YouSaid · the spoken record

Djangone-Bi

lines on the record: 155
first: 2002-01-29
most recent: 2005-10-13
sittings or episodes: 16
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

“These questions are mentioned as causes of conflict now being resolved, while the current law on rural land tenure, for example, was adopted by the National Assembly only after delegations of its members consulted each department of the country in order to gather the opinions of the population they represent. This realism on the part of the parliamentarians is an irrefutable sign of the people's demand for direct consultation on all questions touching upon those issues. Only a referendum will contribute to the strengthening of democracy, which the Security Council ardently promotes. With the finalization of the deployment of the troops of Operation Unicorn in northern Cote d'Ivoire, France and the rest of the international community have completed the preparatory measures to undertake genuine national reconciliation in Cote d'Ivoire.”
2004-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4903Resumption1 (2004) · source
“That eloquent silence is justified only by the need to apply the rules set out in the Constitution, which was adopted by a majority of more than 86 per cent in a referendum that was recognized by the international community. Thus, as everyone agrees, the amendment of article 35 of the Constitution, on the eligibility of the President of the Republic, must first be adopted by a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly and then submitted to a referendum. The law on rural land tenure and nationality are very important, as noted by the Secretary-General in his most recent report on cote d'Ivoire (S/2004/3).”
2004-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4903Resumption1 (2004) · source
“That affirmation does not at all seem to follow from an understanding of article 43 of our Constitution, a constitution that is recognized by the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement and by the Security Council, and which stipulates that "the President of the Republic, after consultations with the Bureau of the National Assembly, can submit to a referendum any text or question which he considers to require direct consideration by the people. When the referendum concludes the adoption of the text, the President of the Republic shall promulgate it within the time-span foreseen in the preceding article." The Linas-Marcoussis Agreement makes no mention of either a referendum or any particular method of adopting texts relative to agreed reforms.”
2004-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4903Resumption1 (2004) · source
“To conclude, I would like to make a brief comment on the decision of the President of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire to submit to a referendum two essential changes included in the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement, because wrongly interpreting that peace agreement could negatively impact on the reconciliation process under way. The report of the recent mission to assess the situation in Cote d'Ivoire states that "it should be noted that only the amendment of article 35 [of the Constitution] is constitutionally mandated to be submitted to a referendum" (S/2004/3, para. 28).”
2004-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4903Resumption1 (2004) · source
“Post-conflict national reconciliation is the great challenge for the women and men of a country emerging from conflict and remains an undertaking in which the international community is both foreman and labourer. Once a peace agreement has been reached, such as the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement for the conflict in cote d'Ivoire, it must be implemented by the parties with complete sincerity, humility and a relentless demonstration of their resolute will for reconciliation and cooperation. Of course, the continuity between conciliation and reconciliation and the length and comprehensiveness of the process require a similar effort by the United Nations.”
2004-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4903Resumption1 (2004) · source
“The United Nations, with patience and know-how, must lead the preparations of the peace agreement without making the parties concerned feel as though they were being led by the nose or being placed under supervision. At the same time, the Organization is called upon to administer refugees and the displaced and extend humanitarian assistance. Reconciliation, begun by the negotiations, is pursued while adapting to the circumstances. It becomes a long and laborious process of peace-building and national reconciliation which will see the prompt implementation of decisions made at the end of the conflict in order to prevent a renewal of hostilities, consolidate peace and undertake economic recovery and lasting development.”
2004-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4903Resumption1 (2004) · source
“The sources of conflict in Africa reflect that diversity and complexity. Hostilities come to an end when mediating initiatives enable the parties to a conflict to agree on provisional arrangements generally for sharing political power, dividing up economic resources and dealing with certain sociocultural concerns. We not that such mediating initiatives meet with lasting success only when the mediators demonstrate complete neutrality throughout the negotiations on the peace agreement and discredit any attacks on the established constitutional order. The role of the United Nations is important in this critical phase in which the urgency of a ceasefire and reaching a peace agreement leave the mediator open to the always feared risk of being accused of partiality.”
2004-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4903Resumption1 (2004) · source
“Finally, Madam, in response to the concern you expressed at the start of the meeting, I shall limit myself to presenting a extract from my statement, which will be distributed in its entirety in the Chamber. The Secretary-General noted in his report on the causes of conflicts and the promotion of lasting peace and development in Africa (S/1998/318) that the current conflicts, in particular in Africa, are generally internal. There are no less often a function of the dynamic of a subregion and of the role that certain African Governments play in supporting, sometimes even instigating, conflicts in neighbouring countries. In many cases, they even have important international dimensions because external efforts to bolster or undermine African Governments did not disappear at the end of the cold war.”
2004-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4903Resumption1 (2004) · source
“Mr. Djangone-Bi (Cote d'Ivoire) (spoke in French): My delegation thanks you, Madam President, for organizing this interactive debate on the item entitled "Post-conflict national reconciliation: role of the United Nations". With your permission, I shall take this opportunity to convey the sincere congratulations of Cote d'Ivoire to the new members of the Security Council: Algeria, Benin, Brazil, the Philippines and Romania. I also thank Mr. Kalomoh, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Ms. McAskie, Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, and Mr. Malloch Brown, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, for their introductory statements, which shed a very instructive light on the question on the agenda.”
2004-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4903Resumption1 (2004) · source
“That will remain the case as long as great strides towards peace continue. The international community may rest assured of that, and it should take this dimension of the issue into account. The people of C6te d'lvoire fully understands the need for genuine reconciliation among its sons and daughters - who in the final analysis are the major losers in this war.”
2004-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4899 (2004) · source
“Secondly, I would note that, once they have been disarmed, helicopters and so-called combat aircraft can also be used in civilian police missions for surveillance of the territory. But systematically grounding them would be detrimental to the work of the civilian and national police, which would have considerable effects on the overall security of Cote d'lvoire. Thirdly, it is important to observe that, because of the difficult situation they are in, the institutions of the Republic have not been the ones to initiate anything: they are merely victims and are engaged in the self- defence that is authorized by the Charter of the United Nations. Helicopters and combat aircraft have been used militarily only in response to individual attacks; they will therefore stay the ground as long as these acts of aggression are halted.”
2004-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4899 (2004) · source
“Indeed, since the beginning of this crisis imposed on the Ivorian people to this day, the issue of helicopters and combat aircrafts acquired by the national armed forces seem to give rise to concern in certain parts of the international community, which seems to have become obsessed with this, thinking that these conventional combat weapons are the source of all evils being experienced in Cote d'lvoire today. Without going into detail, I should like to state the following. First, it is important to bear in mind that, as a sovereign State, Cote d'Ivoire has the right to acquire any arms of its choice, on any market, in conformity with its interests, for national defence, with strict respect for all international instruments pertaining to general disarmament. It is important that the sovereignty of Cote d'lvoire be respected.”
2004-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4899 (2004) · source
“This is why my delegation welcomes the subregional approach for the problems considered in the third part of the Secretary-General's report, in particular the search for a regional solution to the problem of youth unemployment and the possibility of defining an overall framework for DDR at the regional level, to refer to only two examples. At any rate, I would like to reaffirm here the determination of the Ivorian parties to achieve peace. The Ivorian Government thus hopes to be able to count on the Security Council, so as to make the peace process irreversible, by transforming the United Nations Mission in C6te d'Ivoire (MINUCI) into a genuine peacekeeping operation. My delegation would like to take this opportunity to impart to you our concerns, by clarifying our point of view on a particularly sensitive issue.”
2004-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4899 (2004) · source
“The disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) process has practically begun, in particular with the withdrawal of heavy and light weapons from the front line and their collection under the control of impartial forces in agreed upon areas. In summary, everything would seem to point to the fact that the year 2004 will be a year of peace, even if peace has to be consolidated on a daily basis, until the general elections of 2005. Here, once again, I should like to express the gratitude of the Government and of the people of cote d'Ivoire to the international community for their tireless efforts to bring a return to peace in West Africa, and especially in C6te d'Ivoire, for it must be emphasized that peace can be considered in the long term only with a subregional perspective.”
2004-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4899 (2004) · source
“Above and beyond a few informational errors, which in the final analysis are minor ones, the report of the Secretary-General can be considered, by and large, to be in accordance with the real situation on the ground, even though we should emphasize that considerable progress has been accomplished since the report appeared. It should be pointed out that, in an address to the nation, the President of the Republic reiterated his commitment fully to implement the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement and that the Ministers of the Force Nouvelle have regained their seats in the Government of National Reconciliation.”
2004-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4899 (2004) · source
“Mr. Djangone-Bi (cote d'Ivoire) (spoke in French): Mr. President, my delegation is grateful to you for organizing this interactive exchange on the report of the Secretary-General on progress achieved in West Africa in the implementation of the recommendations of the Security Council's mission to that area, of 5 December 2003, in document S/2003/1l47. I would like to thank Mr. Kalomoh for the excellent presentation of the report of the Secretary-General. With your permission, Sir, I would like to confine my statement primarily to the situation in Cote d'Ivoire. My delegation fully agrees with the statement made by the Ambassador of Ghana, who is Chairman of the Group of Permanent Representatives of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).”
2004-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4899 (2004) · source
“Secondly, in the western part of the country, as well as at Bouake, Liberian mercenaries, recruited and paid by the aggressors against Cote d'Ivoire, are fighting alongside and are on the payroll of the latter. Thirdly, Liberian thieves are acting independently, profiting from this situation in the western part of Cote d'Ivoire. Fourthly, Liberian mercenaries arrested by the French forces in the region of Duekoue Bangolo have no connection with the regular forces of cote d'Ivoire. That is the truth that the international community should know.”
2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720Resumption1 (2003) · source
“The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Liberia certainly does not know that, before the aggression that we are talking about, Cote d'Ivoire did not hesitate to send regular teams of military doctors and medicines to Liberia. The list is long. Therefore, allow my delegation to conclude with the following. Contrary to partisan reports that have been made to the Council by actors who are destabilizing Cote d'Ivoire, first, Liberian mercenaries that are spreading desolation in the western part of Cote d'Ivoire have no connection with the regular army; they should in no way be considered as extra recruits of the national armed forces of Cote d'Ivoire.”
2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720Resumption1 (2003) · source
“Contrary to what is done elsewhere, instead of putting people into camps in cote d'Ivoire, Liberian refugees are received by families and integrated into the population. At the meeting in Serta, Libya, my country was congratulated by the African Union for that hospitality, which was described as being second to none. The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Liberia certainly forgot to point out to the Security Council that, for more than a decade, the combatants of the various factions fleeing the fighting were coming into Ivorian territory with their supplies of arms and have largely contributed to the insecurity that is undermining my country today, and which is characterized by ambushes, hold-ups and other acts.”
2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720Resumption1 (2003) · source
“First, they are, for the most part, totally under the control of a drug empire. Secondly, they are merciless. Thirdly, they systematically pillage plantations, houses, and so forth. Fourthly, they kill indiscriminately; one could even say that they kill for the fun of it, which explains why there are so many mass grave sites in rebel areas. Fifthly, they have no regard for women and girls, whom they rape on a daily basis. The Liberian Ministry of Foreign Affairs certainly forgot that since that fraternal country has been unstable - which has been for at least a decade - Cote d'Ivoire has taken in refugees; at times half a million people have been accepted. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees can testify to that. There is one specific thing that should be pointed out.”
2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720Resumption1 (2003) · source
“The majority of those mercenaries can be easily confused with the border populations of Cote d'Ivoire, given that they speak the same languages and are part of the same ethnic groups as those populations. To then say that Liberia mercenaries are Ivorians is a large step to take - a step that the critics of Cote d'Ivoire, including the Minister, blithely took. My delegation vigorously protests such fabrications that attempt to present the victim of aggression, Cote d'Ivoire, as being the culprit in this matter. A number of Liberian mercenaries have come from the ranks of armed groups that are trying to overthrow President Taylor's regime. Those Liberian mercenaries, who have fanned out across West Africa and are currently aggressing against Cote d'Ivoire, can be defined in terms of the following paradigm.”
2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720Resumption1 (2003) · source
“However, the truth is that Liberian mercenaries are part of the aggressors against Cote d'Ivoire and have been since the night of 18 to 19 September 2002. All the diplomatic Missions were able to see on Ivorian television Liberian mercenaries, among others, that the national armed forces had taken prisoners after heavy fighting. Some of those mercenaries even admitted that they belonged to the Liberian army. President Charles Taylor assured President Gbagbo that those mercenaries had no connection with the Liberian army. The Ivorian authorities noted that. At any rate, if they are not soldiers of the Liberian army, then they are Liberian mercenaries. There can be no doubt, because the English accent of Liberia is quite different from that of the other anglophone countries in West Africa.”
2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720Resumption1 (2003) · source
“It is highly regrettable that Liberia has turned this workshop that has been so carefully organized into a trial against cote d'Ivoire. In a spirit of peace, and despite the averred collusion of fraternal countries with the aggressors against cote d'Ivoire, my country has not deemed it necessary to pour oil on the fire by publicly denouncing anybody. We are trying to prepare the post-crisis period, given that teeth and tongues are condemned to live together, in spite of the accidents along the way. Given the falsehoods related by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Liberia aimed at distracting the international community, my delegation would like to issue the following clarification. We do not know the sources of the representative of Liberia.”
2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720Resumption1 (2003) · source
“I would like to begin my statement by saying that my delegation approves of most of the recommendations that have been made, particularly those by the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Senegal and Benin. Since almost everything has already been said, I will confine my statement to a few words about the existence of so-called Liberian fighters supposedly in the Cote d'Ivoire army. In fact, this morning, in his statement to the Security Council, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Liberia stated, without providing a shred of evidence and in spite of the denial of the Government of Cote d'Ivoire that was published by a number of press agencies, that particularly in the western part of Cote d'Ivoire, Liberian mercenaries were fighting alongside the national army of Cote d'Ivoire.”
2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720Resumption1 (2003) · source
“Mr. Djangone-Bi (cote d'Ivoire) (spoke in French): First let me say that my delegation is very happy to see you, Sir, presiding over the work of the Security Council in March 2003, which has witnessed the establishment of the Government of National Reconciliation under the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement. Things have never been so difficult for the international community, as current challenges, to which pressures are added, are numerous and seem insurmountable. However, assured by your excellent qualities of diplomatic experience, we do not doubt for one moment that the proceedings of this distinguished institution will be completed successfully. We would also like to congratulate the representative of Germany who, last month, conducted the work of the Council with the great competence we know he possesses.”
2003-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4720Resumption1 (2003) · source
“Thus, after having witnessed with concern the annulment of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty of 1972, the C6te d'Ivoire welcomes the recent agreement on the limitation of strategic nuclear weapons between the United States of America and the Russian Federation. We encourage the two parties to pursue a dialogue in order to favour a future world free of the danger of nuclear weapons. These are, in a few words, the reflections that the delegation of Cote d'Ivoire wished to share on the subject of the prevention and resolution of conflicts in Africa.”
2002-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4538Resumption1 (2002) · source
“It is well known that the accumulation, proliferation and illicit trafficking of small arms are major destabilizing factors that, inter alia, exacerbate conflicts and legitimize the rule of the strongest and best armed. My delegation believes that, along with the First Committee of the General Assembly and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the ad hoc Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa should devote particular attention to the problem of the proliferation and illicit trafficking of weapons in Africa. An arms moratorium should be respected not only on the ground but also at the source. Finally, it has been generally said that, to a significant extent, African conflicts are the result ofthe nature of the relations between the world's great Powers.”
2002-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4538Resumption1 (2002) · source
“My delegation has no significant comments to make on the basis of its analysis of the Working Group's programme of work. Indeed, as we have said, conflicts are rooted in poverty, illiteracy, intolerance and fear of the other. Furthermore, one of the main sources of misunderstanding in Africa is very often the endless contestation of elections, rightly or wrongly, by suspicious protagonists. In such circumstances, my delegation would like to see special attention given to electoral processes in Africa. In order to ensure the stability of the continent, the Security Council should help to systematize, universalize and strengthen genuinely independent electoral commissions in Africa.”
2002-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4538Resumption1 (2002) · source
“It would be desirable for any new approach to involve the donors in the entire process of economic development, including the creation of a socio-political environment conducive to the measured repayment of loans, follow- up to the use of funds and, ultimately, the settlement of the debt. To us, far from representing any kind of interference in the domestic affairs of States, an approach involving donors, even in electoral processes, could be an impetus to good governance. In any case, such an approach involves support for peoples' choices and not imposition. Moreover, the Working Group envisages working in synergy with regional and subregional organizations and involving itself in the implementation of the New Partnership for Africa's Development.”
2002-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4538Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Fall effectively reflect the letter and spirit of the meeting between the African Group and the Security Council on 29 January. My delegation particularly welcomes the third, sixth, seventh and tenth points of the informal report, in which the Working Group emphasizes the need for a pragmatic approach to guide its actions and envisages the possibility of involving the Bretton Woods institutions in its activities. In this regard, my delegation believes that, unless we are careful, instead of contributing to an effective struggle against poverty, the activities of the donors - including the European Union and the G-8 - could actually exacerbate poverty. Indeed, the money loaned would be used only by a small group of elites, whereas the debt burden would be borne by taxpayers.”
2002-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4538Resumption1 (2002) · source
“My delegation is grateful to him for that and takes this opportunity warmly to congratulate Mr. Fall, whose hardest work, it must be said, has only just begun. In any case, he may be assured ofthe full cooperation of Cote d'Ivoire. On another matter, my delegation welcomes the very recent entry into force of the International Criminal Court, which we view as the main instrument not only for preventing, but also for resolving conflicts throughout the world and, most particularly, in Africa. The International Criminal Court completes the array of legal instruments aimed at establishing the rule of law worldwide. In that context, my delegation believes that the conclusions proposed by Ambassador Koonjul at the first meeting of the Working Group on 22 March with Mr.”
2002-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4538Resumption1 (2002) · source
“In order to treat a disease, one must first and above all begin to diagnose it. Some time ago, Secretary-General Kofi Annan essentially said that if the resolutions, recommendations and decisions of the United Nations could solve problems in and of themselves, Africa would have overcome its difficulties a long time ago. In brief, as the Latins said: "Facta non verba". On the basis of the Secretary-General's statement, on 29 January the Africans spoke with one voice to say that, with respect to Africa's development, including conflict prevention and resolution, it is high time for concrete deeds based on the need for results. Backing up his words with action, the Secretary- General recently opened a regional United Nations Office for West Africa and named Mr. Ibrahima Fall as his Special Representative.”
2002-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4538Resumption1 (2002) · source
“During the exchange of views that took place on 29 January between the Security Council and African representatives, the latter emphasized the need for prevention rather than for cure, because once a disease has taken hold, recovery may be difficult, lengthy and sometimes uncertain, leaving a trail of death and suffering in its wake. The Africans therefore recognize the importance of preventive diplomacy, although the need to resolve pressing issues requires the implementation of remedial diplomacy as well. During the debate of 29 January, the main causes of conflict in Africa were identified, inter alia, along the following lines: the absence of democracy, good governance and the rule of law indispensable to democracy; poverty, illiteracy and disease, especially HIV/AIDS; and the proliferation and illicit trafficking of small arms.”
2002-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4538Resumption1 (2002) · source
“We also wish to thank and congratulate Ambassador Koonjul, the Permanent Representative of Mauritius and Chairman of the ad hoc Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa, for the great work he has done to date. My delegation urges him to continue on his course with the courage, resolve and competence with which we are so familiar. Allow me to illustrate my points by using medical terms that, in my View, are well suited to the circumstances. The issue at hand is indeed one of disease and cure.”
2002-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4538Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Mr. Djangone-Bi (Cote d'Ivoire) (spoke in French): My delegation welcomes you, Sir, and is pleased to see you presiding over this important meeting of interactive dialogue, so opportunely convened by the Security Council, on the problem of preventing and resolving the conflicts undermining the African continent and jeopardizing the future well- being ofits peoples. We are indeed very happy and satisfied with this new method of work of the Security Council, which not only has given pride of place to Africa in its schedule, but has also decided to listen to the Africans at regular intervals. It is very true that a man cannot be made happy against his will.”
2002-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4538Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Let us reflect on the eloquent words spoken by the British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, in his recent speech at Brighton: "The state of Africa is a scar on the conscience of the world. But if the world as a community focused on it, we could heal it. And if we don't, it will become deeper and angrier." Let us make sure that we contribute now to a process that will enable Africa to heal its wounds and take total control of its future.”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source
“We must now assess their implementation, along with that of all the resolutions and recommendations adopted by the United Nations and other international institutions, to see what has been done, what has not been done and the reasons for the inaction with respect to a continent about whose many ills everyone is sorry, and whose peoples feel that when it comes to them the international community often does the minimum possible or is even completely indifferent. Now, it is time to work openly with Africans so that Africa can play a larger role on the international stage. Let us heed Africa's message to us, for that message gives good reasons to believe that a better future for the African continent is possible. Once Africans themselves are determined, Africa's partners should help make Africa's renaissance and recovery a reality.”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The United Nations should be Africa's primary partner in considering the implications of the implementation of the New Partnership for Africa's Development. That initiative was designed to be based on strong, tangible partnerships. Cote d'Ivoire remains convinced that these great enterprises 4 the establishment of the African Union and the implementation of the New Partnership for Africa's Development 4 will in future years be viewed as the "constitutive act" of the development of Africa. It is no longer time for statements of intent: everyone knows all the plans and programmes relating to the situation in Africa and the solutions that are needed. Most of them were formulated with the help of the United Nations and its agencies and institutions.”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Without going into the details, let us understand that it is aimed at restoring peace, security and stability to the continent, promoting good governance and effective leadership, finding ways to achieve healthy growth and sustainable development, reducing poverty and inequality, and rehabilitating and rebuilding the infrastructure that is indispensable for the well-being of the peoples of Africa. Those ambitions are in line with the African continent's legitimate hopes for the twenty-first century. The United Nations must heed African initiatives and be patient with a view to formulating and promoting suitable programmes and to engaging in a constructive search for the means to back up those initiatives.”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source
“They do not admit to the "Afro-pessimism" that they are accused of. Africans are more than ever determined to take the future of the continent and its inhabitants into their own hands. It was in the awareness of this reality that, by creating the African Union, Africa devised for itself a new political structure that takes account of the new challenges. The New Partnership for Africa's Development, which the international community has rightly welcomed, is an ambitious programme by Africans for Africans and their foreign partners.”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Last July the Secretary-General called upon the G-8, meeting at Genoa, to contribute to the world fight against AIDS by providing the main financing for the Global Fund established to that end. The Secretary- General noted that the Fund was far from reaching its goal of between $7 billion and $10 billion a year. And Mr. Annan expressed the hope that everyone - Governments, civil society, foundations and others- would join the fight against AIDS, which is a pandemic of appalling proportions, especially in Africa. Here, we should recall that already, at Abuja, Nigeria, Africa decided to devote approximately 10 per cent to 15 per cent of African Government budgets to combating AIDS. Here as elsewhere, Africans are striving to create conditions in which they can take charge of their own future.”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source
“In the social sphere, the Security Council is aware that 25 million of the world's 36 million HIV-positive individuals are Africans. The scourge of HIV/AIDS thwarts Africa's development plans because it particularly strikes young people and, according to the experts, affects educational systems throughout the continent. It is well known that in some African countries the epidemic has hit teachers at such a pace that it is no longer possible to replace them. Here too, the outcome of the work on HIV/AIDS by the General Assembly 4 which on the initiative of the Secretary-General has set up a Fund to wage an effective war against this scourge, especially in Africa- awaits implementation by the international community. Moreover, who here has not heard this cry of despair: "The disease is in the south, but the medicine is in the north"?”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The African continent, it must be recalled, comprises 20 per cent of the world population. However, it represents only 3.5 per cent of the world gross domestic product and 1.5 per cent of world exports. In order to achieve the objectives of the Millennium Declaration to reduce poverty by half between now and 2015, experts tell us that African countries must experience an annual economic growth rate of7to9per cent. We in Cote d'Ivoire are convinced, along with the Secretary-General, in order to help Africa defeat poverty, strike a skilful balance between financial assistance, debt alleviation and improvement of access to the markets of developed countries, as well as appropriate and ongoing support for efforts to diversify the African economy.”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Without peace and the cessation of pernicious conflicts, as far as political issues go, there can be no security or stability and, above all, no development. Neither can there be any question of victory over poverty nor the full integration of the African continent into international life. According to the estimates of the United Nations, 52 per cent of the people living on less than $1 per day are found in Africa. In the last decade, there has been a substantial decrease in resources provided to the United Nations for its activities in the region. Likewise, flows of official development assistance for Africa fell from $23.4 billion in 1994 to $15.3 billion in 1999. Foreign investment in Africa has stagnated at less than 5 per cent of all investments made in all developing countries.”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source
“It also involves establishing a culture at the level of the citizen and the entire civil society of a country. It is, however, clear that democratization cannot flourish in a climate characterized by poverty. As Maurice Duverger said, "Democracy is also a matter of purchasing power". In other words, to be real and lasting, this democratization needs development and, consequently, the readiness of the international community to sincerely assist this continent. We cannot persuade Africa to engage in democratization solely by brandishing conditionalities that are often poorly adapted to the daily realities of the African people. The evolution and the developments that I have referred to require that the international community as a whole make a very firm and long-term commitment.”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source
“The building and the maintenance of democracy are crucial not only for the maintenance of peace and stability within States, but also because this contributes to combating other evils. Today there are very few African States that are not moving towards pluralistic and democratic systems of government. The African context has changed a great deal in general terms. The evolution of political leadership is a source of optimism. Efforts for good governance are genuine, and, even if much remains to be done, certain progress has been achieved in the sphere of combating poor management of public administration. Democracy takes root slowly but surely. The era of single parties is over, and it is worth noting the establishment of a civil society aware of its responsibilities. Indeed, democracy is not the business only of Governments.”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source
“It demonstrates, moreover, that the continent is indeed an entity that is viewed by its own leaders as being unified and that the heads of State are ready to hold a constructive dialogue among themselves, regardless of the disputes that separate them, provided that all agree to work for the benefit of the African people. The international community must have trust in them and assist them sincerely, without ulterior motives. Efforts in the search for solutions to political problems, particularly concerning conflicts, are also evident in the economic and social spheres. It is no secret to anyone that Africa and its leaders are actively seeking to create mechanisms to manage domestic reforms and to strengthen good governance.”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Naturally, all these encouraging results have been achieved with the appreciable and appreciated help of the United Nations. Dialogue and cooperation, chosen as a means of resolving problems without inopportune foreign intervention, are beginning to bear fruit today. My country, Cote d'Ivoire, expresses the wish that other countries affected by conflicts should adopt this path, in keeping with the recommendations of the reports of Secretary-General of the United Nations on the causes of conflict in Africa. This approach, which was established by the Africans themselves to resolve their political problems, honours African tradition and must be welcomed and encouraged by the international community.”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source
“In response to any criticism one can point out that Africa has been working resolutely for several years to find solutions to its numerous political, economic and social problems. Tangible results have been achieved in the area of conflict resolution, thanks to the action of eminent African statesmen and leaders. In this context, we can recall Presidents Nelson Mandela and Quett Masire in the cases of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in the case of the Ethiopian-Eritrean conflict. In the West Africa subregion, the leaders of the Economic Community of West African States have spared no effort, despite great obstacles, to ensure that peace is gradually restored to the region, where areas of tension threatened the existence of countries like Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau.”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Questions such as those related to refugees and displaced persons, for which African has set the sad record, HIV/AIDS, cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity (OAU), to cite only a few, have been discussed and examined thoroughly in the Council. Resolutions or recommendations clearly indicating the ways and means to the solutions for African problems have been adopted. Despite all this, it seems that we are still at square one. One may wonder under these circumstances why it is that the Council is dealing with the situation in Africa in an almost cyclical way, as if it were only to clear its conscience. Yet one cannot accuse the Africans themselves of not having taken positive and far-reaching steps to meet the challenges they face.”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source