YouSaid · the spoken record

Lacroix

lines on the record: 1,191
first: 2006-08-31
most recent: 2023-11-14
sittings or episodes: 115
sources: un-security-council

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“We share a joint responsibility to end impunity, strengthen prevention and response, respond rapidly and decisively to credible reports and meet the needs of victims quickly and appropriately. Drawing on all those efforts, the Secretariat is fully committed to playing its part to enhance peacekeeping performance. In that spirit, the Secretary-General makes several concrete commitments, including on performance, in the Declaration of Shared Commitments on United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, proposed in the framework of the Action for Peacekeeping initiative. We will spare no effort to deliver on those commitments. We are very grateful for the willingness shown by a large and growing number of Member States and other stakeholders to also make such commitments through their support for the Declaration.”
2018-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8349 (2018) · source
“Troop- contributing countries have also been asked to complete their investigations within that time frame. In matters deemed particularly urgent, troop-contributing countries are requested to complete investigations within 90 days. Such measures have led to a decrease in the average reaction time by Member States. We must be unequivocally clear that it is Member States that possess the authority to hold all categories of personnel accountable for criminal conduct. In the case of police and military personnel, they can also enact administrative sanctions as appropriate. Such responses are essential, and we are grateful to the 98 Member States that have signed the voluntary compact with the Secretary-General on the commitment to end sexual exploitation and abuse.”
2018-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8349 (2018) · source
“One of the most critical partners for our work in preventing sexual exploitation and abuse, as well as for accountability and victim support, is the network of NGOs and civil society partners operating on the ground. Only by working together will the United Nations, Member States and civil society end that behaviour, which irreparably harms victims and tarnishes the reputation of thousands of United Nations personnel who serve with honour. When, despite all our efforts, personnel violate our standards of conduct, we must continue to work to achieve accountability in partnership with Member States, and we are strengthening our policies to do so. United Nations investigative entities are required to complete investigations into allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse within six months.”
2018-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8349 (2018) · source
“Following the adoption of resolution 2272 (2016), the Secretariat established a committee to consider possible credible evidence of widespread or systemic sexual exploitation and abuse, or instances where Member States may not have taken appropriate steps to investigate allegations, hold perpetrators accountable or inform the Secretary-General of the outcome of those processes. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to this complex issue, but the 2272 Committee has not shied away from engaging with Member States to take preventive and corrective action, including repatriations where required. We have removed or repatriated units where we deemed it appropriate. I am glad that we will shortly hear from Ms. Sarah Blakemore, Chief Executive Officer of the non-governmental organization (NGO) Keeping Children Safe.”
2018-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8349 (2018) · source
“We have implemented greater transparency in reporting, expanded the vetting of personnel, improved investigation timelines and seen increased responsiveness by Member States. The Secretariat now vets all categories of personnel against a prior history of misconduct while serving in the United Nations. Last year, the Secretary-General appointed a dedicated Victims' Rights Advocate, Ms. Jane Connors, to ensure that victims of sexual exploitation and abuse have access to the support they need, including urgent assistance, the ability to file complaints safely and reliably and access to timely information on the progress of their case. Multiple channels exist to anonymously report misconduct, including online and by phone.”
2018-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8349 (2018) · source
“The policies that we have promoted can be achieved only through the active involvement of Members States. I therefore welcome the efforts undertaken by a number of Member States and call on all States to further those initiatives and significantly increase their contributions of women peacekeepers. Ensuring that all United Nations personnel maintain the highest standards of conduct must be at the heart of our collective efforts. We fully share the Council's expectations in that regard and will continue to place prevention at the forefront of our efforts. We have done more in recent years to strengthen accountability, transparency, enforcement, awareness- raising, advocacy and the provision of victim-centred support.”
2018-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8349 (2018) · source
“Women make up only 21 per cent of our personnel. We must do better. I am pleased that, through our common work, we have seen some improvements. Gender strategies for the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Department of Field Support, as well as within each of our missions, and the uniformed gender parity strategy, are starting to yield results. At Headquarters, women officers now represent 18 per cent of all officers in the Office of Military Affairs, and we are committed to raising that proportion further. In the field, women police officers represent 21 per cent of our individual police officers and 7 per cent of our formed police units. We intend to continue our efforts to increase the number of female peacekeepers at Headquarters and in the field, in line with resolution 2242 (2015).”
2018-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8349 (2018) · source
“I would also like to take this opportunity to call on all Member States, particularly those with the most advanced military capabilities, to contribute more troops and police to United Nations peacekeeping. We still have an ongoing need for critical capabilities, including helicopters, capacities to counter improvised explosive devices, rapid-reaction forces, situational awareness and medical support. We welcome all contributions in these areas. The engagement of Member States is also key to increasing the number of women who are part of peacekeeping. More women in peacekeeping simply makes peacekeeping more effective. We need to significantly enhance the number of female peacekeepers at all levels and within uniformed as well as civilian components. We must also ensure that they are able to meaningfully participate in our work.”
2018-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8349 (2018) · source
“I encourage all Member States that have the capacity to provide such training and equipment to TCCs and PCCs to continue their efforts to respond to the current needs so that our peacekeepers can operate most efficiently in the challenging context in which we are deployed. In that regard, I want to mention the new action plan for training, for which we have requested voluntary contributions. We are grateful to those that have already provided support. I also encourage all Member States to assess the evolution of the performance of United Nations peacekeeping operations, including by visiting operations on the ground and sharing their conclusions with us.”
2018-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8349 (2018) · source
“As has been highlighted on many occasion in the Council and other forums, it is an effort that involves not only the Secretariat, but also fellow Member States. That is precisely the goal of the light coordination mechanism, which we established late last year. By identifying specific needs for targeted training support, we can facilitate training and capacity-building partnerships among Member States. We therefore welcome the development of triangular partnerships, whereby Member States provide troop- and police-contributing countries with training and equipment prior to deployment. Such cooperation is an illustration of how we can collectively respond to capacity challenges.”
2018-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8349 (2018) · source
“We have taken measures to change the way we work, notably by enhancing our procedures and our collective preparedness, as we did following the July 2016 incident in Juba, South Sudan. Where necessary, we have also instituted remedial measures, including in some cases by preventing the redeployment of troop or police units until we can confirm that they are able to meet relevant standards and requirements. Despite its full commitment to developing and implementing these initiatives and tools, United Nations peacekeeping cannot succeed without the engagement and the mobilization of all stakeholders and, first and foremost, the Member States. Strengthening peacekeeping often requires strengthening the capacities of those who provide its men and women - the TCCs and PCCs.”
2018-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8349 (2018) · source
“We also attach particular importance to leadership across all mission components, and we have enhanced and professionalized the assessment process for selection, as well as support to our heads and deputy heads of mission. Finally, but most importantly, we have developed mechanisms to enhance accountability for when we fall short. We have decided to systematically commission independent, ad hoc investigations to clarify the causes and circumstances of incidents that indicate serious shortfalls in mandate implementation. Through frank and precise analysis, these investigations have fostered constructive engagement with troop-contributing countries (TCCs) and police-contributing countries (PCCs), as well as amongst ourselves. This has enabled us to work together to find solutions for such shortfalls.”
2018-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8349 (2018) · source
“The new comprehensive performance assessment system will enable us to assess whole-of-mission performance, civilian and uniformed components, staffand leadership through data collection and analysis. By identifying bottlenecks or problems, we aim to promote better-informed decisions by senior leadership to refocus efforts and take corrective action. This system will also help Member States to craft more targeted mandates and direct resources towards areas where we can make the biggest difference. We are already starting with three pilot missions. We have already conducted a visit to MINUSCA last month, and will visit a further two missions by the end of this year. We are planning for all missions to be using the new system by July 2020. We will continue to engage Member States proactively on this topic.”
2018-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8349 (2018) · source
“We are also developing more specific performance assessment criteria for formed police units. Further, we are also investing significant resources and efforts in the development of the integrated performance policy framework requested by the Special Committee for Peacekeeping Operations and supported by the Council. Through it, we aim to strengthen and hold accountable all peacekeepers, civilian and uniformed, at all levels and in equal measure, both in the field and at Headquarters. Changing institutional structures and individual behaviour requires us all to rectify shortcomings, strengthen leadership and accountability, and provide incentives for change. Our goal is to maximize the effect we have on the ground as we deliver on the Council's mandates. Data collection and analysis are an integral element of our approach.”
2018-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8349 (2018) · source
“These assessments will inform our reporting to the Council, in accordance with several recent mandate resolutions, including resolution 2409 (2018), mandating MONUSCO. We have also stepped up our efforts to make sure that the units joining our missions meet our operational readiness standards before they are deployed, including through the development of a new methodology for carrying out predeployment evaluations. Since April, we have used it to assess eight units from six troop-contributing countries. The evaluations examine whether they have the basic military know-how and the requisite skills to carry out the mandated tasks of the Mission. They also assess whether these units have the expertise needed for the specific environment in which they will be deployed.”
2018-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8349 (2018) · source
“That includes more triangular cooperation between the United Nations, the AU and the EU at the strategic and operational levels. As part ofthis wide effort to enhance the efficiency of peacekeeping, we are devoting considerable attention to better assessing performance. We are putting in place the policies and evaluation systems that will enable all of us, collectively, to better tailor our efforts to strengthen peacekeeping and better support all peacekeepers, whether uniformed or civilian. For our military personnel, we have established a clear framework of performance standards and assessments based on regular performance evaluations of military units, including on command and control, the protection of civilians, conduct and discipline, and training.”
2018-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8349 (2018) · source
“The recommendations of the reviews inform the proposals and options that the Secretary-General puts forward in his recommendations to the Security Council. We are already beginning to learn lessons from this series of reviews, and we intend to continue to strengthen and refine this methodology. Thirdly, we are taking forward the Secretary- General's reforms of the peace and security architecture in order to provide more integrated analysis and better country and regional strategies. We are also preparing to implement the Secretary-General's management reform, which will empower our peace operations in the field and enable us to become more reactive and nimble. Fourthly, we continue strengthening cooperation with our key partners, especially the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU), both of which are with us today.”
2018-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8349 (2018) · source
“First, we have put in place a robust structure here at Headquarters and in the field to take forward implementation of the action plan. I assigned the Office for Peacekeeping Strategic Partnership with overseeing implementation, in close collaboration with the Office of Military Affairs and other relevant offices. The Implementation Support Teams established at Headquarters and in the five high-risk missions continue to be very active in taking forward their respective action plans to drive concrete change on the ground. Secondly, we have undertaken a series of independently led reviews of peacekeeping missions. We have been going back to square one to assess these missions' mandates and whether we have the appropriate strategies and resources to keep or restore the peace.”
2018-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8349 (2018) · source
“I saw that our peacekeepers in Aguelhok and Tessalit are proactively patrolling, despite the significant threats that they face. Last April, a large group of assailants carried out a sophisticated, complex attack against one of our bases in Timbuktu, resulting in the death of one peacekeeper. In that case, the mindset and the degree of preparedness of the troops helped to significantly limit the number of casualties, as the attackers were met with a robust response. We see such evolutions in other missions as well. In the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), for instance, our peacekeepers are protecting civilians more effectively through a more proactive posture.”
2018-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8349 (2018) · source
“I want to emphasize that each and every peacekeeper killed is one too many. We mourn the lives of the fallen and are reminded that we must collectively do more to strengthen the safety and security of our peacekeepers. It is essential to enable us to better execute our mandates in the countries in which we serve. The trend that I have described calls on us to remain vigilant and fully mobilized to continue this course of action. In many of our missions, peacekeepers are carrying out more effective responses to threats and attacks. I recently returned from Mali and I can attest to the positive changes that the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSCA) has made. Many of its camps are better protected, including through more advanced systems for detecting threats.”
2018-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8349 (2018) · source
“Through its implementation, we are changing mindset, strengthening our operational readiness and modifying our posture. We are also enhancing the capacity of United Nations peacekeeping by providing better-tailored training and doing our utmost to make sure that peacekeepers have the equipment they need. We are strengthening accountability and ensuring that if an incident occurs, our peacekeepers receive the best care possible as soon as possible. Much work remains to be done, but we are beginning to see the effects of our collective efforts. From 15 January to 31 August, 17 peacekeepers lost their life due to acts ofviolence. The number over the same period last year was 26. This represents a significant decrease. In mentioning these figures, I want to remain cautious and modest because threats against our peacekeepers remain very high.”
2018-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8349 (2018) · source
“Following intensive consultations with all of our Member States, as well as intergovernmental organizations, the Secretary-General put forward the Declaration of Shared Commitments on United Nations Peacekeeping Operations to all Member States for their endorsement. The mutual commitments that it proposes, including on performance, are key to enhancing peacekeeping. The Secretariat is committed to playing its full part in responding to the challenges that Ijust highlighted. First, we continue our efforts to enhance performance, particularly by implementing the action plan to strengthen the safety and security of United Nations peacekeepers. The action plan is ultimately about performance, and it includes the requisite elements to strengthen it.”
2018-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8349 (2018) · source
“I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to them. Improving peacekeeping is by its very essence a collective endeavour. Ensuring that our missions are fit for purpose and perform well requires action by all of us and all of us working together. All stakeholders who, in one form or another, take part in peacekeeping need to improve our performance, and we all need to support each other in doing so. That includes the Secretariat, as well as the Member States, Security Council members, troop- and police-contributing countries, host nations, regional and subregional organizations and others. That is why the Secretary-General launched the Action for Peacekeeping initiative in March.”
2018-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8349 (2018) · source
“Mr. Lacroix: I would like to thank you, Madam President, for convening this debate on peacekeeping reform and how we can maximize our collective efforts to improve the performance of United Nations peacekeeping operations. Almost a year ago, the Council adopted resolution 2378 (2017), a landmark resolution on peacekeeping reform, under the presidency of Ethiopia. Since then, many efforts have been made to enhance peacekeeping, but much more needs to be done. We welcome today's discussion. It comes at a time when our operations face significant challenges: elusive political solutions, intra-State conflicts that are intertwined with broader threats, including international terrorist movements and organized crime, large-scale violence against civilians, and the targeting of our peacekeepers. Too many are making the ultimate sacrifice.”
2018-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8349 (2018) · source
“To that end, MINUSMA continues to support the ongoing investigations by the Malian and G-5 Sahel Joint Force authorities. Allow me to conclude by underlining that stronger support to the G-5 Sahel Joint Force, including through predictable and sustainable financial resources, is critical not only to ensuring the success of the Joint Force but also to reducing the risk of human rights violations during counter-terrorism operations by increasing the monitoring and oversight capacity.”
2018-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8288 (2018) · source
“I welcome this opportunity to reiterate the steadfast support of the United Nations for the G-5 Sahel Joint Force, to which MINUSMA stands ready to provide operational and logistical support, as mandated by the Security Council. At the same time, I wish to recall that States members of the G-5 Sahel remain accountable for the conduct of operations, with full respect for human rights, international law and international humanitarian law. Such gross human rights violations as those reportedly perpetrated in Boulikessi on 19 May by elements of the Malian armed forces operating under the Joint Force must, and will, be effectively addressed through the appropriate mechanisms. In that context, the Government of Mali has already adopted a number of measures to address that very serious situation.”
2018-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8288 (2018) · source
“Moreover, given the critical juncture at which Mali now finds itself a few weeks ahead of the elections, but also in view of their aftermath, we will intensify our reporting and monitoring efforts, including through the use of consolidated benchmarks, drawing on the peace Agreement and the initiative for peace, as well as the plan for the implementation of the recommendations of the strategic review. In line with that objective, we would wish for future iterations of the report of the Secretary-General to focus more closely on describing progress against those benchmarks. MINUSMA will continue to cooperate closely with other security actors operating in Mali, including the Joint Force of the Group of Five for the Sahel (G-S Sahel), Operation Barkhane and the European Union Training Mission in Mali.”
2018-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8288 (2018) · source
“That will include adopting a more tailored approach to the protection of civilians, particularly in the centre of the country, which is characterized by complex and localized dynamics, and leveraging non-force assets. Any changes in the Mission's configuration will be carefully evaluated, in consultation with partners on the ground, and a timeline will be developed to ensure a sequenced approach. In that regard, the Secretariat has worked on an implementation framework. The support and assistance of MINUSMA should be regularly reviewed not only on the basis of progress in the implementation of the peace agreement but also with regard to governance and political reforms, in line with the stated objectives of the proposed mobilization for peace.”
2018-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8288 (2018) · source
“With regard to MINUSMA, the Secretary-General is recommending a series of adjustments suggested by the review, aimed at underscoring the primacy of politics in the Mission's role. That will involve a shift in focus, prioritization and the implementation of the Mission's mandated tasks to maximize its role in support of the Agreement and in amplifying the peace process. The Mission is also to assess its current physical footprint against political priorities, factoring in the constraints posed by the operational theatre, the difficulties in generating resources for the United Nations efforts in Mali and how to more effectively work with other stakeholders supporting peace and stability in Mali.”
2018-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8288 (2018) · source
“In that spirit, the recently concluded independent strategic review of MINUSMA recommended that the United Nations country team take the lead in humanitarian, recovery, development and peacebuilding efforts, including supporting Government efforts to deliver long-awaited peace dividends in an equitable, responsible and inclusive manner, including improving access to basic social services, such as education, health and clean water, as well as providing more livelihood opportunities, in particular for women and youth. United Nations efforts to prevent violent extremism should also be based on a coordinated, cross-sector strategy. To support those objectives, the review team called upon the United Nations country team to enhance its presence in the north and centre of the country.”
2018-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8288 (2018) · source
“Its primary objective would be to reaffirm the centrality of the peace Agreement in resolving the crisis in Mali and to underscore once again the commitment of the United Nations to the mechanisms provided for in the Agreement, in particular the Agreement Monitoring Committee, chaired by Algeria, whose role is essential in international mediation. The initiative could also cover the key institutional reforms I have just mentioned, the implementation of which should be accelerated the day after the elections. (Spoke in English) To better support such an integrated strategic approach at the political level, the United Nations must also take steps to improve integration at the operational level, while leveraging the comparative advantages of its different agencies, funds and programmes.”
2018-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8288 (2018) · source
“The political and security environment in that region has highlighted not only the lack ofpolitical dialogue, but also the challenges posed to democratic and territorial governance, which have been characterized by an erosion of the presence and legitimacy of the State institutions. It was in order to help respond to the multifaceted challenges facing Mali and to breathe new life into the implementation of the peace Agreement that the Secretary-General mentioned in his report the idea of a common vision - a pact - for peace that would serve as a catalyst to strengthen the inclusive nature of the political process before and after the elections. That initiative would involve the Government, the United Nations, the Security Council and other international and regional partners.”
2018-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8288 (2018) · source
“The report underscores the importance for the parties to focus their efforts on the strategic pillars of the Agreement relating to long-term objectives, including the creation of a new governance architecture for Mali, the reconstitution and redeployment of a representative national army and the creation of a development zone for the north. Furthermore, we hope that the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 2374 (2017), concerning Mali, can help to remove some of the obstacles that continue to undermine the implementation of the Agreement. The worrying situation in central Mali presents us with even more complex challenges.”
2018-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8288 (2018) · source
“Furthermore, any certification exercise of an electoral process must involve the whole process, and not only the results of the elections, and would have required prior authorization by the Security Council. Following the elections, our attention should be focused on mobilizing all actors in order to generate new and significant steps towards the implementation of key institutional reforms outlined in the Agreement. I welcome the publication of the first report of the independent observer, presented to the members of the Agreement Monitoring Committee on 28 May at its most recent regular meeting.”
2018-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8288 (2018) · source
“MINUSMA will continue to play an active role in that regard, including by continuing to support the Malian authorities and political actors through the good offices of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General as well as by providing logistical and technical support and contributing to security for electoral activities. The Special Representative's good offices have already helped to support key preparatory steps in the electoral process, such as the review of the electoral law, but they have also facilitated dialogue among political actors and eased tensions following the demonstrations by the opposition on 2 June. We think it pertinent to stress that the United Nations is not in a position to certify the election results, as requested by the opposition parties, as that activity is not part of the mandate of MINUSMA.”
2018-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8288 (2018) · source
“Subsequently, the authorization of a new request to demonstrate introduced by the opposition and the peaceful holding of the march on 8 June bode well for an easing of the situation, which is welcome and which we must encourage and help the Malian actors to maintain. The presidential election is a crucial stage and should be a milestone in the consolidation of democracy in Mali. Priority must given to cooperation among all actors and the promotion an inclusive and constructive political dialogue that is conducive to the peaceful settlement of disputes, so that the conditions are met for the holding ofpeaceful elections.”
2018-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8288 (2018) · source
“Peace must be built on an inclusive and participatory foundation to ensure its sustainability and ownership by all. That imperative is all the more important given that the past two weeks have been marked by worrying political tensions, fuelled by the upcoming presidential election, which is scheduled to be held in six weeks' time. Those tensions culminated in demonstrations in Bamako on 2 June, where there were violent clashes among supporters of the opposition and Malian security forces. That violence is regrettable, and the Secretary- General condemned the ban on the holding of the demonstration by the Malian authorities.”
2018-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8288 (2018) · source
“That progress reflects a positive momentum in the peace process, which inspires hope. However, it falls short and comes after three years of delays and persistent obstacles in the implementation of the Agreement. Furthermore, during the past year, some important steps to sustain the peace process and strengthen political dialogue have not been achieved. I would mention in that regard, among others, the charter for national reconciliation, which was intended to strengthen the gains of the Conference of National Understanding, held in March 2017, and to constitutional reform, which was postponed until after the presidential election. Moreover, the involvement of civil society, in particular women, in the peace process remains insufficient to date.”
2018-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8288 (2018) · source
“That visit enabled him to observe the spirit of dialogue and collective responsibility that enabled the Malian parties to achieve considerable progress in implementing the Agreement in recent months and to lay the foundation for credible, inclusive and peaceful elections. Progress in the implementation of the peace Agreement includes, inter alia, the establishment of interim authorities in the five regions in the north of Mali; the strengthening of the Operational Coordination Mechanism in Gao and its establishment in Kidal and Timbuktu, with 160 and 47 combatants, respectively, to date; and the start of the pre-registration phase for the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants, which is an extremely important element in that context.”
2018-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8288 (2018) · source
“At the same time, the security environment remains volatile, and unfortunately it has led to the loss of life among the civilian population, the Malian defence and security forces, the French Barkhane force and the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). The number of MINUSMA Blue Helmets to have lost their lives in Mali over the past year as a result of attacks has raised the total number to 101 since the deployment of the Mission. It was in order to pay tribute to those fallen peacekeepers that the Secretary-General decided to visit Mali to commemorate the seventieth anniversary of United Nations peacekeeping on 29 May.”
2018-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8288 (2018) · source
“At the outset, I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for this opportunity to share with Security Council members the most recent developments on the political, security and humanitarian situation in Mali, as reflected in the most recent report of the Secretary-General (8/2018/541). The 12 months since the adoption of resolution 2364 (2017), in June 2017, were the most encouraging in terms of progress in the peace process since the signing, three years ago, of the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali, which was the outcome of the Algiers process.”
2018-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8288 (2018) · source
“We believe that, working together, this new approach can help establish a future of United Nations and AU support to Darfur that will help to improve the lives of the Darfuri people now and in the long term.”
2018-06-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8283 (2018) · source
“The special report that is before the Council is a recognition that the international community must adapt its support accordingly. What it proposes is a way to draw on the capabilities of the entire United Nations system, in partnership with the AU, to better tailor our work to the reality on the ground. As the United Nations refocuses its support on Darfur, it will need the committed backing of the Government of the Sudan, the United Nations country team and humanitarian partners, as well as the troop- and police-contributing countries and the members of the Council, to navigate the significant changes. We thank the Council for its continued support as we work to achieve peace and stability for Darfur, and security and development for its people.”
2018-06-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8283 (2018) · source
“UNAMID would support the establishment of joint UNAMID-United Nations country team liaison offices in each Darfur state capital, except Zalingei, with the country team leading work tailored to the needs of each state. The two linked concepts in the special report provide a road map for whole-of-system support to long-term peace and stability in Darfur. For this to be realized, it is essential that longer-term funding arrangements be in place and that we raise voluntary contributions, use funding from the assessed budget during the transition, and work closely with the Peacebuilding Support Office to access funding. We rely on the support of our partners to bring that vision to life. The situation in Darfur has changed radically for the better since the height of the conflict, and the needs of the people have changed with it.”
2018-06-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8283 (2018) · source
“Overall, the force strength would be reduced from 8,735 to 4,050 military personnel, and the police component would be reduced from 2,500 officers to 1,870. The whole-of-system transition concept focuses on addressing the critical drivers of conflict and preventing relapse. To operationalize this, four substantive areas have been identified to enable the Government, the United Nations country team, civil society partners, as well as international actors to carefully and responsibly prepare for the Mission's envisaged exit: first, the rule of law, including police; secondly, resilience and livelihoods, including durable solutions for IDPs and host communities; thirdly, immediate service delivery to IDPs; and, fourthly, human rights.”
2018-06-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8283 (2018) · source
“Within the peacekeeping concept, UNAMID would focus its activities on three strategic priorities: first, protecting civilians, monitoring human rights and facilitating humanitarian assistance; secondly, mediation between the Government of the Sudan and non-signatory armed movements on the basis of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur; and thirdly, local-level mediation to address intercommunal or other local conflict. The area of operations would be reduced to 13 team sites in the greater Jebel Marra and the mission headquarters would move from E1 Fasher to Zalingei, Central Darfur. The supercamp in E1 Fasher would be downsized and continue to serve as a logistics hub, while all other team sites and supercamps outside of the new area of operations would be closed.”
2018-06-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8283 (2018) · source
“The report presents two central concepts that would work hand in hand over a two-year time frame: first, a peacekeeping concept, which focuses on the most precarious areas where the protection of civilians, humanitarian support and the mediation of local conflict remain a necessity to further the peace process; and secondly, a transition concept, which, in collaboration with the United Nations country team, aims to bridge the transition from peacekeeping to early recovery and development.”
2018-06-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8283 (2018) · source
“Now is the time to plan for the future of the United Nations and African Union support to Darfur by closely linking the drawdown in peacekeeping to the build-up in peacebuilding and development. This linkage, between focusing peacekeeping efforts on the one hand and increasing peacebuilding and development capacity on the other, is at the heart of the special report before the Council today.”
2018-06-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8283 (2018) · source
“While talks stalled over the creation of new and independent implementation mechanisms for a subsequent peace agreement, parties agreed on all other elements of the proposed pre-negotiation framework. For the first time, the non-signatory movements accepted the principle of negotiating on the basis of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur. The conflict in Darfur has changed, and to best serve the Darfuri people, UNAMID must change with it. The peacekeeping mission should be directed to the area where it is most needed, namely, at the site of continued conflict in the Jebel Marra. In the rest of Darfur, the United Nations system should leverage the capabilities of the agencies, funds and programmes best suited to tackling the problems that remain there.”
2018-06-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8283 (2018) · source
“Violence against internally displaced persons (IDPs) , including attacks on IDP camps and reports of forced evictions, remains a concern. Allegations were received from IDPs in the area of Kass, South Darfur, of harassment by Rapid Support Forces to force them off of public lands and buildings. Confrontations in the Khamsa Dagaig, Ardayba and Jedda IDP camps in Central Darfur between 21 and 23 May resulted in a number of IDPs being killed and injured. Efforts to reinvigorate the stalled peace process continued, with a meeting between the Government of the Sudan and the non-signatory movements in Berlin on 16 and 17 April to discuss a pre-negotiation framework.”
2018-06-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8283 (2018) · source