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31
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2018-03-07
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2019-09-10
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7
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un-security-council

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  1. We encourage Guinea-Bissau's regional neighbours and the international community to help support the Government's efforts to prepare for and carry out those important elections. Along with the Secretary-General, we remain concerned about the continued threat that drug trafficking and organized crime pose to Guinea-Bissau and the broader subregion. We applaud the Bissau- Guinean police's seizure and destruction of two tons of cocaine in Guinea-Bissau in the past week, and we welcome the creation of a dedicated unit in the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau for combating drug trafficking and transnational organized crime. We urge continued support for strengthening the presence of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Guinea-Bissau.

    2019-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8614 (2019) · source

  2. We would like to thank Assistant Secretary-General Keita for her briefing today, and Ambassador Vieira for all his important work in chairing the Guinea-Bissau configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission. The United States is pleased that Guinea-Bissau's leadership, with the able assistance of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), was able to agree on a timeline for elections in 2019, and we welcome the legislative elections that took place in March. As the focus shifts to the presidential elections scheduled for 24 November, we must remain faithful to the consensus agreements that helped create the country's hard-won, although tenuous, stability. We look forward to free, fair and transparent elections on 24 November. We welcome the generous contributions that ECOWAS has made in both financial support and equipment.

    2019-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8614 (2019) · source

  3. Fall and UNOCA have an important role to play in engaging with all parties in Cameroon in order to encourage constructive engagement, accountability for the allegations of abuse, and a de-escalation of tensions. We look forward in the coming months to further discussions with the Council about the situation in Cameroon.

    2018-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8284 (2018) · source

  4. We have unfortunately seen far too many examples of tensions spiking in the Central African region during and after electoral processes, and it is clear that we will have to remain vigilant in that regard in the coming months in Cameroon. While we welcomed President Biya's public commitment to dialogue at the beginning of this year, and while we recognize the initial work of Cameroon's commission for bilingualism and multiculturalism, we are concerned about the fact that there has been little progress to date towards a peaceful resolution. Most of the constitutional reforms of 1996 calling for decentralization, which may have helped to defuse tensions, have so far not been implemented. It is essential that all parties take steps immediately to de-escalate the crisis and protect civilians from harm. In that regard, we believe that Mr.

    2018-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8284 (2018) · source

  5. Cameroon continues to be an essential security partner in the fight against Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa, including as a member of the Multinational Joint Task Force. The ongoing crisis in the anglophone regions threatens to detract from our mutual security objectives in the region of the Lake Chad basin. If confidence-building steps leading to a meaningful, broad-based dialogue are not taken now, tensions could increase further, leading to the potential for violence related to the forthcoming elections this autumn, and to the possibility that the legitimacy of the election results could be called into question.

    2018-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8284 (2018) · source

  6. I would like to thank Special Representative Fall and Secretary-General Allam-Mi for their briefings today and for all their work in Central Africa, which is facing a challenging set of political, economic and social issues. We would like to take this opportunity to focus on the situation in Cameroon, which demands the attention of both the Security Council and the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA). We are concerned about the fact that the situation continues to deteriorate, with increasing levels of violence, including against civilians, witnessed in the past few weeks. Recent press reports indicate that as many as 40 people were killed in the north-west region of the country in the last week of May. The stakes in Cameroon are too high for this crisis to continue without being addressed.

    2018-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8284 (2018) · source

  7. Resolution 2396 (2017) should be our baseline going forward. We wish once again to thank Peru and Sweden for their efforts, and we look forward to the Secretary- General's report on youth in 2020. The meeting rose at 10.35 am.

    2018-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8277 (2018) · source

  8. The goal of the agenda on preventing violent extremism is to address the factors that lead some to turn toward violence, so that we stop the cycle of recruitment into terrorist organizations. The resolution was a missed opportunity to promote the fact that youth should be involved when Member States develop action plans to address the prevention of violent extremism. United Nations agencies such as the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism are deeply involved in these efforts, and there is no reason why the Council should not be able to further recognize and support these critical efforts. Finally, the Council should not be rolling back language on technology and the Internet. The resolution should have used the most recent language on the issue, as reflected in resolution 2396 (2017).

    2018-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8277 (2018) · source

  9. The United States wishes to commend Peru and Sweden for their efforts to make sure that the Security Council recognizes the role of youth in issues of peace and security. Resolution 2419 (2018), which we havejust adopted, has a number of important elements. In particular, the United States appreciates that the Council will now recognize the role of education and sports in promoting tolerance and respect for others. Promoting peace and avoiding conflict starts with developing these values in our youth, who will be the next generation's peacemakers. Today's resolution goes a long way towards recognizing the steps that we need to take. The United States regrets, however, that the resolution did not contain language on preventing violent extremism. This concept is not new, and it should not be controversial.

    2018-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8277 (2018) · source

  10. The United States supported and was present at the signing of the Arusha Agreement, which brought an end to years of tragic civil war in Burundi. We believe that parties must continue to respect it in the interests of Burundians and the wider region. The Government of Burundi must take clear steps to reopen the political space for members of the opposition, independent media and civil society and to engage in inclusive dialogue with Burundian political stakeholders. It is critical that the Government of Burundi participate in good faith in the next session of the inter-Burundian dialogue. We urge the region to intensify its engagement on Burundi in the post- referendum period to press for a durable political solution to Burundi's political crisis, a reopening of political space and an end to human rights abuses and violations.

    2018-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8268 (2018) · source

  11. Such amendments will have long-term impacts on Burundi's governance and institutions. We recall the ruling party's commitment under the Pretoria Protocol to respect the principles of the Arusha Agreement, including respect for term limits, and expect it to abide by them. The United States is closely tracking the trend of leaders extending their rule by eliminating or extending term limits. We note from experience that, when whole generations of people are denied democracy and fundamental freedoms, instability and insecurity are often the result. It appears that Burundi is following that undemocratic trend, which we fear will lay the foundation for continued instability and political tensions for years to come.

    2018-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8268 (2018) · source

  12. We condemn the Government's decision to suspend the broadcasts of Voice of America and the British Broadcasting Corporation during that particularly volatile time. That decision, along with other media restrictions, arbitrary arrests and harsh sentences for human rights defenders, undermines basic democratic norms and signals continuing troubling limitations on civic and political space in Burundi. We remain concerned that the Government will interpret the revised Constitution as resetting presidential term limits, and that other amendments seek to consolidate the President's power, place restrictions on independent candidates and coalitions of candidates and run counter to the power-sharing principles enshrined in the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement for Burundi.

    2018-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8268 (2018) · source

  13. Although the Government allowed vigorous campaigningbytheoppositionduringthe designatedtwo- week campaign period, numerous cases of harassment and repression against referendum opponents in the months preceding the voting contributed to a climate of fear and intimidation, resulting in an environment that did not allow for a credible referendum. The absence of independent observers also undermines confidence in the reported result. We also condemn reports of armed groups killing 26 innocent civilians in the days leading up to the referendum. The climate of violence, fear and repression underscores the need for serious dialogue to advance peace. Restrictions on media worsened in advance of the referendum, further undermining the credibility of the process.

    2018-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8268 (2018) · source

  14. I thank Special Envoy Kafando for his briefing. We would also like to thank Ambassador Lauber for his briefing and tireless efforts with the Peacebuilding Commission. Arbitrary arrests, a lack of transparency, the suspension of media outlets and attempts to put pressure on voters marred Burundi's 17 May referendum process, thereby undermining confidence in its reported outcome. The results leave us concerned that Burundi is moving closer to one-party rule. The referendum took place against the backdrop of stalled progress in the East African Community-led dialogue, continuing repression and an unstable political situation. The referendum further aggravates ongoing acute political tensions, which have destabilizing effects on Burundi and the wider region.

    2018-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8268 (2018) · source

  15. We have demonstrated here today that we have the will to address conflict-related hunger, and we look forward to working with members of the Council to sustain our focus and attention to this important issue.

    2018-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8267 (2018) · source

  16. Today the Security Council has unanimously demanded that parties to armed conflict comply with their obligations under international law and has called on all parties to protect infrastructure critical to providing food to civilians. Today we set forth a clear expectation that parties to conflict should not take steps to perpetuate hunger and the suffering of people. Perhaps most importantly, the text makes it clear that the Council must be prepared to respond in order to prevent famine caused by conflict. In line with the resolution, we encourage the Secretary-General to be proactive in warning the Council about such conditions so that it can respond. In that regard, we look forward to more regular and continuous reporting on famine conditions within the context of country-specific situations.

    2018-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8267 (2018) · source

  17. We are pleased to join you, Madam President, in welcoming the adoption of resolution 2417 (2018), the first to recognize the clear links between armed conflict and famine and the important role that the Council can play in addressing this challenge. The text of the resolution is one that we have been glad to sponsor. We would like to thank the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Kuwait, Sweden and Cote d'Ivoire, the members of the core group, for their work in bringing it to fruition. As we have said before, the connection between conflict and hunger is undeniable. We are pleased that today's resolution definitively resolves any remaining doubt about that link.

    2018-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8267 (2018) · source

  18. We urge the regional stakeholders to intensify their efforts to foster dialogue and to bring an end to the long-standing political impasse in Burundi. The role of Special Envoy Djinnit will be critical in working to strengthen and to support the regional mechanisms advancing peace and security in the Great Lakes region as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi go through this very important period. We urge him to continue to engage with key stakeholders in the region and to inform us of any additional steps necessary to advance his mission.

    2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8227 (2018) · source

  19. In that regard, we are particularly concerned about the planned constitutional referendum in Burundi on 17 May. We have already seen numerous reports of violence and the intimidation and harassment of those perceived to be opponents of the referendum. We are concerned that the referendum will exacerbate the political tensions in Burundi and that the development of the proposed constitutional revisions has not been conducted in a transparent and inclusive manner. Failure to respect the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement risks further destabilizing Burundi with unpredictable repercussions for both the country and the region. As is the case in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the region has an important role to play in promoting stability in Burundi.

    2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8227 (2018) · source

  20. The Democratic Republic of the Congo must hold inclusive and credible elections in December that lead to a peaceful democratic transfer of power. No more delays will be tolerated. We were particularly heartened in Addis Ababa to see consensus on the importance of the election in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to regional stability. The continued strong leadership of the African Union, the Southern African Development Community and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region will be critical ahead of the elections in order to ensure that the preparations continue to move forward and that potential spoilers are held accountable. While we remain focused on the Democratic Republic of the Congo during this critical period, we must not lose sight of other challenges to peace and security in the Great Lakes region.

    2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8227 (2018) · source

  21. The political impasse resulting from the delayed elections has heightened tensions and undermined the already weak to non-existent State authority and risks increased violence and unrest, as it provides space for armed groups and other malign actors to continue to operate. We would urge the Special Envoy to focus on ensuring that the elections go ahead and that the 31 December agreement is fully implemented. We agree that we must continue to urge action against the armed groups operating in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We cannot pretend that there is any solution to those problems without the full implementation of the 31 December agreement, the electoral provisions in the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the electoral calendar.

    2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8227 (2018) · source

  22. The signatories to the Framework agreement understood that there were inherent linkages between peace, development and security in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the prospects for long-term stability across the broader region. That theme is also reflected in the recent report of the Secretary-General on the Great Lakes region (see S/2018/209). He stressed that the uncertainty surrounding the political situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is compounded by the persistent activities of armed groups in the territory. However, we would take that point a step further.

    2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8227 (2018) · source

  23. I would like to thank Ambassador Bale and Special Envoy Djinnit for their briefings and their work to advance the commitments under the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region. A little more than a month ago, the United States was pleased to join with fellow donors, the signatories and the guarantors of the Framework agreement in Addis Ababa for the fifth anniversary of that agreement. That forum proved a useful opportunity to take stock of the accomplishments that have occurred under the Framework agreement, to review those elements of the agreement that remained unfulfilled and to discuss ways in which the Framework agreement mechanism could be more effective and work within the existing regional organizations.

    2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8227 (2018) · source

  24. It is for that reason that we support a trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to ensure continued Security Council focus on elections. When Ambassador Haley met with President Kabila last year, they talked about the historic opportunity he has to be the first leader of his country to voluntarily yield power to a democratically elected successor. That would be a remarkable and enduring legacy, and there is no more important work the Council can do but to share in that legacy. We invested a great deal in the future of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Now is the time to ensure that the investment pays off, not just for the Council but for the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

    2018-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8198 (2018) · source

  25. The Mission must step up to the task of ensuring that the Democratic Republic of the Congo is ready for elections. We must hold the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo accountable for adhering to clearly defined benchmarks as we progress towards elections. We must ensure that Congolese in all areas of the country are able to vote. We must ensure that the ability of citizens and candidates to participate safely and securely in the electoral process is respected. We must ensure the integrity of their vote by using proven and appropriate voting mechanisms. Finally, and perhaps most important, we must know when those things are not being done. MONUSCO must report to the Council in a timely and transparent manner when progress towards elections is not being made and when peacekeepers fail to do their jobs.

    2018-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8198 (2018) · source

  26. As we consider the renewal of MONUSCO's mandate, we must ensure that it is doing all it can to ensure that elections are held on 23 December, as the Government has promised. Our highest priority for the Mission will always be to protect Congolese civilians from violence. Troop and staff performance is bedrock. Accountability is essential. Sexual exploitation and abuse cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. However, our focus on the performance of MONUSCO cannot be allowed to crowd out our focus on its purpose. We are not the devoting this much time and resources to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in order to reinforce a stagnant status quo. Our objective must always be to move forward to help the people achieve the future they deserve. We call on the Council to rise to that challenge as we renew MONUSCO's mandate.

    2018-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8198 (2018) · source

  27. In addition, political prisoners who were guaranteed release under the December 2016 Political Agreement remain unjust unjustly detained. The Government continues to pursue questionable charges against political opponents, and peaceful protesters have been met with violence as the Government cuts off communication and denies their right of peaceful assembly. However, they are also signs of hope amid the Violence and uncertainty. So far, the Government is satisfying the technical requirements for holding elections in December and, most importantly, the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are energized and ready to vote. Building on this energy and delivering on the promise of democracy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is now the central task of the Security Council.

    2018-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8198 (2018) · source

  28. Like elections elsewhere, the promised elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will represent much more than the fulfilment of the minimum right of participation in a democracy. They will be sign of progress across the board for the Congolese people. They will be a critical concession on the part of the Government that it does not exist to extract wealth and power for an unaccountable elite. The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, like all Governments, exists to respond to the needs of its citizens, but before that can happen there is much more progress to make. President Kabila has already stayed in office long past his constitutional term limit. His commitment to elections in December that results in his transfer power to a successor remains unacceptably vague.

    2018-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8198 (2018) · source

  29. Although the progress has been uneven, the greatest achievement of MONUSCO's precursor mission is clear. The July 2006 voting that resulted in Joseph Kabila's election as President marked the first free elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in over 40 years. It is one of the most complex elections the United Nations has ever helped organize - a true achievement. Today, the challenge is related, but different. The need to protect the security and rights of the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, however, is the same. Free, fair, inclusive and credible elections leading to a peaceful transfer of power are the next indispensable step in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's development.

    2018-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8198 (2018) · source

  30. For the first time in history, the people of Democratic Republic of the Congo are on the verge of a peaceful democratic transition of power. They have waited too long for this moment, but their enthusiasm is clear. Despite Violence, threats and broken promises, the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo have eagerly lined up to register to vote. They not only have a great desire to determine their future, but they also have an undeniable right to do so. For nearly 20 years, the international community has invested in MONUSCO to protect the Congolese people from violence and to bring them closer to an enduring, inclusive peace. That Mission is the most expensive in United Nations and history and the most complex. It is fair to ask ourselves what we have gotten in return for this investment.

    2018-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8198 (2018) · source

  31. I thank Special Representative Zerrougui. We are very pleased to welcome her to the Council and to have her head the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). We also welcome the participation of the Vice-Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mr. She Okitundu, in today's meeting. Before I start, I want to take a moment to remember Michael Sharp and Zaida Catalan who were kidnapped on 12 March 2017, nearly one year ago. We remember Michael and Zaida and their dedication to improving the lives of the Congolese. We continue to work to ensure those responsible for their murders will be brought to justice. The Democratic Republic of Congo is a country at a critical juncture today.

    2018-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8198 (2018) · source