAS member States adopted a maritime security plan (SECMAR) to secure their vital interests at sea, to be implemented by the Regional Centre for Maritime Security in Central Africa (CRESMAC), which is based in the coastal city of Pointe-Noire in the Congo. CRESMAC, which will serve as the future nerve centre for the Central African strategy to fight maritime piracy, has the main mission of ensuring ECCAS member States' control over the maritime space. The implementation of SECMAR and CRESMAC's future operationalization reflect the undeniable leadership of our States in undertaking concerted, collective action this scourge. It has been determined that an exceptional financial contribution of approximately $1.4 million is needed to launch CRESMAC and begin work in the three zones identified by the strategy.”
2012-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6723 (2012) · source
“A reading of the assessment mission's report leaves one with the impression that there is a need for and effective functional synergy between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) aimed at combating maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. The Gulf of Guinea Commission should act as the link between the two organizations. In that regard, we welcome the meeting held in Abuja, as well as the one scheduled to take place next March. I would like to limit my statement to ECCAS member States of the Gulf of Guinea and share with the Council their response in meeting the host of challenges, which could in the future give rise to broader efforts to the entire area of the Gulf of Guinea.”
2012-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6723 (2012) · source
“The State of security in the Gulf of Guinea presents various challenges to peace and stability in the region. Threats stemming from uncontrolled industrial- scale overfishing, the insecurity provoked by pirates and that surrounding maritime navigation, and insecurity across borders all entail loss of human life, the taking of hostages, armed robbery, the destruction of economic infrastructure, diverting oil shipments, disturbances to maritime trade and even environmental hazards at oil installations. While their consequences are quite clear, they do not provide a full picture of the effects of such criminal actions, especially on community policies and on neighbouring countries lacking a coastline.”
2012-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6723 (2012) · source
“While there may not seem to be any links between the subject of the two debates, last Tuesday's debate showed that transnational crime and piracy - the latter being one manifestation of the former - is largely fuelled by the illicit circulation of weapons and narcotics, large-scale armed banditry and illegal immigration. The report of the Secretary-General (see S/2012/45) on the assessment mission, whose relevance I commend, highlights the main characteristics of maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. It also helps us to better grapple with this problem as part of a dynamic approach involving the other security challenges largely besetting African countries, in particular those of the Gulf of Guinea. The report specifically points to the threats to the vital interests of our countries and to our responses to those security challenges.”
2012-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6723 (2012) · source
“Mr. Bale (Congo) (spoke in French): On 21 February, the Security Council held an open debate (see S/PV.6717) on the impact of transnational organized crime on peace, security and stability in West Africa and the Sahel region. Today, the Togolese presidency has convened another debate on peace and security in Africa, this time to consider the problem of maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. We welcome this timely decision, which places the issue of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea in the context of the logical extension of last week's debate from a perspective that should lead to a concerted, comprehensive approach to this threat to peace and security in this part of the African continent.”
2012-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6723 (2012) · source
“Finally, by striving to meet the challenge of achieving peace and security, African States and the African Union, in a joint spirit of enthusiasm, wish to play their rightful role in extricating the African continent from its tragic fate of war, conflict and crisis, which is hampering its march towards development. To that end, they have quite rightly turned to the United Nations, which is a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations, to ensure that an Africa where peace and security reign can fully participate in international peace and security.”
2009-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6092Resumption1 (2009) · source
“The relevant recommendations set out in the report, while not exhaustive, enlighten us as to the path to be followed to make the difficult work of establishing and building peace more effective. The African Union has undertaken that task in its supplementary role, which cannot replace the primary role of the United Nations and its Security Council in the maintenance of international peace and security. However, this process is only in its infancy and should be followed up with an in-depth analysis of those recommendations in order to strengthen the human and institutional capacities of the African Union in the area of peacekeeping and to ensure that it has sufficient and predictable resources.”
2009-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6092Resumption1 (2009) · source
“The challenges that Africa is called upon to meet in order to establish and ensure lasting peace and security, particularly within the framework of peacekeeping operations, should promote more dynamic and better coordinated cooperation with the entire United Nations system, since the causes of conflicts and crises are as many as they are varied. Thus, such cooperation, if it is to be fruitful, must focus on strengthening the complementary efforts of those two bodies, particularly in the areas of preventive diplomacy and peacebuilding. In that context, my delegation would like to congratulate Mr. Romano Prodi and the African Union- United Nations panel that he chaired on their report on modalities for support to peacekeeping operations under a United Nations mandate, contained in document S/2008/813.”
2009-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6092Resumption1 (2009) · source
“The Council's recent decisions concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, the Central African Republic and Somalia reflect the concerns of Africa and open up promising prospects for peace and security in those countries - prospects that are, however, waiting to be realized. Here, my delegation highlights the relevance of the provisions of Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, which today serves as a springboard for developing the partnership between the United Nations and the African Union, in particular between the Security Council and the African Union Peace and Security Council.”
2009-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6092Resumption1 (2009) · source