YouSaid · the spoken record

Gómez Robledo Verduzco

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268
first
2021-09-15
most recent
2023-04-24
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50
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un-security-council

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  1. “Mr. Gómez Robledo Verduzco (Mexico) (spoke in Spanish): My delegations thanks today’s briefers: the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, the Executive Secretary of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, and the civil society representative, Mr. Mahtani. At the outset, I highlight the very important diplomatic work that continues to be carried out at the regional level. One example of that are the commitments undertaken at the tenth Summit of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region, which took place in Kinshasa in February. We encourage the intensification of these exchanges with the aim of promoting good- neighbourliness and cooperation.”

    2022-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9023 (2022) · source

  2. “Those acts of violence represent a threat to the United Nations operations on the ground. We urge the authorities to guarantee the safety and freedom of movement of UNISFA personnel. Similarly, and in accordance with their obligations under the status-of-forces agreement, urgent investigations must be carried out to bring those responsible to justice. Finally, we acknowledge the reconfiguration of UNISFA, with the incorporation of new troop contributors. I wish to conclude by reiterating our continued support for the African Union and its mediation efforts and encourage it to continue its work.”

    2022-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9020 (2022) · source

  3. “Unfortunately, we note that clashes continue between the communities in Abyei, in particular in the Agok area. We recognize the efforts undertaken by the authorities in South Sudan to try to reduce those intercommunal tensions. While we recognize the efforts undertaken to organize a joint peace conference of traditional leaders, we regret that the differences over the composition of the two delegations have prevented the conference from being organized in accordance with the scheduled timeline, that is, in February. We urge UNISFA to continue promoting the necessary peace talks with the full participation of young people and women, as was already mentioned. The safety of UNISFA staff is crucial. That is why my delegation has condemned the armed attacks that took place in March against UNISFA personnel.”

    2022-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9020 (2022) · source

  4. “But it is only through cooperation and joint efforts in forums, such as the Joint Political and Security Mechanism and the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee, that progress can be made towards stabilizing the region. We, like other members, regret that the Committee has not met for a number of years. The human rights situation in Abyei remains a source of concern. Naturally, we welcome the issuance of visas to two human rights officers to allow them to conduct a long overdue evaluation in Abyei. Along those lines, we call on the authorities of the Sudan and South Sudan to allow the deployment of human rights experts as part of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), in accordance with the mandate granted by the Security Council.”

    2022-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9020 (2022) · source

  5. “Mr. Gómez Robledo Verduzco (Mexico) (spoke in Spanish): My delegation thanks Under-Secretary- General Jean-Pierre Lacroix and Special Envoy Hanna Tetteh for their briefings this morning. We would also like to welcome the representatives of South Sudan and the Sudan to today’s meeting. The coup d’état in the Sudan in October last year and the multiple challenges facing South Sudan have unfortunately reduced the attention of the parties to the situation in Abyei. However, the recent improvement in relations between the two countries, which we welcome, is an opportunity to relaunch the process to reach a lasting agreement with regard to the border dispute in Abyei, which should not exclude a priori any mechanism for the peaceful settlement of disputes, including the International Court of Justice if that were the will of the parties.”

    2022-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9020 (2022) · source

  6. “Mexico therefore believes that the resolutions we are considering today have been a step in the right direction, as was General Assembly resolution 74/274, which Mexico promoted in the General Assembly in April 2020. However, we must make the provisions a reality so that people affected by conflicts benefit from what is and should be a truly global public good. That is what vaccines should be, especially in a pandemic. Mexico has contributed to the global effort through the COVAX platform and has donated 1.1 million vaccines to six countries in Latin America and the Caribbean: Paraguay, Belize, Bolivia, Jamaica, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. In an effort of solidarity and cooperation, which is even more necessary today if we have retained any universal conscience.”

    2022-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9014 (2022) · source

  7. “Secondly, there must be universal recognition of all those vaccines that have already been approved by the World Health Organization, as we have continued to say in the Group of 20, among other forums. Politically motivated stigmatization of vaccines is simply abhorrent. The commitment and unity of Council members on those issues are critical to strengthening genuinely effective action by the United Nations and to mitigating the devastation brought on by the pandemic in conflict situations. With better coordinated work, the country teams on the ground and the COVAX humanitarian buffer, health workers in countries that are lagging behind can be trained and the population’s trust in the effectiveness of the vaccines can be enhanced. All the identified challenges in the distribution and administration of the vaccines can be overcome.”

    2022-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9014 (2022) · source

  8. “Although there are sufficient supplies to vaccinate the entire adult population of our planet, Haiti has received only enough doses to cover 3 per cent of its population and even less than that percentage has been distributed; the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Yemen have received only 4 per cent; and Mali and South Sudan only 8 per cent. Those figures are a testament to the unacceptable inequality that prevails. To achieve a more equitable distribution of vaccines, Mexico considers two criteria to be essential. First, intellectual property rights should be temporarily suspended in situations such as that of this pandemic, as provided for in the regulations of the World Trade Organization.”

    2022-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9014 (2022) · source

  9. “The emergence of new variants and the onset of other armed conflicts have also stood in the way of the global efforts to address this health crises in a united and systemic manner. Regrettably, the call for a general and immediate cessation of hostilities in the context of the pandemic has clearly been ignored. The armed conflict in Ukraine is not the only instance where peace has broken down. Hostilities continue in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Syria, Mali and Ethiopia, to name but a few examples. Fortunately, progress in science has made it possible to develop effective vaccines against the virus in record time, and it must be recognized there has been some progress in their availability. However, the situation in many of the countries whose situations we periodically review in the Council is discouraging.”

    2022-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9014 (2022) · source

  10. “Mr. Gómez Robledo Verduzco (Mexico) (spoke in Spanish): Mexico thanks Mr. Ted Chaiban, Ms. Esperanza Martinez and Mr. Emmanuel Ojwang for their briefings. We also welcome to the Security Council Minister Al Amiri of the United Arab Emirates. Mexico believes that the Security Council’s monitoring of the implementation of resolutions 2532 (2020) and 2565 (2021, on the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on the maintenance of international peace and security, and the initiative of the United Kingdom to that end, are particularly commendable and timely. The devastating and multidimensional consequences of the pandemic and the unacceptable inequality that has prevailed in access to vaccines, exacerbated in countries in conflict and post-conflict and that are facing humanitarian crises, must be clearly denounced.”

    2022-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9014 (2022) · source

  11. “Thirdly, Mexico believes that, in order to neutralize the violence in Mali, the fragile and very worrisome economic development situation must be addressed; the historical exclusion of certain groups from the national political scene must end; and impunity must be combated through a credible, effective and independent justice system. Regarding that last point, Mexico would like to reiterate its appeal to the Malian authorities to take into account the recommendations made in the report of the International Commission of Inquiry issued in 2020 (see S/2020/1332, annex). The work of the Commission must be harnessed to deliver justice to the victims and to break the cycle of violence that feeds on the grievances accumulated over years of conflict.”

    2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source

  12. “Mexico regrets that the attention of all political actors in the transition process, in the absence of a decision regarding the elections, has unavoidably led to serious delays in the implementation of the Algiers Peace Agreement, whose follow-up bodies have not met for months, as we heard this morning. We must remember that there remain many tasks pending in order to meet the commitments agreed by the signatories of that agreement, from the decentralization of public administration to the necessary disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process.”

    2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source

  13. “A rigorous, independent and impartial investigation is essential in order to strengthen the population’s trust in its armed forces and to enable the latter to fulfil their mandate, while fully respecting the rule of law. Secondly, we urge the authorities to continue working with the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union to reach an agreement as soon as possible on an electoral timetable that puts an end to the protracted transition and allows the State to address the many pending reforms with the indispensable backing of the legitimacy granted by the popular vote.”

    2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source

  14. “It therefore remains imperative to put an end to their scourge in order to ultimately achieve sustainable peace in Mali. At the same time, the legitimacy of the fight against extremism does not in any way exempt the State from its responsibilities and obligations in terms of human rights and respect for international humanitarian law. Mexico therefore expresses its grave concern about reports of civilian casualties in the operation recently carried out in Moura, and we call on the transitional authorities to cooperate closely with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali to shed light on what happened.”

    2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source

  15. “Mr. Gómez Robledo Verduzco (Mexico) (spoke in Spanish): My delegation thanks Special Envoy Wane and Ms. Samaké for their briefings. We welcome the representative of Mali here among us today. We once again note the extreme complexity of the situation in Mali, its widespread impact on the entire Sahel region and the need to seriously reflect on the relevance of our approach to date to contribute to the stabilization of the country. I will focus my statement on three aspects that Mexico believes crucial at this juncture. First, we recognize the renewed efforts that the Malian security forces have made in recent months to combat terrorist groups. We are aware that the main cause of the violence affecting the civilian population and hindering the establishment of State authority throughout the country is precisely the activity of such groups.”

    2022-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9012 (2022) · source

  16. “MONUSCO’s work and the presence of the United Nations country team cannot be considered separately, as we always say, from the underlying causes of the conflict such as population displacement, violence and, as highlighted this morning, the illegal exploitation of natural resources. For Mexico, a comprehensive approach, taking into account all development parameters, is indispensable for building sustainable peace.”

    2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source

  17. “However, we call for the moratorium on the death penalty that has been in force in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 2003 to be maintained and for perpetrators to receive a custodial sentence rather than capital punishment. Regarding MONUSCO’s exit strategy and transition plan, Mexico will remain attentive to progress made on the benchmarks, as well as everything related to the Mission’s withdrawal programme in Tanganyika, which will take place in June. It is important that the transition process aligns with the reality on the ground and is able to evolve in accordance with developments there.”

    2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source

  18. “Of course, we acknowledge the progress in implementing the Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Reintegration and Stabilization Programme and the measures taken in the area of transitional justice. We encourage the stakeholders concerned to continue to make progress in those areas. We believe that their efforts have a multiplier effect and provide opportunities for former combatants, which will help promote national reconciliation. With regard to accountability, we take note of the verdict rendered by a military court that has found 50 people guilty of the death of United Nations experts Zaida Catalán and Michael Sharp and their four Congolese companions.”

    2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source

  19. “Mexico believes that the investigation undertaken by the Congolese authorities in response to the attack on the Plaine Savo camp is, of course, a step in the right direction. However, violence also has a serious impact on humanitarian access, and that is why various humanitarian organizations have had to suspend their work in regions such as Beni. We therefore underscore the need to ensure full respect for the work of humanitarian staff, as well as the importance of measures to strengthen security along distribution routes where humanitarian aid and personnel circulate. In the light of this disturbing situation, it is essential to restrict the flow of weapons. Without that key element, armed groups would be unable to carry out violent campaigns with the relative ease with which they appear to do so.”

    2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source

  20. “With regard to the security situation and the protection of civilians, we must express our deep concern and condemn the violence perpetrated by armed groups, such as the Coopérative pour le développement du Congo, against civilians, including girls and boys and, in particular, the deliberate attacks carried out on camps for internally displaced persons. The information the Special Representative just shared with us is very serious and could jeopardize progress on the political front. Also very serious is the apparent downing or disappearance of a helicopter of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which clearly shows the extreme volatility and fragility of the security situation.”

    2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source

  21. “Mr. Gómez Robledo Verduzco (Mexico) (spoke in Spanish): As other speakers who have taken the floor before me, I would like to thank Special Representative Bintou Keita her very comprehensive briefing today. Of course, I pay tribute to her work. Over the past three months, we witnessed major changes on the political front, in particular the drafting of the road map for the holding of elections. We trust that the necessary legislative, logistical and budgetary changes will continue to be consolidated to ensure that elections in 2023 are held within the time frame established by the Constitution.”

    2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source

  22. “These attacks led to the suspension of operations for weeks, leaving 730,000 people without food assistance. We call on the authorities to ensure the safety and security of both humanitarian personnel and supplies being distributed. I conclude with my country’s call for the Sudanese authorities to redouble their efforts aimed at ensuring the full implementation of the National Plan for the Protection of Civilians and to move forward with the implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement. These steps are undoubtedly essential for the stabilization of the country.”

    2022-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9006 (2022) · source

  23. “We must also once again urge the Sudanese authorities to cooperate fully with the International Criminal Court. Unbiased information is essential. The Working Group on Children in Armed Conflict has been clear that the lack of access and the deteriorating security situation prevents accurate information on the impact of armed conflict on children. The number of food- insecure people has increased by almost half a million in recent months, bringing the total number of food- insecure people to nearly 10 million. The drought has significantly affected the agricultural and livestock sectors. At this time of shortage and vulnerability, the assaults on facilities of the World Food Programme in El Fasher and the looting of supplies are deplorable.”

    2022-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9006 (2022) · source

  24. “We are concerned that the situation of insecurity in the country threatens to jeopardize or slow down the political process. Violence in Darfur and other parts of the country remains unacceptable. We condemn the intercommunal violence, the sexual assaults perpetrated against women, and the serious violations of children’s rights, including the disappearance of minors. It is deplorable that the broad powers granted to the security forces supposedly to deal with the demonstrations in recent months have often resulted in abuse of force and human rights violations. In this context, it is critical that direct interaction be maintained with the expert appointed by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to assess the situation in the Sudan.”

    2022-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9006 (2022) · source

  25. “We recognize the inclusive nature of the consultations process in which the voices of civil society, political parties, activists, academics and journalists — to name but a few — were heard. It is particularly important to note that one-third of the participants in the consultations were women and representatives of women’s rights organizations. We hope that the conclusions gathered in the synthesis document will be taken into consideration in the next stage. The content of that document reflects the priorities of the Sudanese people in order achieve the objectives of the revolution. We will be closely following developments in the next phase of the process, as well as the involvement of the United Nations, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development.”

    2022-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9006 (2022) · source

  26. “Now that the first stage of the consultations advocated by the Special Representative has been completed, it is essential that the parties assume their responsibilities to move forward in the same constructive spirit in which they participated in those initial talks. It will now be up to the Sudanese themselves to define the path of the political process that will enable them to develop a road map. While divergences remain, there are also areas of consensus, and it is those that need to be focused on. It will be essential to prioritize those aspects that can foster confidence-building. Only on the basis of trust will it be possible to work towards resolving the more controversial outstanding issues.”

    2022-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9006 (2022) · source

  27. “Mr. Gómez Robledo Verduzco (Mexico) (spoke in Spanish): My delegation joins others in expressing its thanks to Special Representative Perthes for his report (S/2022/172). At the previous meeting of the Council on the subject (see S/PV.8948), the Special Representative initiated a consultation process at an extremely delicate political juncture with a view to breaking the political impasse. We have followed the results of that process very closely and I would like to acknowledge his excellent work at the helm of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan.”

    2022-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9006 (2022) · source

  28. “Mexico believes that republican dialogue is an opportunity for actors to commit to necessary reforms to improve State governance, particularly as it relates to decentralization. Republican dialogue must proceed in that direction. Finally, I want to recognize the work of the Special Representative Ndiaye as Head of MINUSCA over the past few years and wish him every success in his future endeavours.”

    2022-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8971 (2022) · source

  29. “The Government is obligated to investigate and punish those who violate the legal frameworks. There can be no true peace without justice for the victims. In that context, transitional justice systems must be set up with the support of the partners of the Central African Republic. Thirdly, we reiterate the deeply held conviction that the only viable solution to the conflict is a political one. We therefore welcome the agreements reached between the Government and the opposition in order to promote dialogue. We also welcome the mobilization of partners, such as the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region and the African Union, to facilitate that dialogue. We call on the Government authorities to ensure an inclusive process throughout the national territory, with the active and equal participation of women.”

    2022-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8971 (2022) · source

  30. “Despite the unilateral ceasefire declared in October by President Touadera, we see an alarming increase in the use of anti-personnel mines by armed groups. We also see the persistence of illicit arms trafficking despite the current arms embargo. Mexico is of the view that the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), in close coordination with the national authorities, must focus on helping the Central African Republic overcome its challenges. Let us therefore adapt its mandate accordingly. We also request that the Government authorities fully collaborate with us in that regard. Secondly, we are convinced that we must prioritize the strengthening of the justice system. In that regard, we see encouraging signs, such as the establishment of the Special Criminal Court.”

    2022-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8971 (2022) · source

  31. “Mr. Gómez Robledo Verduzco (Mexico) (spoke in Spanish): I would like to thank this meeting’s participants for their briefings and statements, and I welcome Foreign Minister Baipo Temon to the Security Council. Today I will focus on three issues that Mexico considers central to supporting efforts to stabilize the Central African Republic. First, we must take into account developments in the security situation. The Secretary-General’s most recent reports indicate significant changes in the presence of the international community in the Central African Republic, specifically with regard to the arrival of new actors to the country. That complicates an already precarious situation. In addition, the so- called Coalition des patriotes pour le changement has become fragmented.”

    2022-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8971 (2022) · source

  32. “Undoubtedly, all acts of terrorism must be condemned and punished in accordance with the law. But we cannot cease to believe that all efforts to prevent and combat terrorism must unreservedly respect human rights. Otherwise, we will forever be cutting off the heads of the hydra without the least result, while we will remain in the Security Council still recriminating one another.”

    2022-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8958 (2022) · source

  33. “The fact that approximately 700 minors are being held in the Al-Sina’a prison, which houses more than 5,000 inmates associated with ISIL, in conditions of overcrowding, insecurity and lack of medical care, is simply barbaric. But justice will come. And, in this regard, we reiterate the call of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism to urgently repatriate those children who are victims of terrorism to their countries of origin. Otherwise, in addition to denying them their most essential human rights and causing even greater physical and psycho- emotional trauma, we will be sowing in these children the seeds of hatred and hopelessness that trigger the spiral of violence towards terrorism.”

    2022-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8958 (2022) · source

  34. “Mr. Gómez Robledo Verduzco (Mexico) (spoke in Spanish): I naturally thank the Under-Secretary- General for his briefing. As we mentioned yesterday (see S/PV.8955), the attack by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) on the Al-Hasakah prison last Thursday, 20 January, the largest operation by this terrorist group since it was declared defeated in Syria in 2019, shows that the ISIL is regaining strength in the area, but also in others such as the Sahel, thereby demonstrating that the solution cannot be exclusively military in nature. At the same time, we echo the concern of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed last Tuesday (see S/PV.8949) about the deplorable and scandalous conditions of detention centres in Syria.”

    2022-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8958 (2022) · source

  35. “But all of that will remain insufficient without a political will that leaves no room for impunity, as has already been said. Mexico will continue to lend its support to the accountability mechanisms of various organizations to that end.”

    2022-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8957 (2022) · source

  36. “As for the other end of the country, in the north- west, we appreciate the update provided on the progress of the six-month plan for cross-line humanitarian crossings, while recalling their central role as needs continue to rise. Winter has already had even greater deadly consequences for the displaced people in the north-west. The six-month plan will help alleviate the situation, but it is not a long-term plan in the absence of a much broader reconstruction plan. Much more is required than an early recovery project to rebuild people’s lives. I also thank our briefers for having provided us with very useful information concerning the deconfliction mechanism That is certainly encouraging in terms of preventing attacks and allowing the humanitarian community to carry out its activities in less adverse conditions.”

    2022-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8957 (2022) · source

  37. “Together with the 45,000 people who have been displaced as a result of the clashes, we cannot let ourselves forget even more staggering statistics — 14 million people depend on humanitarian aid. How much longer will this go on? And what is to become of the girls and boys living in the Al-Hol and Roj camps, to cite only one example, who have unfortunately paid the greatest price as they have known nothing but war since their birth and who will surely be the ones who will have to rebuild their country? What will conditions be like then? What will their psychological state be? In these meetings, we have spoken little about the mental and spiritual health of the victims, which we will need to revisit as soon as possible.”

    2022-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8957 (2022) · source

  38. “Mr. Gómez Robledo Verduzco (Mexico) (spoke in Spanish): My delegation too thanks Under-Secretary- General Griffiths and Mr. Egeland for their briefings, and we express our great appreciation for their tireless efforts, as well as for not losing hope. Mexico condemns the escalation of violence in Al-Hasakah and notes its concern about the humanitarian consequences of the new wave of violence in the north- east of the country, about which we also spoke yesterday (see S/PV.8955). We echo UNICEF’s call for ensuring the protection and evacuation of the children inside the prison, but I will leave my comments on that situation for our next meeting a little later.”

    2022-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8957 (2022) · source

  39. “We hope that the presidential statement on this issue will include that suggestion and will be reflected in what we expect UNOWAS to do in the coming months. As was said earlier, that means a more operational mandate that is less focused on solely holding conferences and organizing workshops.”

    2022-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8944 (2022) · source

  40. “Secondly, we insist on the need to move towards a strategy that curbs illegal arms trafficking, specifically with regard to small arms and light weapons. The weapons entering and circulating illegally in the region increase the lethality of conflicts, represent a constant threat to the human rights of the population and are, unfortunately, behind the vast majority of attacks against civilians. In accordance with resolution 2616 (2021), adopted in December, Mexico believes that UNOWAS can contribute to harmonizing current efforts in each country and to coordinating a regional vision to effectively combat illicit arms trafficking, inter alia by attacking its financing model and its sources of supply.”

    2022-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8944 (2022) · source

  41. “Mexico backs the decisions of the Economic Community of West African States and underscores the responsibility that, ultimately, falls to the Security Council if regional efforts come to naught. Through its good offices and preventive diplomacy, the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) plays a critical role in supporting the institution-building process in the region, which should go hand in hand with military cooperation initiatives. Indeed, without the necessary reforms in governance and economic development and without strengthening State and constitutional order, violence fuelled by extremist groups, organized crime, self- defence militias and intercommunal rivalries will continue to undermine security efforts. We therefore need more sweeping and far-reaching reforms.”

    2022-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8944 (2022) · source

  42. “Mr. Gómez Robledo Verduzco (Mexico) (spoke in Spanish): I thank the three briefers for their presentations. In the complex context that characterizes the region of West Africa and the Sahel, I will limit this intervention to two issues that I believe are central. First, Mexico welcomes the successful elections in Cabo Verde and the Gambia, as well as the progress of political dialogue initiatives in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and Sierra Leone, to mention just a few. We also welcome the preparation of elections in Senegal. Those developments demonstrate that political dialogue and democratic governance are key to resolving the complex problems affecting the region. However, we are deeply concerned about the recent threats to democracy and the rule of law in Guinea and Mali.”

    2022-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8944 (2022) · source

  43. “In a context marked by numerous actors, the work of UNOCA should focus on strengthening regional governance by supporting existing institutions, in particular ECCAS and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region.”

    2021-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8933 (2021) · source

  44. “UNOCA must play an active role in ensuring that a regional strategy is adopted to combine and harmonize existing efforts and make the international and regional commitments of the Central African States a reality. Secondly, electoral processes are a recurrent source of political instability and conflict. In coordination with regional organizations, the institutional and legal scaffolding of Central African States in electoral matters should be strengthened. In that regard, we welcome the sending of an electoral observation mission by the African Union and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) to São Tomé and Principe in July. We hope that this practice will be extended to other elections in 2022. Finally, Mexico believes that prevention should be at the heart of UNOCA’s priorities.”

    2021-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8933 (2021) · source

  45. “First, the proliferation and illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons remain a threat to civilians and the stability of the Governments. Despite the fact that most countries of the region are signatories or parties to the Arms Trade Treaty and the Central African Convention for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, Their Ammunition and All Parts and Components That Can Be Used for Their Manufacture, Repair and Assembly, and despite the existence of various initiatives to address the problem, weapons continue to cross borders freely and indiscriminately and further deteriorate the security and humanitarian situation.”

    2021-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8933 (2021) · source

  46. “In the case of the Central African Republic, we call on UNOCA to resolutely support the implementation of the road map for peace adopted at the summit of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, which, fortunately, led to the unilateral declaration of a ceasefire last October. However, it is worrisome to learn of the release of Hassan Bouba, accused of war crimes. States parties to the International Criminal Court must respect the principle of complementarity and must therefore investigate the alleged perpetration of such crimes, or hand over the accused to the International Criminal Court. We believe that UNOCA can, and should, redouble its efforts to promote a regional approach in responding to the various challenges facing the region. My delegation would like to respectfully make some recommendations to UNOCA.”

    2021-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8933 (2021) · source

  47. “We particularly condemn the attacks on schools and education personnel, as they deprive new generations of their right to education and perpetuate the cycle of violent conflict. We also view with alarm recent reports of alleged links between separatist groups in Cameroon and Nigeria. All that is detrimental to the territorial integrity of those States and the unity of the continent. We urge that dialogue be prioritized with the involvement of regional organizations and, of course, the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA). There is still time to prevent the effects of violence from spreading even further in an uncontrollable manner.”

    2021-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8933 (2021) · source

  48. “Mr. Gómez Robledo Verduzco (Mexico) (spoke in Spanish): Like other speakers before me, I wish to thank Special Representative François Louncény Fall for his briefing. My delegation acknowledges the positive steps taken in Chad to move towards a democratic transition. We welcome its commitment to adopting a new Constitution and to holding elections in 2022. The inclusion of women in the committee in charge of organizing the national dialogue is also good news. We hope that that is a first step towards an electoral process that is open to the participation of all sectors of Chadian society. However, my country reiterates its concern about the violence that continues to claim victims in the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon.”

    2021-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8933 (2021) · source

  49. “In conclusion, my country expresses its concern about the reports of extrajudicial executions in Lakes and Warrap states, as well as widespread acts of sexual violence and human rights violations. We demand that the authorities respect the human rights standards and norms set forth in the international instruments to which South Sudan is a party and strengthen the rule of law in general. The progress in setting up the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation, and Healing is certainly a positive sign, and we encourage further progress on this and the establishment of the Hybrid Court for South Sudan. In the end, the creation of spaces in which the plurality of South Sudanese people can express their rights freely and without fear of reprisal will be vital in the run-up to the electoral process.”

    2021-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8931 (2021) · source

  50. “The magnitude of these events makes recovery impossible before the next rainy season hits the country, which triggers a domino effect of growing numbers of internally displaced persons, worsening food insecurity and clearly increasing disease. That of course exacerbates intercommunity tensions and clashes over scarce resources. Precisely because of the seriousness of this situation, as Ms. Saeed has explained to us, the increase in the number of humanitarian-access-related incidents is alarming. We deeply regret the threats of destruction and looting of humanitarian supplies and resources in Pibor, Renk and Tonj. We urge the authorities to redouble their efforts aimed at ensuring the security of and unhindered access for humanitarian personnel.”

    2021-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8931 (2021) · source