YouSaid · the spoken record

Giorgio

lines on the record

29

first

2016-11-10

most recent

2019-02-27

sittings or episodes

5

sources

un-security-council

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1. “Determined to get it right this time around and make up for the lost decades and missed opportunities for peace and economic progress, there is a sense of great responsibility to ensure that what has been achieved so far is inclusive and sustainable. In conclusion, while we hail the rapid progress of the past few months, we are mindful of the challenges in the region as also envisioned in Agenda 2063 in terms of sustainable development. We will be counting on the Council's solidarity to sustain the peace while yearning for the same for the rest of the African region.”

   2019-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8473 (2019) · source

2. “In the tripartite agreement signed among Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia, the countries agreed to cooperate in advancing the goals of their people, while promoting regional peace and security and building close political, economic, social, cultural and security ties. Moreover, at a separate meeting between the Presidents of Djibouti and Eritrea, they pledged to open a new chapter of cooperation in their relations. Those developments are the result of a courageous choice made to close the era of conflict and zero-sum games. The new peaceful dynamics in the Horn of Africa will give a huge boost for the ambitious objectives of the Silencing the Guns by 2020 initiative. The citizens of the Horn of Africa have embarked upon an arduous journey of transforming the region for present and future generations.”

   2019-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8473 (2019) · source

3. “Yet, in recent months, the historic peace deal between Eritrea and Ethiopia has resulted in rapid positive changes marking the dawn of a bright era of peace, partnership and development for the entire region. The new-found peace has so far resulted in the opening of the border, allowed the movement of the two peoples across the common border, united families, sparked the resumption of trade, opened up communication links and avenues for cultural exchange, and more. An important takeaway from the new developments in the Horn of Africa is the importance of leadership, political will and ownership of conflicting parties to resolve their conflicts and move forward. The recent peace has also opened doors for the consolidation of peace in the rest of the region.”

   2019-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8473 (2019) · source

4. “The region has to strengthen its own mechanisms for prevention, the peaceful resolution of conflicts and peacebuilding in order to avert violent conflicts and prevent post-conflict States from sliding back into conflict. Moreover, while the role of the Security Council in the maintenance of peace and security remains critical, it needs to revisit its approaches and interventions in Africa. There is a need for a paradigm shift. Trying to use the same approaches time and again will not help achieve better results. The Horn of Africa is an example of a region that experienced decades of human suffering as a result of conflicts, with peace eluding many of its citizens for several decades.”

   2019-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8473 (2019) · source

5. “Nothing is more descriptive of the continent's situation than the fact that over 75 per cent of the Council's agenda is focused on Africa. Without discounting the complex challenges for the causes and dynamics of inter-State and intra-State conflicts, Eritrea is a firm believer in Africa's potential to silence the guns and afford its citizens the life that they deserve. It requires political will to reclaim the priorities and the narrative of the continent. There is a critical need for African nations to have a political space to chart their own development and political paths. What Africa needs is fewer external interventions and more partnerships.”

   2019-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8473 (2019) · source

6. “The wave of decolonization in the twentieth century brought hope for collective work in the continent to ensure peace, justice and development and safeguard the independence and interests of African nations. In the intervening years, conflicts, political instability and undue external influence and interventions undermined national, subregional and continental efforts to translate that huge endowment into durable peace and sustained and inclusive development. In Africa, from the East to the West and in the North, extremism and terrorism are spreading - taking advantage of State fragility and insecurity. The result is deteriorating conditions for millions of Africans, including intergenerational poverty and inequality, migration, environmental degradation and recurrent droughts.”

   2019-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8473 (2019) · source

7. “Let me take this opportunity to thank Equatorial Guinea for organizing this open debate on the theme of silencing the guns in Africa, an important and timely topic for our continent. I also wish to thank His Excellency Mr. Simeon Oyono Esono Angue, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Equatorial Guinea, for presiding over this Security Council meeting. Let me also thank Ms. DiCarlo, Mr. Lamamra and Mr. Gounden for their important briefings. My delegation associates itself with the statement made by the representative of Benin on behalf of the Group of African States. Africa is endowed with huge human and natural potential that can transform the lives of its people.”

   2019-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8473 (2019) · source

8. “I would also like to thank Kazakhstan, as Chair, and the United Kingdom, as penholder, for the constructive engagement they have had with my delegation. The meeting rose at 11.10 am.”

   2018-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8398 (2018) · source

9. “The country is determined to redouble its efforts and work closely with its neighbours to build a region at peace with itself that fulfils the desires and aspirations of every woman, man and child for a dignified life. Eritrea welcomes the good wishes and the encouragement of the international community and applauds its willingness to show support for this new era. However, more than good intentions, the region needs an understanding approach on the part of the international community and the freedom to chart its own policies and future based on the shared history, culture and interests of the people of the region. In conclusion, I thank all those who have advocated and supported the lifting of the sanctions against the people of Eritrea.”

   2018-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8398 (2018) · source

10. “Eritrea as a nation is committed to working with all its neighbours, including Djibouti, to consolidate the gains made since the historic rapprochement between Eritrea and Ethiopia, the Agreement on Peace, Friendship and Comprehensive Cooperation between Ethiopia and Eritrea, and the tripartite agreement of cooperation between Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia, which mark the beginning of a new dawn. Eritrea would like to take this opportunity to thank Ethiopia and Somalia, which have called for the immediate lifting of the sanctions, for their courageous position. While proud of the region's capability to resolve intransigent conflicts at an unprecedented speed, we are not complacent. Eritrea recognizes that a more difficult and complex task lies ahead.”

    2018-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8398 (2018) · source

11. “On this historic day, I humbly congratulate the people of Eritrea, who have endured persistent external pressure designed to taint their heroic history and thwart their vision for durable peace and economic progress in the Horn of Africa. Eritreans will not look backwards and are not resentful. While mindful of the historical lessons of the past two decades, they are determined to create a peaceful and prosperous nation that is worthy of the sacrifice made for over seven decades to build a harmonious, peaceful and confident country. Eritreans are extremely pleased to have witnessed the recent positive regional developments.”

    2018-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8398 (2018) · source

12. “I wish to congratulate China on its assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of November. For the past nine years in its appeals before the Council, the delegation of Eritrea has sought an end to the unwarranted punitive measures imposed on the people of Eritrea. The long-overdue call for justice has finally been answered through the Council's unanimous decision to adopt resolution 2444 (2018). The lifting of the sanctions will mark an end to a difficult period for Eritrea and the region. The actions and inactions of the Council have had harmful consequences for the people of Eritrea and the Horn of Africa, resulting in two decades ofmissed opportunities for peace and socioeconomic progress.”

    2018-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8398 (2018) · source

13. “Eritrea's primary preoccupation is in fact the public stance of certain countries that have openly stated that they would not support the lifting of the sanctions even if the Group were to visit Eritrea. Eritrea wishes once again to reaffirm its commitment to sustainable peace and cooperation in the region. Eritrea will continue to make its positive contribution to regional peace, stability and security in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea area. In that connection, Eritrea reiterates call on the Security Council to contribute to regional peace, cooperation and amity by lifting the unjustified sanctions and by ensuring Ethiopia's withdrawal from sovereign Eritrean territory. The meeting rose at 12.30 pm.”

    2017-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7925 (2017) · source

14. “Fourthly, failing to find substantive evidence to continue the sanctions, some countries have resorted to procedural pretexts by singularly and inordinately focusing on the inability of the Monitoring Group to visit Eritrea. It must be recalled here that the Monitoring Group has actually visited Eritrea twice on previous occasions. The Monitoring Group also maintains, without any hindrance, extensive meetings and contacts with relevant Eritrean officials. As Council members are aware, the Monitoring Group has itself ascertained the absence of any indication of Eritrea's support to Al-Shabaab. In the circumstances, Eritrea does not see any added value in a visit by the Monitoring Group to the country.”

    2017-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7925 (2017) · source

15. “Thirdly, with respect to Djibouti, Eritrea remains committed to the mediation of the State of Qatar, which has resulted in the release of all Djiboutian prisoners of war. The latest monitoring report made it clear that all interlocutors only mention seven prisoners of war in Eritrea. These are all accounted for - two escapees, one who passed away and four who were released through the efforts of Qatar. Eritrea has confirmed that there are no more Djiboutian prisoners in its hands. Moreover, Eritrea cannot be asked to second-guess the whereabouts of persons missing in action, as claimed by Djibouti. The burden of proof lies squarely on the accuser, the Government of Djibouti. On its part, Eritrea is committed to resolving any outstanding issue with Djibouti under the mediation of Qatar.”

    2017-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7925 (2017) · source

16. “Clearly, the time has come - in fact, it is long overdue - to lift the sanctions on Eritrea. In this regard, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight few a facts: First, the sanctions on Eritrea have never been justified or motivated by a genuine desire to promote regional peace and security. While their imposition was unjustified, their continuation can be viewed only as a desire to spread crises in a region that is already suffering from conflicts. We need fewer conflicts, not more. Secondly, the two justifications for the imposition of sanctions were Eritrea's alleged support to Al-Shabaab in Somalia and its alleged refusal to resolve its dispute with Djibouti. For four years, the Somalia- Eritrea Monitoring Group has found no evidence of any Eritrean wrongdoing in Somalia.”

    2017-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7925 (2017) · source

17. “The Security Council is actively seized at the present time of all regional issues - including the Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and so on - where intra-State or inter-State conflicts have or continue to rage. But it continues to studiously avoid the Eritrea/Ethiopia conflict. The Security Council cannot continue its 15 years of inaction in the face of destabilizing acts of occupation and aggression that threaten regional peace and stability. This is not only morally and legally unacceptable, but it is increasingly evident that the simmering tension is untenable and fraught with perilous escalation. The sanctions regime that has been imposed on Eritrea has entered its eigthth year. Its negative impact on Eritrea and the Horn of Africa region cannot in any way be minimized.”

    2017-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7925 (2017) · source

18. “To the regret of many who worked hard to realize peace, Ethiopia to this date continues to occupy sovereign Eritrean territory, including the town of Badme, in violation of its treaty obligation and international law. The hope of achieving peace and security for the people of the region has been dashed, and the opportunity to build a common front for common challenges has been postponed indefinitely. It would indeed be remiss of its duty in the maintenance of international peace and security for the Security Council to ignore the failure and refusal by one of the parties to implement a mutual agreement that it had solemnly signed, particularly when we recall that the agreement was guaranteed and witnessed by the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union, the United States and Algeria.”

    2017-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7925 (2017) · source

19. “I would like to begin by congratulating you, Madam, on the United States assumption of the presidency of the Council for the month of April. I would like to thank the Chair of the Committee pursuant to resolutions 751 (1992) and 1907 (2009) concerning Somalia and Eritrea, His Excellency Ambassador Kairat Umarov, for his briefing and for his efforts to enhance constructive and genuine dialogue. I would like to assure the Chair of my delegation's full cooperation in the discharge of his responsibilities. As a matter of coincidence, this open briefing of the Security Council is taking place on the very date the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission gave its final and binding ruling 15 years ago, on 13 April 2002.”

    2017-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7925 (2017) · source

20. “Eritrea is also taking concrete steps to contribute to the fight against human trafficking by establishing a legal and institutional framework, including by dismantling criminal networks. Moreover, it is also actively involved in the Khartoum process and other projects to address the scourge, including in cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Recognizing that trafficking in persons is a transnational criminal enterprise with annual revenues amounting to about $150 billion, it is imperative to flesh out the underlying causes and intertwined dimensions of the problem in order to find effective and durable solutions to the crime.”

    2016-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7847 (2016) · source

21. “In this regard, as the United Nations is about to embark on the review of the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons, Eritrea believes that, with the much-improved understanding and experiences gained over the past 10 years, the Global Plan of Action will play a stronger and more critical role in harnessing collective action to advance the fight against human trafficking. Mindful of the gravity and urgency of the problem, Eritrea has acceded to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the Convention.”

    2016-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7847 (2016) · source

22. “This particular paragraph points to the direction of what Eritrea has been asking of the United Nations for the past few years, since 2013. It is critical, however, that the investigations carried out be independent and transparent. Given the complex and multidimensional nature of the crimes of human trafficking, strengthened coordination among the Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons, Member States and other stakeholders would contribute to the much- desired outcome. It must be underscored that human trafficking has recently become more acute along migration routes, where vulnerable communities and individuals continue to be subjected to sexual violence, degrading treatment, organ harvesting, murder and kidnapping for ransom. This highlights the fact that the problem of trafficking has further evolved.”

    2016-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7847 (2016) · source

23. “Trafficking in persons is a transnational crime that affects almost every nation, given its negative implications for peace and security and its contribution to grave violations of the basic rights and dignity of the victims. Therefore, Eritrea views today's open debate as giving important impetus to the global fight against the scourge of human trafficking. It is clear that this is limited in its scope. Nevertheless, we would like to see it as part of national, regional and global efforts to address trafficking in persons. Resolution 2331 (2016), adopted today, decides "to take decisive and immediate action to prevent, criminalize, investigate, prosecute and ensure accountability of those who engage in trafficking in persons" (resolution 233] (2016), para. 2 (b)).”

    2016-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7847 (2016) · source

24. “Allow me at the outset to convey my deepest sympathies to the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation on the assassination of Ambassador Andrey Karlov in Ankara, and to the Permanent Mission of Germany on the tragic attack on innocent civilians in Berlin. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families. My delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Permanent Representative of Bahrain, who spoke on behalf of the Group of Friends United against Human Trafficking. My delegation wishes to thank Spain for organizing this open debate of the Security Council on trafficking in persons in conflict situations, in connection with the agenda item "Maintenance of international peace and security".”

    2016-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7847 (2016) · source

25. “In conclusion, Eritrea wishes to sincerely thank those delegations that advocated for the immediate lifting of the sanctions and those who have dissociated themselves from today's unfair and unwarranted resolution 2017 (2016).”

    2016-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7807 (2016) · source

26. “It has encouraged zero-sum approaches and imparted a sense of impunity to some countries and emboldened them to violate international law as well as to externalize their problems instead of cooperating with their neighbours to address the serious challenges of regional peace and security. Unfortunately, once again, the Security Council has missed an opportunity to contribute positively to regional peace, stability and amity, by maintaining the sanctions on Eritrea. For its part, Eritrea will continue making its positive contribution to regional peace, stability and security in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea regions.”

    2016-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7807 (2016) · source

27. “Eritrea is keenly aware that, failing to find any substantive argument to continue the sanctions, some members of the Council have resorted to procedural matters, such as, in particular, the inability of the Monitoring Group to visit Eritrea. Truth be told, that is not the real reason for their determination to keep the sanctions in place. In fact, some of them have made it clear that even if the Group were to visit Eritrea, they would still not support the lifting of the sanctions. The sanctions, which have been in place for the past seven years, have been detrimental not only to Eritrea but also to the Horn of Africa region.”

    2016-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7807 (2016) · source

28. “With regard to Djibouti, Eritrea remains committed to the mediation by the State of Qatar, which resulted in the release of all Djiboutian prisoners of war last March. The report (see S/2016/920) of the Monitoring Group makes it clear that all its interlocutors mention only seven prisoners of war in Eritrea, who are all accounted for. For its part, Eritrea has confirmed that there are no more Djiboutian prisoners on its hands. In the light of the reports of the Monitoring Group and serious developments in the region, it is incumbent upon the Security Council to lift the unfair, unjust and counterproductive sanctions on Eritrea without further delay.”

    2016-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7807 (2016) · source

29. “I would like to thank you, Sir, for giving my delegation this opportunity to address the Security Council. Allow me to also congratulate Senegal on assuming the presidency of the Council for the month of November. Eritrea believes that, once again, the Security Council has committed a grave injustice against the people of Eritrea by extending the unjustified sanctions. There is no reason to maintain sanctions against Eritrea, as the justification for them being imposed has long been proved non-existent, a fact that has been asserted by the Somalia/Eritrea Monitoring Group. In four of its reports, including during its present mandate, the Monitoring Group affirmed that there is no evidence of Eritrean support to Al-Shabaab in Somalia.”

    2016-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7807 (2016) · source