YouSaid · the spoken record

Biang

lines on the record: 1,385
first: 2021-12-09
most recent: 2023-12-21
sittings or episodes: 203
sources: un-security-council

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

“We must take the necessary measures to curb that scourge before it takes root. Identifying the root causes and proposing viable solutions seem to us to be the beginning of strong action. In that regard, we commend the invaluable support provided by MONUSCO to the Congolese defence forces. We also welcome the coordination and communication efforts between the Congolese authorities and MONUSCO. It is essential that the MONUSCO transitional withdrawal plan be implemented based on an assessment of the benchmarks achieved. The withdrawal must be gradual, coordinated and concerted with the Forces armées de la République démocratique du Congo (FARDC) to avoid any recurrence of violence. We welcome the progress made in the implementation of the 18 benchmarks set out in the joint transition plan by the Congolese authorities.”
2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source
“The response against armed gangs must also be accompanied by substantial financial and material support for the disarmament, demobilization and community reintegration and stabilization programme. The success of that important programme will undoubtedly have a positive reflection on security, stabilization and development processes. The A3 notes with concern the increasing use of improvised explosive devices by rebels. Their use has a catastrophic impact on the safety and movement of populations. We condemn those barbaric acts in the strongest terms. The A3 also notes with serious concern an upsurge in atrocities and the clear presence of terrorist groups in the region. The international community must commit to doing more to challenge those groups, not only in the Democratic Republic of the Congo but also throughout the continent.”
2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source
“They should also adopt the certification mechanism of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region into national laws and practices in line with internationally agreed minimum standards, as well as establish internal systems of control, monitoring and verification to eliminate the presence of illicit mineral trade. In echoing the call of the Congolese authorities, the A3 stresses the value of sanctioning all individuals and entities involved in the illicit trafficking of mineral resources. Those activities incentivize armed groups to sustain their violence and contribute to intercommunal tensions. Undercutting the economic lifelines of armed groups is one of the keys to restoring sustainable peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source
“By strengthening its weapons and ammunition management system, the Government has demonstrated its commitment to implementing measures to ensure the control and management of weapons in its possession. (spoke in English) As we all know, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a victim of the richness of its mineral resources. Their illicit exploitation is the main source of destabilization and violence. We welcome the adoption by the Congolese Government of a national strategic plan for the exploitation and certification of mineral resources, which we very much hope will bring clarity to the exploitation of mineral resources in the Congo. We encourage neighbouring countries to implement their commitments under the Regional Initiative against the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources.”
2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source
“The conviction of 24 members of CODECO by the Congolese military courts merits acknowledgement in that regard. In order to build on that progress, the A3 advocates strengthening the judicial capacities of the Congolese State. In addition to those measures, the Council must address the issue of the arms embargo, which, in our view, limits the effectiveness of States’ military actions against rebel movements, which maintain and often build their capacity to cause harm through obtaining supplies through parallel markets. We ask the Council to accede to the legitimate request of the Congolese authorities to lift the notification requirement for the acquisition of arms.”
2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source
“The A3 is particularly concerned about the deteriorating security situation, especially in the provinces of Ituri and Kivu, owing to recurring attacks by armed groups. The eastern part of the Congo has been continuously faced by a cycle of unprecedented massacres and violence, the increased recruitment of child soldiers and barbaric acts perpetrated by the Allied Democratic Forces, the Coopérative pour le développement du Congo (CODECO) and other rebel groups, all of which are clearly intended to create a climate of fear among the population. The cycle of terror perpetuated by the armed groups has gone on for far too long. The supporters of armed groups and those who supply them with weapons must stop. The perpetrators of those crimes must be prosecuted and held accountable for their abominable actions.”
2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source
“The Mechanism, which is important and agreed upon by the States of the region, prioritizes diplomacy and dialogue to resolve border-related challenges and promote their economic development. The signing by the Congolese authorities of respective memorandums of understanding with Uganda and Rwanda, as well as the concerted military actions under way, are helping establish a constructive regional approach. In the interest of effectiveness and sustainability, the A3 recommends that the joint effort be expanded to cover all problems that are undermining stability in the region, including the thorny issue of the illicit exploitation of mineral resources. The authority of the Congolese State must be restored throughout the country, and the rule of law re-established in every part of the country.”
2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source
“The magnitude of what is at stake demands of us an even more steadfast commitment to the Congolese people in encouraging all political actors to demonstrate self-sacrifice and a spirit of consensus. We urge development partners to provide the financial and material support necessary for the implementation of the Government’s 2021-2023 programme of action, including the holding of local and national elections in 2023. The complexity of the issues facing the Democratic Republic of the Congo makes regional dynamics particularly relevant. In that regard, the A3 welcomes the holding the 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.”
2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source
“Marie-Josée Kapinga as the Deputy National Executive Secretary of the CENI — the first woman to hold that position— the Congolese authorities have clearly grasped the importance of the full participation in the electoral process by all segments of society, especially young people and women. Strengthening institutions and consolidating the democratic gains of recent years are the main political challenges vis-à-vis the upcoming elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Security Council must support the positive momentum of the Congolese authorities by bringing realistic and concrete proposals that are commensurate with the crucial challenges on the ground.”
2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source
“With regard to the political situation, we welcome the opening of the March parliamentary session and are encouraged by the commitment of President Mr. Félix- Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo to hold elections in 2023, in accordance with the constitutional timelines. We welcome the adoption of the electoral road map by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI). The express commitment the Congolese authorities to respecting the electoral deadlines will give credibility to the democratic process leading to free, inclusive and transparent elections. By appointing Ms.”
2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source
“Mr. Biang (Gabon) (spoke in French): I have the honour to make this statement on behalf of the African members of the Security Council (A3), namely, Kenya, Gabon and Ghana. I take this opportunity to commend the outstanding work of Special Representative of the Secretary-General Bintou Keita. Her detailed briefing provides additional elements enabling a better assessment of the activities of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and the situation in the country. I also welcome the presence of the Permanent Representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo at this meeting. The statement of the A3 will focus on three main points: the political situation, the security situation and the humanitarian situation.”
2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source
“Mr. Biang (Gabon) (spoke in French): We took the floor this afternoon in the General Assembly (see A/ES-11/PV.8). We take it again now to make clear and underline our principled position on the humanitarian issue. It will not change because we believe in the values underlying humanitarian issues. We believe that the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their additional protocols are the framework for humanitarian issues must not be combined with any political posturing — tactical or strategic. We abstained in the voting on draft resolution S/2022/231 and will always do so when humanitarian issues are dividing humankind. We will abstain in the voting every time we believe that humanitarian issues are being instrumentalized for hidden purposes.”
2022-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9002 (2022) · source
“In conclusion, I would like to welcome at the end of our debate today the adoption of the draft presidential statement submitted by the United Arab Emirates and call once again for strengthening cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations, including interregional partnerships. One of the main benefits of doing so would be to support the United Nations in one of its central missions, namely, the maintenance of peace and security in the world. It is essential today to achieve synergy of action between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations. Such synergy would be a decisive step towards the fulfilment of our international commitments and our common will to considerably improve collective security, particularly through conflict-prevention, peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts.”
2022-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9001 (2022) · source
“That requires stable and predictable financial, logistical and technical support as well as capacity-building. Secondly, cooperation must be based on better coordination and communication. Terrorism, transnational crime, humanitarian crises and natural disasters are all complex and interdependent challenges that require the involvement of several actors, and therefore regular and rapid exchange of information. Thirdly, coherent crisis-management and crisis- resolution mechanisms, with clearly defined tasks and responsibilities among the various actors, need to be established. That would allow for the development of agreed policies between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations, with a view to dealing effectively with crisis situations.”
2022-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9001 (2022) · source
“While it is true that, through its actions in recent years, the United Nations has made real efforts to engage in regional and subregional partnerships, the multiplicity of crises and their increasingly complex nature require us to do more. I would like to address three key directions for a more productive partnership between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in general, and between the Organization and the Arab League in particular. First, the United Nations-Arab League partnership must be based on complementarity and comparative advantages. In addition to the advantage of in-depth knowledge of their regions, regional and subregional organizations are, through their regional mechanisms, able to mobilize and deploy rapidly on the ground.”
2022-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9001 (2022) · source
“Such a cooperation dynamic is all the more necessary because in a security context marked by multifaceted crises — and exacerbated by an unprecedented pandemic — the number of requests made of the United Nations, together with the increasingly regional nature of these crises, requires the Organization to be better connected to the realities on the ground in order to make its actions more effective. It goes without saying that the involvement of regional actors alongside the United Nations makes it possible to strengthen the effectiveness of stabilization processes and to better understand persistent threats.”
2022-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9001 (2022) · source
“That shared destiny also means a shared narrative in applying endogenous solutions to regional crises, naturally involving young people, as Secretary-General Aboul Gheit and Ms. Razan Alaqil have pointed out. Notwithstanding the diversity of approaches within the Arab League and the dynamics of fragmentation within the Council on the region’s security challenges, cooperation between the United Nations and the Arab League in particular — and among regional organizations in general — must remain at the heart of the global agenda for the settlement of crises.”
2022-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9001 (2022) · source
“Beyond those achievements, the turmoil in the region covered by the Arab League and the magnitude of the issues involved call for even closer cooperation, particularly in the search for solutions to the cyclical crises in Syria, Yemen, Libya, the Sudan, Somalia and the Sahel, as well as for the peace process in the Middle East. It is important to go beyond the periodic meetings set forth in the presidential statements adopted by the Council in June 2019 (S/PRST/2019/5) and January 2021 (S/PRST/2021/2) and to effectively strengthen cooperation through trilateral interaction among the United Nations, the Arab League and the African Union on cross-cutting peace and security concerns. Almost half of the Arab population lives in Africa. That sociological reality seals the shared destiny between the Arab League and the African Union.”
2022-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9001 (2022) · source
“Since their creation in 1945, cooperation between the United Nations and the Arab League has continued to take shape over the years, encompassing different aspects such as conflict prevention, mediation, peacekeeping, peacebuilding, disarmament, the fight against terrorism and violent extremism, the protection of human rights, the coordination of humanitarian aid and the promotion of economic and sociopolitical development. More recently, the two organizations jointly advocated against the effects of the current health crisis and climate change. In addition, the United Nations established a Liaison Office to the Arab League and, recently, appointed its leadership. We welcome that step.”
2022-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9001 (2022) · source
“The choice of addressing this topic highlights the positive role played by the cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security, in accordance with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations. Cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States is one of the issues regularly discussed within the Council. As recently as last year, in January to be precise, the Council held an important debate (see S/2021/66) to hammer home the essential partnership between the two entities, created the same year with a series of objectives related to ensuring international peace and security.”
2022-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9001 (2022) · source
“Mr. Biang (Gabon) (spoke in French): I welcome your participation, Minister Shaheen Almarar, in presiding over this debate, which allows us to recall our firm conviction that regional and subregional organizations are essential players in the response to international crises and conflicts and that the regional narrative must be central in the consideration of matters submitted to the Security Council. I thank Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, as well as Ms. Razan Farhan Alaqil, for their informative briefings.”
2022-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9001 (2022) · source
“Tor Wennesland, and for his efforts aimed at reviving the peace process between Israel and Palestine, thereby contributing to stability in the region.”
2022-03-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9000 (2022) · source
“We reiterate our vision of a two-State solution, which cannot be achieved without the firm political commitment and will of the parties, as well as the active support of the international community, including regional actors. In this regard, the recent meeting between the King of Jordan and the Israeli Foreign Minister is a step in the right direction. Likewise, the role played by the King of Morocco, in his capacity as Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, in preserving the special status of the Holy City as a symbol of the common heritage of humankind, of the peaceful coexistence of the three monotheistic religions, and as a place of dialogue and mutual respect, is to be commended. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate our support for the Special Coordinator, Mr.”
2022-03-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9000 (2022) · source
“Accordingly, the recent meeting between the Israeli Foreign Minister and a delegation of senior Palestinian Authority officials, the second such public meeting in less than two months, sends an encouraging signal. The solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict requires the rapid resumption of negotiations for a real and lasting peace, based on respect for the principles agreed upon by the parties and on the application of the rules of international law. This solution must also be based on the legitimate aspiration and rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and on addressing Israel’s security concerns.”
2022-03-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9000 (2022) · source
“Without significant financial support, civilian populations risk facing extreme vulnerability, which has a domino effect on the deteriorating security environment, with the consequent loss of access to health-care services, education and food. This situation would only dramatically increase social unrest, violence and poverty on the ground. The need for trust between Israel and Palestine, as well as the need for dialogue, is therefore imperative, with a view to easing tensions, seeing the renunciation of provocations and preserving human lives. The dialogue between Israel and Palestine must be serious, in good faith and as inclusive as possible.”
2022-03-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9000 (2022) · source
“The climate of tension, exacerbated by brutality, the disproportionate use of force against civilians, the expansion of settlements and the actions resulting therefrom are likely to undo any prospect for peace and fuel the cycle of instability. We encourage the Israeli and Palestinian authorities to exercise restraint and invest in peaceful coexistence, while giving peace a greater chance. In this respect, the Israeli Supreme Court’s decision to suspend the evictions of four Palestinian families in the sensitive Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of East Jerusalem sets the tone for appeasement. In addition to the worrying security situation, the humanitarian and economic situation in the Palestinian territories remains alarming, owing to the unprecedented financial crisis facing the Palestinian Authority.”
2022-03-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9000 (2022) · source
“Mr. Biang (Gabon) (spoke in French): I thank Special Coordinator Tor Wennesland for his briefing on the latest developments in the Middle East, including with regard to the implementation of resolution 2334 (2016). This meeting is being held in a particularly tense regional context, with Ramadan, Passover and Easter approaching. Violence in recent weeks, particularly in the occupied Palestinian territories and in the Old City of Jerusalem, has raised fears of a deadly escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian crisis. Many of these violent incidents are increasingly taking place among civilians, particularly young people, as Tor Wennesland noted in his briefing earlier.”
2022-03-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9000 (2022) · source
“Despite temporary setbacks, they can build back better and stronger. But to build a strong, prosperous nation for themselves and their descendants, they must all show flexibility and compromise, choosing to put the interests of the country ahead of individual interests. We urge each side to forgo individual demands today for the collective good of tomorrow. Finally, we reaffirm our solidarity with the Libyan people in the pursuit of a truly Libyan-led and Libyan- owned peace process. We also reaffirm our respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Libya.”
2022-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8996 (2022) · source
“We also condemn the provision of targeted resources and the dissemination of information that shore up such treatment. Those concerned must respect the relevant norms of international law and cooperate with the international community to find viable ways to tackle the root causes of that migration. As Europe shows its empathy for refugees from Ukraine, we urge the European Union to show the same compassion, in keeping with international humanitarian law, to Africans fleeing security and climate crises foe which they are not responsible. With regard to sanctions, we recall that all frozen Libyan assets must be preserved and eventually returned to the Libyan people. We therefore recall the need to protect them from loss or misappropriation. We encourage the Libyan people to stay the course for peace.”
2022-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8996 (2022) · source
“Given the inextricable link between Libya, the Sahel and the whole of the African continent, we recommend that the Secretary-General make use of the vast body of African expertise available in the context of the high-level United Nations leadership to achieve progress in the dialogue between the parties and strengthen coordination with States of the region. We reiterate our deep concern regarding the suffering of the thousands of migrants and refugees in Libya. The persistent interception and return to Libyan ports of migrants crossing the Mediterranean to seek a better life in Europe are not lasting solutions. Moreover, the creation of waiting areas with inhuman conditions is unacceptable. We condemn the degrading treatment suffered by migrants and call upon all stakeholders to stop such practices.”
2022-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8996 (2022) · source
“It is therefore important that that DDR process be conducted in close coordination with neighbouring States based on the competent regional and subregional mechanisms and the support of the international community. We wish also to stress the fact that the regional fragility resulting from the accumulation of foreign combatants and mercenaries creates a climate that is conducive to the development of terrorism. In that regard, it is crucial to help Libya to bolster its capacity to combat terrorism.”
2022-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8996 (2022) · source
“We encourage the members of the Council to work towards a consensus based upon those elements in the context of a substantial renewal of the mandate of UNSMIL for a significant amount of time. Thirdly, there is a need for the implementation of guarantees against the consequences of instability in the region. The presence and continued activity in Libya of foreign combatants and mercenaries undermines the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country and complicates the peace process. That presence also constitutes a threat to the Sahel region, whose porous borders facilitate the free movement of those forces. Their withdrawal from Libya will require follow- up and coordination to ensure their disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) into their countries of origin.”
2022-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8996 (2022) · source
“We also underscore the need for an inclusive process that takes all protagonists, including women and young people, into account, with a view to greater ownership and acceptance of the electoral results. We encourage the Libyan people to make use of the good offices of the Secretary-General and the African Union in the implementation of the national dialogue and reconciliation. My second point concerns a more robust mandate for the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). The mandate of UNSMIL is to support the peace process so as to give the Mission the resources necessary to respond effectively to the demands for peace at every stage of the process. The recommendations of last year’s independent strategic review must be implemented.”
2022-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8996 (2022) · source
“(spoke in French) We propose that the efforts of the United Nations and international partners be based on the following three imperatives. The first imperative is national dialogue and reconciliation. The A3 has always underlined the importance of prioritizing national dialogue and reconciliation, which are vital for an enduring exit from the political stalemate. It is indispensable that national dialogue and reconciliation be integrated throughout all stages of the peace process, including the unification of national institutions and the implementation of the comprehensive action plan of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission of 8 October 2021.”
2022-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8996 (2022) · source
“Indeed, the current political stalemate in Libya, as well as the reported increase in the movement of armed groups around Tripoli, is concerning since it threatens to erode the gains attained painstakingly attained, including on other tracks of the peace process. It is important that the stalemate be quickly broken. We therefore call for calm and restraint from all parties and encourage them to utilize the mediation channels on offer by the United Nations and the African Union, neighbouring States and other partners of goodwill. We acknowledge and support the desire of the people of Libya to hold elections. We commend them for having registered in large numbers as voters. It is important that the elections be grounded in a constitutional framework that enjoys the widest possible consensus.”
2022-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8996 (2022) · source
“I have the honour to make this statement on behalf of the three African members of the Security Council (A3), namely, Gabon, Ghana and Kenya. We thank Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo; Ambassador Tirumurti, Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011) concerning Libya; and Ms. Jazia Jibril Mohammed Shuaiter for their briefings and insightful perspective on the situation in Libya. We also welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Libya. Listening to the people of Libya, we have repeatedly heard their keen desire for a secure environment in which to pursue their socioeconomic and political aspirations. In the past one and a half years, they have made significant progress in their peace process.”
2022-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8996 (2022) · source
“Finally, we would like to express our support for Special Envoy Hans Grundberg for his tireless efforts in a complex environment. We positively note his engagement with all stakeholders in this crisis— national, regional and international actors — with a view to a political settlement of this crisis.”
2022-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8995 (2022) · source
“In that regard, we welcome tomorrow’s holding of a high-level pledging conference under the auspices of the Secretary-General to assist Yemen. However, as people’s survival cannot depend on the generosity of donors in the long term, the international community must also address the underlying factors of this crisis. I take this opportunity to once again call for the accountability of all perpetrators of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in Yemen. We also call for the access of the Special Envoy to all parts of the country. We welcome the signing of an agreement between the United Nations and the Houthis on the situation of the FSO SAFER tanker, which gives real hope of containing the environmental and humanitarian threats posed by that ship.”
2022-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8995 (2022) · source
“The ongoing sexual violence and repression against women, particularly women who are active in both the professional and the political spheres, are of the utmost concern to us. We condemn in the strongest terms the systematic use of arrest, detention, torture, sexual violence and rape against prominent women in Yemeni society. The humanitarian toll of the conflict is devastating and has an impact on the livelihoods of millions of Yemenis, while the country’s economy and basic services continue to collapse. Famine, disease, exacerbated by the coronavirus disease pandemic, and internal and cross-border displacement remain real concerns. While we are aware of the many challenges facing the international community, this situation calls for its renewed commitment.”
2022-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8995 (2022) · source
“Only an inclusive dialogue involving all segments of the Yemeni population, including women, will put an end to the suffering caused by the conflict to the civilian population. We urge all parties and actors to cease hostilities and exercise maximum restraint. The solution in Yemen is a political, not a military one. But that cannot be done without restoring trust and the willingness of all to compromise. We also denounce the indiscriminate use of landmines, particularly on the west coast, whose long-term consequences are appalling. Every year, anti-personnel landmines kill and maim tens of thousands of civilians, including children. Their multiple impacts cause long-term injuries, as well as severe psychological trauma.”
2022-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8995 (2022) · source
“In addition to being a threat to the region, the escalation of the conflict in Yemen puts the lives of millions of people at risk. Indeed, daily life for the Yemeni people has been marked in recent months by the multiplication of front lines and a record increase in the number of civilian casualties. The escalation of violence is most alarming given the continuation of fighting that is spreading to neighbouring States, which risks destabilizing the region further. It is clear that the implementation of the Stockholm and Hudaydah Agreements has been slow to materialize. The lack of progress on the political front contributes to the continuation of hostilities and hinders the restoration of State authority throughout Yemen, which is under severe strain.”
2022-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8995 (2022) · source
“Mr. Biang (Gabon) (spoke in French): I thank the Special Envoy for Yemen, Mr. Hans Grundberg, and the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Martin Griffiths, for their respective briefings. I welcome the participation of the representative of Yemen in this meeting. The briefings we just heard from Mr. Grundberg and Mr. Griffiths highlight a deplorable situation that is now spilling over into the region. The recent launch of a missile in the busy waters of the Red Sea exacerbates the insecurity of international shipping and highlights the strong propensity of the crisis to flare up. There is no doubt that the conflict in Yemen is multidimensional, but I will focus my statement on two aspects: first, the impasse in the security situation and secondly, its humanitarian consequences.”
2022-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8995 (2022) · source
“We hereby reiterate our solemn call on each and every member of the Security Council and beyond — to every member of the international community — to renew and realign themselves with our common commitment to ensure international peace and security for the peoples of the world. That is what we committed to when we signed the Charter of the United Nations. In conclusion, we encourage cooperation between the OSCE and the United Nations and express our support for the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in his efforts to find a solution to the crisis in Ukraine. We also express our appreciation for the remarkable efforts of those countries, in particular Poland, which have welcomed those fleeing the war in Ukraine.”
2022-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8992 (2022) · source
“In order to answer those questions rationally, we must acknowledge the urgency of the situation and act in line with its pressing security and humanitarian needs. My country has no experience of war and has never taken part in an armed conflict. Perhaps that is why we have always preferred dialogue to division and favoured political and diplomatic solutions over the use of force. It is that ideal which inspires our enthusiasm to sit at the Council table to help find solutions to the crises that plague the world. We must find a solution to the crisis in Ukraine because its consequences have a negative impact on the entire world and the values of the United Nations.”
2022-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8992 (2022) · source
“The most recent events, marked by the war in Ukraine and the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, call into question the ability of the OSCE to play its role as a bridge between the eastern and the western branches of its territorial jurisdiction and therefore its capacity to set in motion its conflict-prevention mechanisms for preventing and resolving all armed conflicts in its sphere of influence. With regard to the mandate of the OSCE in the context of the war in Ukraine, its role in the resolution of the crisis has been called into question, given the clear unravelling of the Minsk agreements. How can the current impasse be overcome? What reliable tools can be activated at this moment in order to enable diplomacy to prevail in addressing the situation in Ukraine?”
2022-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8992 (2022) · source
“However, the OSCE’s potential for conflict prevention is in doubt, as we witness with concern the rise of nationalism in Europe, secessionist tensions in south-eastern Europe, multiple crises in Central Asia and the numerous security threats arising from an increase in terrorism. The many hot spots resulting from the break-up of former blocks threaten disruption in numerous regions of the world, in particular continental Europe. That is an issue of significant concern, which not only the OSCE but also the entire international community must decisively address.”
2022-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8992 (2022) · source
“Cooperation naturally implies acting together, consulting with each other continuously in times of peace and times of war alike, resolving differences, reducing tensions and seeking to settle disputes by peaceful means. Throughout its almost 50 years of existence, the OSCE has had to face numerous crises, which while they did not shake its foundations, have led it to question its guiding principles. One of the pressing questions is how to translate the principles agreed upon in Helsinki into the current security context. In addressing that fundamental question, the OSCE must fulfil its role as a bridge among its member States, based on strong trust among its members, so that they can interact in good faith with a view to enjoying mutual benefits.”
2022-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8992 (2022) · source
“Mr. Biang (Gabon) (spoke in French): I thank Mr. Zbigniew Rau, Chairperson-in-Office for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), for the information he shared with us this morning. I also thank Under-Secretary-General Ms. DiCarlo for her briefing. We have noted the Chairperson-in-Office’s reading of the situation and the forecast of the organization regarding the issues and challenges that it must face in order to fulfil its role. With its 57 member States and partners from Europe, Asia, America and Africa, the OSCE, in the spirit of the Helsinki Final Act, has cooperation in its DNA as the ideal means of achieving peace and security and offering its members a space for a safe existence that is free of armed conflict.”
2022-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8992 (2022) · source
“That is a requirement and, indeed, a matter of urgency if we want to restore peace and security in Ukraine. We must offer a genuine alternative to the deafening language of weapons and threats of the use of unconventional weapons. The Security Council cannot and must not be the place for exchanging invectives and reaffirming rivalries. It is now more crucial than ever that the Council reconcile itself with its vocation as a solution-maker for the settlement of conflicts and crises.”
2022-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8991 (2022) · source
“As a State party to the Biological Weapons Conventions, my country reaffirms its opposition to the use of any form of biological weapons whatsoever. We call on the belligerents to refrain from using such weapons and to respect international humanitarian law. Gabon reiterates its commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes between States Members of the United Nations. We continue to call on the parties to de-escalate and to engage in the ongoing negotiations in order to put an end to the suffering of the civilian population, which has paid a heavy price since the hostilities in Ukraine began. It is essential that the Council rise above the logic of confrontation and condemnation to seek a credible solution in order to avoid a conflagration with unpredictable consequences. Diplomacy must regain the upper hand.”
2022-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8991 (2022) · source