YouSaid · the spoken record

Ladsous

lines on the record: 1,177
first: 1992-11-19
most recent: 2017-03-16
sittings or episodes: 118
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“In January 2015, the Departments of Peacekeeping Operations and Field Support will review, with MINUSCA and in consultation with Operation Sangaris and the European Union Force in the Central African Republic (EUFOR), the military and police concepts of operations and make recommendations regarding adjustments that may be required to the agreed troop and police levels and their deployment to achieve mandated tasks, in particular in the run-up to the elections. We remain fully committed to ensuring a phased approached in MINUSCA's deployment. The security situation in the Central African Republic remains volatile, as I have said, and the presence of the State weak at best, and often essentially absent. Civilians remain under constant threat and impunity is still rampant.”
2014-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7329 (2014) · source
“The national electoral authorities must launch a transparent voter registration process that enables the full participation ofreturning and displaced populations without delay. Increased support of the international community will also need to be strengthened in order to avoid further delays. A conducive security environment will also be required and necessitate progress in the political process and the strongest possible resolve of all actors to ensure the peaceful conduct of the electoral process and a successful conclusion of the Transition.”
2014-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7329 (2014) · source
“The National Electoral Authority also conducted a mission to Cameroon to assess voter-registration modalities for refugees there. Further missions in the subregion are also planned for the same purpose. Despite all of these positive steps, we should not forget that the holding of elections by August 2015 will be extremely challenging. The success of the process will hinge on a significantly strengthened commitment on the part of the Central African Republic authorities and, I would reiterate, also require the political, operational and financial support of the international community. There is a critical need for the national authorities to adopt the revised electoral law and to agree on outstanding issues, including on the sequencing of elections and the voter registration methodology.”
2014-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7329 (2014) · source
“MINUSCA and its main United Nations electoral partner, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), are reinforcing their support capacities for the elections, with a particular focus on the mobilization of additional logistical assets and the swift recruitment of electoral staff. A UNDP project document on the issue has also been agreed. However, only three partners, namely the European Union, France and UNDP, have pledged funds in support of the electoral process. For their part, the transitional authorities have released a tranche of funds in the amount of 1 billion CFA francs - approximately $2 million - for the elections. The National Electoral Authority, with support from MINUSCA, is finalizing the dispatch of several missions to the region to appoint elections officers in each of the districts.”
2014-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7329 (2014) · source
“On 29 November, the national coordinator of the anti-Balaka, Patrice Edouard Ngaissona, announced that his group would transform into a political party named the Central African Party for Unity and Development. Let us be clear: a successful and timely Bangui forum will be crucial in order to prepare the ground for the planned constitutional referendum as well as the legislative and presidential elections. Preparations for the elections had been proceeding quite slowly until agreement was reached to conduct the polls by August 2015. This is clearly an extremely tight time frame for the elections.”
2014-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7329 (2014) · source
“Let us not forget the situation of the approximately 1 million refugees and internally displaced persons, many of whom want to return to their homes. In addition, the Bangui forum, which international partners have been requested to support, should aim to be the starting point for a longer-term reconciliation process at all levels of society, with mechanisms put in place to monitor the implementation of the forum's key recommendations. Various leaders of the increasingly fragmented ex-Se'leka and anti-Balaka have held their general assembly meetings and publicly expressed their support for the national dialogue process, which will include participation in the Bangui forum.”
2014-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7329 (2014) · source
“Further consultations at the prefecture level are also planned, the results of which will feed into the work of a preparatory committee announced by the transitional authorities that Will oversee preparations for the forum. As the outline of the Bangui forum begins to take shape, there is incontestably a growing consensus on the need to address the full range of issues that lie at the heart of the crisis in the Central African Republic, including the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of armed groups and preparations for security-sector reform, including the reconstitution of the Forces armees centrafricaines, as well as issues relating to political and economic governance and the fight against impunity, which is a vital issue.”
2014-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7329 (2014) · source
“In that context, preparations are well under way for the Bangui forum on national reconciliation, to be held early next year. In order to lay the groundwork for this important national dialogue, a process of local consultations coordinated by the Ministry of Reconciliation has been initiated with the support of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). From 29 November to 3 December, transitional Government ministers representing the Central African Republic's 16 prefectures met with local Government officials and community leaders as a first step towards engagement in the Bangui forum and the country's longer-term reconciliation process.”
2014-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7329 (2014) · source
“I wish to thank you, Mr. President, for this opportunity to bring the Security Council up to date on recent developments in the Central African Republic following the issuance on 1 December of the report of the Secretary-General. Although the situation in the Central African Republic remains volatile - members will recall the episodes of violence that took place in Bangui in October - we note with satisfaction that the political process is once again moving forward thanks to the notable efforts of the mediator for the Central African Republic, President Sassou Nguesso. An agreement has been reached among stakeholders in the country, the region and international partners to request the mediator to extend the transition period by six months, until August 2015.”
2014-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7329 (2014) · source
“In conclusion, we must regret the security situation and the fact that protection for the local population remains weak. It is true that the main cause of all this are the ubiquitous inter-communal tribal clashes, with the attendant displacement of people they generate. While the mission is making every effort to address the problems facing humanitarian actors in the short term, it is clear that concrete lasting solutions for the population of Darfur are linked to progress on political issues being addressed in the course of the discussions recently begun in Addis Ababa. In practical terms, that implies the aboslute need for a genuine ceasefire and a comprehensive peace agreement.”
2014-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7326 (2014) · source
“The strategic assessment will make it possible for us to brief the Council on the progress we have made or not made - I do not know yet either way - on the three issues of strengthening military capacity, the level of cooperation received from the Government of the Sudan and the capacity to move forward along with the country team, the agencies and the programmes. Nevertheless, the fact itself that such a public statement was made is something that colours the overall picture somewhat. I also point out that last week we received another note verbale from the Government of the Sudan directing us not to deal further with any Sudanese body without first turning to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. We need to assess the impact of that demand, but it is certainly also something that is part of the backdrop.”
2014-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7326 (2014) · source
“Moreover, the Government of the Sudan publicly called for UNAMID's exit - in those very words. I should say that we currently have a strategic assessment team in Khartoum that began its meetings over the past two days. In particular, the issue of UNAMID's exit from the Sudan was discussed. I think that the Government has clearly established that this is not about leaving tomorrow, but that we need to agree on a strategy. That is what we are attempting to pursue, in line with the spirit of the Council's latest resolution.”
2014-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7326 (2014) · source
“I turn now to the matter of collaboration and coordination between UNAMID and the Government of the Sudan, which is necessary if we are to bring our task to fruition. In that connection, it should be noted that there were tensions between the Government and the mission during the recent period, including with regard to a problem I have already mentioned - access by staff to Thabit to ascertain facts. I should also point out that, on 23 November, UNAMID received a note verbale demanding the immediate withdrawal of two human rights experts stationed at the mission's liaison office in Khartoum, where they had a long-established role with the Sudan's National Commission on Human Rights and other organizations on all issues related to Darfur. We had no choice in the matter, but such a demand is clearly unacceptable.”
2014-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7326 (2014) · source
“I also note that UNAMID's aviation fleet has been reconfigured through a reduction of four fixed- wing aircraft and two helicopters, while 400 UNAMID vehicles are being deployed to the United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response. UNAMID and the United Nations country team have developed an integrated strategic framework for 2014-2016, which is the principal mechanism for planning, implementing and monitoringjoint UNAMID and United Nations country team initiatives. It focuses on the three strategic priorities and is consistent with all other relevant documents, including the United Nations Development Assistance Framework for 2012-2016, the humanitarian strategic response plan for 2014 and the Darfur Development Strategy.”
2014-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7326 (2014) · source
“Over the past months, the Mission has further recalibrated its activities towards the three strategic priorities defined early this year. It has conducted a comprehensive assessment and adjustment of its structures, personnel and material capacities, as reported in the letter dated 16 September from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of Security Council (S/20l4/670). The UNAMID personnel streamlining exercise has been completed. In that connection, 1,260 posts have been identified for abolition - 770 posts in the current budget year, and the remaining 490 posts to follow in the next. An additional 56 posts will be nationalized this budget year.”
2014-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7326 (2014) · source
“The number of people displaced by conflict since the beginning of the year has risen to more than 430,000, with close to 300,000 remaining in displacement, in addition to some 2 million long-term IDPs. The reporting period was also characterized by heavy rains and floods that affected thousands of IDPs in August. While humanitarian access remains severely problematic, there were some improvements, with several inter-agency field missions undertaken in all five Darfur states to assess needs and deliver assistance. UNAMID continued to work closely with humanitarian agencies to facilitate the delivery of assistance to vulnerable affected communities through the provision, inter alia, of escorts and logistical support. I believe that this assistance has proved to be very useful.”
2014-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7326 (2014) · source
“While some of these measures have undoubtedly helped to improve, howsoever modestly, the security situation in South Darfur, the displaced have firmly resisted all the Government's attempts to enter the camps. This includes the case of the Kalma IDP camp, where in mid-August UNAMID engaged both with state and local authorities in an attempt to de-escalate tensions and avert violence, while it also intervened with the camp's leadership to reassure them of UNAMID's protection should search operations be conducted. As a result, no search operations have been conducted in the camp to date. The humanitarian situation remains dire and very worrisome.”
2014-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7326 (2014) · source
“While there was a reduction in the number of confrontations during the reporting period, the clashes were markedly more deadly, with a total of 377 fatalities recorded, as compared to 93 confirmed deaths in the previous period. Criminality remains a major concern, with attacks on villages and incidents ofrape, hijacking and abduction continuing throughout Darfur. In response to concerns over the rising number of criminal incidents, on 15 July the Government of South Darfur introduced emergency measures, which included a state-wide curfew, a ban on the movement of armed civilians, extensive search- and-detain operations in camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs), and the establishment of a court to try emergency cases.”
2014-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7326 (2014) · source
“Another deep concern is the continuation of violent attacks by armed assailants against UNAMID and United Nations personnel, in which three of our peacekeepers and one national staff member have died since our last briefing to the Council (see S/PV.7250). I take this opportunity to express my condolences to the Ethiopian and Rwandan Governments and to the families of those killed and injured in such attacks. The Government of the Sudan must continue to do everything in its power to identify and hold accountable those responsible. Intercommunal violence continues to affect and displace civilian communities. In particular, the conflicts between the Rizeigat and Ma'alia in East Darfur, the Beni Hussein and Northern Rizeigat in North Darfur and the Fallatta and Habbaniya in South Darfur represent the most significant tribal conflicts.”
2014-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7326 (2014) · source
“Following repeated requests over a number of days for access to the village and surrounding areas in order to interact with the local community and determine a factual account of events, a verification mission was sent a week later, on 9 November. The team's findings, however, remain inconclusive and require further investigation, in part due to the heavy presence of military and police in the village. I underscore that only a fully independent investigation by UNAMID will effectively shed light on these serious allegations, and I therefore urge the Government of the Sudan once again to grant UNAMID immediate and independent access to Thabit and its population so that these reports can be verified.”
2014-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7326 (2014) · source
“There have been major concerns throughout the reporting period about our inability to get direct access to all the vulnerable populations in need of protection. While the restrictions on movement have unquestionably decreased - the rainy season being a factor - the issue of obtaining free and unhindered access to communities in need remains a concern and an obstacle to implementation of the mandate. I therefore continue to strongly urge the Government to honour the terms of the status-of-forces agreement and to give Mission personnel full and unhindered freedom of movement throughout Darfur. One incident that was given particular attention by the media on 2 November was the alleged rape of over 200 women and girls on 30 and 31 October in Thabit, North Darfur.”
2014-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7326 (2014) · source
“The report gives a figure of 55 cases of violence and attacks on civilians recorded by UNAMID during the period under consideration, of which 16 were allegedly perpetrated by Arab militias, 23 by Government forces and the remaining 16 by unknown armed elements. Internally displaced persons, in particular, have continued to express concerns about the deteriorating security situation, particularly in the camps in North and West Darfur. That insecurity, along with the continuing restrictions on movement imposed by the Government forces, armed movements and militia groups, has had an effect on the Mission's ability to implement its mandate, particularly regarding the protection of civilians. It also continues to pose serious problems for the safety and security of both our personnel and humanitarian workers.”
2014-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7326 (2014) · source
“Regarding security, the report before the Council describes a precarious situation, with clashes between the Government of the Sudan and the armed movements, deadly intercommunal conflicts and increased criminality and banditry, all of which has inevitably had a significant impact on civilians across all five States of Darfur. While there has undoubtedly been an overall decrease in military operations in recent months, most likely as a result ofthe rainy season, there have nonetheless been intermittent clashes between Government forces and armed movements, as well as reports of aerial bombardments.”
2014-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7326 (2014) · source
“Concerning relations between the Government of the Sudan and the Justice and Equality Movement, we note that they clearly both feel the need to speed up finalization of the Movement's disarmament verification process. I should also note the information we received yesterday on a joint political statement calling on the Sudan to establish a State based on citizenship and democracy and signed by a number of groups, including Minni Minawi. We will have to study its wording, because its various elements include the groups' determination to form a united front, and a call for a boycott of the elections scheduled for April 2015 and for popular resistance. I repeat that it is too soon to draw conclusions, but I believe it deserves more careful scrutiny.”
2014-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7326 (2014) · source
“On the political front, and with regard to the peace process, direct talks between the Government of the Sudan and armed movements in Darfur - the Sudan Liberation Army-Minni Minawi and the Justice and Equality Movement-Gibril Ibrahim - began on 23 November in Addis Ababa, and for the first time were held under the auspices of the African Union High-level Implementation Panel. Council members will recall that the Panel is facilitating the talks with the goal of promoting a cessation of hostilities between the armed movements and the Government of the Sudan, and in this way to enable the movements to take part in a future national dialogue. The negotiations were suspended on 30 November to allow the parties to consult with their respective leaders and bases on the format of future negotiations.”
2014-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7326 (2014) · source
“Following the release on 26 November of the Secretary-General's periodic report (8/2014/852) on the activities of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), I should like to update the Council on the latest developments in the peace process in Darfur and the current security and humanitarian situation in the region. I would also like to take this opportunity to describe the measures that the United Nations has taken, in consultation with the African Union and UNAMID, in order to implement the Council's recommendations in resolutions 2148 (2014) and 2173 (2014), aimed at strengthening the mission so as to streamline its operations.”
2014-12-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7326 (2014) · source
“I also want to say that we will continue to work with United Nations police chiefs to constantly adjust to the needs, in terms of quantity and quality alike, given the contribution of United Nations police to our shared values of peace, security and respect for human rigths.”
2014-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7317 (2014) · source
“Although some may be quite ahead when it comes to gender issues, others are not quite that advanced. And clearly, we reflect what the Member States provide us. However, we are increasingly deploying all- women police units. And that is because, as we must acknowledge, law-and-order problems often include a level of danger and impact that is more pronounced on women. Our experience with such units - in the Congo, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in Haiti and in Liberia - leads us to be convinced of that fact. I should like once again to thank you for this initiative, Madam President, which I think all ofus will find very useful.”
2014-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7317 (2014) · source
“And all of that requires growing sophistication. Member States are providing us significant support in all those areas. From here at the Council, I should like to appeal for additional language capabilities. We are operating in places that necessarily require, at least for basic training, a mastery of the most prevalent language in the country. Specifically, I have in mind the Arabic language and French. However, we also always have a need for more women. That is because we have set ourselves the goal i one that may perhaps be too ambitions - of reaching the target of 20 per cent women police for this year. I humbly admit that we are far from meeting that goal, but I would add that this also reflects the situation as it exists in national police services.”
2014-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7317 (2014) · source
“In some cases, such as in the weakest countries and those with the least infrastructure, it is a matter of temporarily carrying out police duties, including law enforcement. And finally, their role is to support efforts at reform, restructuring and, sometimes, simply creating a national or other police service to be responsible for enforcing the law. Ultimately, all of that calls for increasingly sophisticated capacity. Above and beyond the traditional distinction between individual police and formed police units, we are daily seeing a growing need for specialized police, including in scientific and technological terms - and by that I am referring to twenty-first century technology, not that of 100 years ago or longer. Once again, this touches on ensuring domestic laws and combating organized crime.”
2014-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7317 (2014) · source
“I wish to pay tribute to United Nations police for the courage and creativity they display in those often difficult circumstances. I always say that United Nations police are often the daily face, as it were, of a mission, whether peacekeeping or political. It is therefore very imporant that this first impression be convincing and make an impact. But allow me also to refer to a saying in the language I know best. It is often said in my country that fear of the policeman is the beginning of wisdom. I think that is quite true, and it illustrates the major role our police must play in all of our tasks - beginning overall with stabilization. However, those tasks are spread out across three areas. The first is to provide assistance to host countries in the areas of the rule of law via police services.”
2014-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7317 (2014) · source
“As you have said, Madam, President, it is true that there has been unprecedented growth in United Nations policing in recent years - from a few thousand police at the begiing of the 2000s to exactly 12,352 deployed police today, from 91 Member States, throughout 13 peacekeeping operations and 4 special political missions. That exponential growth illustrates the challenges we face in the contemporary period. Changes in the nature of the security situation, including changes in the type of needs, along with an increasing number of threats that include traditional problems related to basic security as well as the fight against terrorism, transnational organized crime and corruption - all of this is part of the current reality experienced by our police.”
2014-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7317 (2014) · source
“At the outset, I should like to express our great gratitude to you, Madam President, for having taken the initiative to convene this first Security-Council debate devoted to all issues associated with United Nations policing. I also thank you for your initiative on draft resolution S/2014/828 - a first, I believe, in United Nations history - which is quite in line with all the efforts we at the Secretariat have deployed, especially in the recent period, to better integrate the development of United Nations police within what we call the strategic guidance framework. I think all of this will contribute trememdously to strengthening both the doctrine and the way we try to resolve the problems that come before us.”
2014-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7317 (2014) · source
“Even as the international community scales up its response to the immediate challenge of defeating Ebola, we must also consider how we may collectively support the rebuilding of Liberia in the wake of the disease.”
2014-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7310 (2014) · source
“In the current circumstances, we are of the view that it would be appropriate to extend UNMIL's mandate until September 2015, while taking forward the set of recommendations on political issues and deferring consideration of the drawdown of troops and police until such time as the appropriate health authorities inform us that the Ebola crisis is over. As a representative of the international community, we must seize the current moment and see how best we may collectively help to transform it into one that is positively catalytic for the country. As the Secretary- General put it in his report in August, we may have to reimagine our engagement in Liberia.”
2014-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7310 (2014) · source
“And we must encourage the people and Government of Liberia to seize that opportunity, not only to address the immediate crisis but also to rebuild the country after Ebola. The people of Liberia have demonstrated considerable resilience throughout the Ebola crisis, and we are impressed by their strength. We must provide them with whatever assistance we can, and consider how best we can support not only the Ebola response, but also, and perhaps most critically, the post-Ebola reconstruction effort that will be required. In August, the Secretary-General made a series of recommendations (see S/2014/598) on how the United Nations could revise its engagement in Liberia, including with respect to enhancing the political role of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and drawing down its uniformed presence.”
2014-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7310 (2014) · source
“For instance, local officials have responded to challenges at their level in a manner we had not seen before, offering a unique opportunity for decentralizing services. Furthermore, the fact that the national human rights commission demanded accountability for the actions of the security forces at West Point has created an important opportunity to enhance democratic oversight of the security forces. Those are goals we have been working on for years, goals that we had observed there was a worrying lack of urgency to achieve. For Liberia, this is clearly a moment of national tragedy. As the Minister of Defence told the Council in September, the very existence of the nation is at stake. But even at such a difficult juncture, there is an opportunity to mobilize the urgency required for transformation.”
2014-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7310 (2014) · source
“The political and social divisions in Liberia are deepening, the already weak national institutions are looking increasingly vulnerable, and in the current circumstances the very survival of the country's economically most vulnerable people is at risk. As I said last month, even the small dignities of our shared humanity, the ability to touch and comfort loved ones, have all disappeared in the context of Ebola. However, in the midst of this serious crisis there is some good news. We are no longer seeing signs that security could seriously deteriorate further, which, the Council will recall, was our fear in late August and early September. And while the crisis has put unprecedented pressure on public institutions to perform, and it is true that they have not always been successful, some areas of strength have also been demonstrated.”
2014-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7310 (2014) · source
“Many in civil society have raised serious concerns about the appropriateness of proceeding with senatorial elections, while the electoral body has recommended to the legislature that they be held on 16 December. That is currently under consideration. Yesterday, the 90-day state of emergency imposed by the President in response to the health emergency expired, and the legislature is discussing its possible extension. Last month, I spoke about our fear that reversals could be triggered by the Ebola crisis. The Council is familiar with the challenges facing Liberia, and they have been exacerbated by the health emergency.”
2014-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7310 (2014) · source
“A few days ago, the Independent National Commission on Human Rights released a report challenging the findings ofa board ofinquiry on the army's actions while it was enforcing the quarantine of an Ebola-affected community in Monrovia. Five soldiers were found guilty of disciplinary offences related to the incident and have been demoted and sentenced to be kept in custody, but the question of criminal prosecution remains. Following direction from the President and the legislature, the national body responsible for elections has held consultations with various stakeholders on how to proceed with the senatorial elections that under normal circumstances would have been held on 14 October.”
2014-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7310 (2014) · source
“Today, I will again focus on Liberia, but I will attempt to look beyond the immediate health crisis to what we, as an international community deeply committed to that country, can continue to do in order to keep its longer- term interests in our sights. There have been several significant developments in the past month. In early October, the President accepted the resignation ofher Minister ofJustice, Ms. Christiana Tah, after more than five years of service. In departing, Ms. Tah publicly claimed that she had been thwarted in her efforts to carry out her responsibility for steering the national security institutions that come under her Ministry's authority.”
2014-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7310 (2014) · source
“Mr. Ladsous: I wish to begin by expressing my deep appreciation for the Security Council's efforts to mobilize support to defeat the Ebola epidemic, which, as we all know, has had serious political, security and social effects on all of the countries affected. A month ago, I had the opportunity to brief the Council on the implications for peace and security of the Ebola crisis (see S/PV.7279). While I spoke then to the political and security ramifications of the health emergency for all the countries in West Africa where we have peacekeeping operations deployed, including Mali and Cote d'Ivoire, my focus was nevertheless on Liberia, the country most affected by Ebola.”
2014-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7310 (2014) · source
“I would like to conclude by expressing my deep gratitude to all our personnel who, in tragic circumstances and an environment whose danger we are taking the full measure of, do their jobs in spite of everything with courage and determination. In expressing my sadness for all the victims, including the victim we have been personally mourning since last night, I think we owe them assurances that the United Nations is doing everything it can in this collaborative effort to try to keep things from getting even worse.”
2014-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7279 (2014) · source
“Extensive preparations have been undertaken by the United Nations Operation in cote d'Ivoire and the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali to respond to any potential outbreak of the epidemic, including developing emergency plans, operational plans based on a variety of scenarios, as well as business continuity plans for the missions if, in spite of all efforts, there is an accident. They have put in place plans for medical isolation and treatment facilities, all with the support of the United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response, with which the cooperation has been excellent, and other stakeholders.”
2014-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7279 (2014) · source
“Of course, that is something on which we need to garner the utmost support from the members of the Council and from the group of nations that comprise the international community. In conclusion, I will mention the situation in Cote d'Ivoire and in Mali. Fortunately, at this point no cases have been reported in either country. The two Governments have taken extremely robust measures to prevent the spread of Ebola in their territories or, if that were to happen, to prepare themselves for it. It should be noted that cote d'Ivoire and Mali have much more advanced health-care systems than most of their neighbours.”
2014-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7279 (2014) · source
“There are now 39 other UNMIL staff members, half of whom are military staff personnel, who are quarantined or under close watch. I think what needs to be understood clearly, and it is the reason that I visited Monrovia, is that our missions are made up of men and women who have families, people they love and people who love them. They have the legitimate expectation of being able to return home once their mission has ended. We must continue to do everything possible to ensure that they can fulfil their role and ensure that the Mission can again fulfil its role in maintaining peace and security. It is complicated work. The maximum possible guarantees must be provided in terms of treatment in the country and evacuation - as required.”
2014-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7279 (2014) · source
“Traditionally people touch each other and kiss each other. None of that remains. I believe that is something that should draw our attention, for the last rites given when a person dies are a major part of society. Circumstances now dictate that even when one loves someone, one cannot express one's love or affection or be close to them. I believe that is causing a lot of pain. I return to the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL). Until now, no United Nations staff had been affected. However, despite all of the vigilance, a Liberian member of the Mission died at the end of the September. The cause was most likely of Ebola, although we are not entirely sure. As the Council is aware, last night an international staff member of UNMIL died in Germany after having been diagnosed and then evacuated to Europe on 8 October.”
2014-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7279 (2014) · source
“We are working very closely with Liberia's security institutions to plan security operations that may be deemed necessary in the context of a state of emergency. As the Council is aware, the army has been removed from domestic security operations. Instead it is concentrating efforts on building humanitarian infrastructure and securing Liberia's still highly porous borders. I would like to add a few words regarding the situation in Liberia, concerning the human consequences ofthe crisis. When I visited Monrovia one month ago, I was struck by the fact that people did not touch each other any more. People do not shake hands any more - they wave at one another, at a distance at best. That is taking place in a complicated, complex society that has suffered and remains deeply divided. It is a caring and even tactile society.”
2014-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7279 (2014) · source
“That requires the ongoing commitment of all Liberian stakeholders, bearing in mind the goal of seeking consensus each and every time, as well as the agreement of all, in order to ensure effective governance and a Government that is accountable and transparent, all the while ensuring the protection of the population from the further spread of Ebola. Fortunately, up to now there has not been any tangible deterioration on the security front. There was tension in July and August. There was the incident at West Point where, according to media reports, a 15-year old adolescent died after being wounded by Liberian army soldiers. The situation has somewhat improved since that time, but it needs close follow-up. Public discontent remains high, and any public discontent anywhere represents an additional risk factor in terms of security.”
2014-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7279 (2014) · source
“She also sought ways and means to ensure that the State could take over private assets and sometimes even limit the use of such assets in the interest of security and the public health system. Again, there was no agreement in Parliament on whether to grant or to not grant those extraordinary emergency powers to the executive branch. In terms of UNMIL, what is important is to respect the rule of law and the rights of the citizens. That has prompted us to take a closer look at the changes being considered - the restrictions that could potentially be established - to ensure that such measures do not extend beyond the absolutely necessary tasks of such an emergency.”
2014-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7279 (2014) · source