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 sum, the current situation in Darfur is characterized by a significant decrease in armed conflict, particularly as a result of the Government's military successes against the armed movements and the efforts of state governments to curb intercommunal violence. Despite these improvements, however, civilians remain exposed to significant sources of insecurity: intercommunal conflict, criminality and the activities of armed militias. Because of the widespread proliferation of weapons and the inadequacy of rule-of- law and justice institutions, this is not being mitigated.”
2017-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7860 (2017) · source
“These meetings were an opportunity to review the implementation status of the benchmarks, including the commendable progress made on some points in this respect, and to identify what remains pending. However, the joint working group was not able to reach consensus on specific modalities for the reconfiguration of the mission in the light of the changes that have occurred on the ground. The United Nations, in partnership, as ever, with the African Union, will continue to engage with the Government, including within the framework of the joint working group, to address issues related to the benchmarks, the objective being to adjust them as necessary, as well as issues related to the UNAMID exit strategy.”
2017-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7860 (2017) · source
“I am hopeful that that spirit of cooperation will be maintained to address the mission's remaining operational challenges, including access and freedom of movement restrictions, the clearance of military and police equipment and delays and denials of visa requests for the Human Rights Section, because that does not contribute to carrying out the mandate. As had been requested by the Security Council and the African Union Peace and Security Council, the two organizations held discussions with the Government on the implementation of the UNAMID benchmarks and on the exit strategy within the framework of the joint working group, which convened in Khartoum in October and November.”
2017-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7860 (2017) · source
“There have been reports of arrests of opposition party members and political activists, as well as the closure of media outlets that were critical of the Government's austerity measures aimed at preventing inflation. On the basis of that, the opposition has also argued that the current situation in the Sudan is not conducive to national reconciliation and a free and inclusive political process. Turning to my final point, concerning relations with the Government of the Sudan, I am pleased to report on essentially unobstructed customs clearance of food shipments at Port Sudan, but not of contingent- owned equipment. However, progress has been made in the latter area. Progress has also been made in the granting of visa requests for some of the mission's personnel.”
2017-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7860 (2017) · source
“Accordingly, on 27 December, the National Assembly of the Sudan adopted several constitutional amendments that established a Government of National Reconciliation and the position of Prime Minister, both to be appointed by the President. They also included an increase in the number of seats in the Assembly, so that there can be greater representation and participation of opposition groups, and the separation of functions of the Attorney General and the Minister of Justice. But, in the absence of an agreement with the Government on the format and substance of the National Dialogue, major opposition groups have continued to boycott and criticize the process because they feel that it is insufficiently inclusive.”
2017-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7860 (2017) · source
“Finally, on 31 December, President Al-Bashir announced a one-month extension of the Government's unilateral ceasefire in Darfur and the two Areas, which had expired at the end of the year, and doubled down on that with the reiteration of his call for opposition groups to join the National Dialogue. President Al-Bashir also met with the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Sudan and South Sudan in Khartoum on 4 January and expressed readiness to further extend the ceasefire and reiterated the Government's commitment to implement the road map agreement. As Council members are aware, the Abdul Wahid faction remains outside of the peace process and rejected any form of talks with the Government. Following the conclusion of the National Dialogue in October 2016, the Government took steps to implement its recommendations.”
2017-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7860 (2017) · source
“All those actors engaged with the parties in order to bridge their differences. On 11 December 2016, the Deputy Prime Minister of Qatar, the Government of the Sudan, UNAMID and the United Nations Special Envoy for the Sudan and South Sudan held consultations in Doha to review the status of the negotiations and outstanding issues. On 20 December, President Mbeki met with President Al-Bashir and other Government officials in Khartoum to discuss prospects for the resumption of the cessation of hostilities and the status of the National Dialogue. On 25 December, President Museveni of Uganda engaged with the leadership of the Justice and Equality Movement and the Sudan Liberation Army/Minni Minawi in Kampala and discussed with them their specific concerns on the remaining points of disagreement.”
2017-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7860 (2017) · source
“Allow me now to say a word about the political situation. There have been concerted efforts by UNAMID and the African Union High-level Implementation Panel. Despite the initiatives taken by other international actors, including the Presidents of Chad and Uganda, as well as the Deputy Prime Minister of Qatar, little tangible progress has been made in the Darfur peace process. The engine of the process and future political talks, which would be an agreement on the cessation ofhostilities and humanitarian assistance, has remained stalled because ofpersistent disagreement between the parties on the modalities for the disclosure of armed movement locations in Darfur, the release of prisoners and the role of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur in future negotiations.”
2017-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7860 (2017) · source
“They focused on large areas of displacement such as Tawila and Sortony in North Darfur. Following the attack on IDP camps in Nertiti, UNAMID immediately deployed a police verification patrol to the area and intensified military and police patrols, coupled with the engagement of the Government of Central Darfur and the IDP community to defuse tensions. The mission further contributed to the prevention and mitigation of intercommunal conflict through constant engagement with local communities within the framework of early-warning networks, assessment and confidence-building missions and targeted patrols, thereby facilitating dialogue between sedentary farmers, nomads and other communities and calling for the effective engagement of Government and community leaders to resolve disputes.”
2017-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7860 (2017) · source
“(spoke in English) As of today, humanitarian actors have verified 97,000 displaced persons as a result of the fighting in Jebel Marra in 2016, while an additional 88,000 people have been reported but not verified as displaced because we lacked access to the relevant locations. Humanitarian work remains impeded by insecurity, delays and denials of access and travel requests. The past month, however, has seen some improvements with the completion of a joint assessment mission involving the agencies and Government in Gola in Central Darfur, and the regulations governing military access were eased by the Government's humanitarian aid commission. In that environment, UNAMID has continued to provide physical protection through military and police patrols to prevent, deter and respond to threats of violence against civilians.”
2017-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7860 (2017) · source
“For example, on 1 January, only a few days ago, members of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the police who were pursuing persons suspected of having been involved in the killing of a soldier did not hesitate to open fire inside camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nertiti, Habad East and Straha. At Straha there were no casualties, but at Habad East two displaced persons died, 43 others were wounded and four police officers were also injured. Subsequently, calm was restored, and the Deputy Governor of Central Darfur arrived at the scene. He promised to provide compensation and to pay for medical care. All of that somewhat eased tensions, but the situation continues.”
2017-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7860 (2017) · source
“Let us not forget that the seasonal migration is currently taking place and that there have been numerous clashes between herders and farmers in the southern part of Darfur, resulting in 71 deaths during the quarter under consideration and the theft of livestock in the more central and western parts of Darfur. With regard to the civilian population, including the most vulnerable groups, such as displaced persons, those people continue to be exposed to an elevated risk of violence. Throughout the territory of Darfur, there have been serious violations of their human rights.”
2017-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7860 (2017) · source
“Unquestionably, there was a more sustained interaction in their dealings with the traditional chiefs and indigenous administrations. All of that contributed to a decline in intercommunal violence relative to that of the previous years. Nevertheless, tensions among the different communities persist. As everyone knows, they continue to be salient because ofthe very long-standing disputes tied to access to land, water and other resources, including, more recently, clandestine gold mines. All of that has been exacerbated by the proliferation of weapons and an environment of impunity, thereby contributing to intercommunal violence.”
2017-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7860 (2017) · source
“Because of the losses it sustained during the Government's offensive in the first half of 2016, the defection of some of its commanders and growing internal dissension, the Sudan Liberation Army/Abdul Wahid is effectively maintaining a presence only in areas to the east and south-east of Sarrong. That, by the way, is the area where the two clashes I mentioned took place, on 19 November and 4 December. Also according to the Government, the Sudan Liberation Army/Abdul Wahid has no more than about 300 fighters, who have been pushed back to various parts of the Jebel Marra mountain range. However, UNAMID has not been able to confirm that, because the Sudanese Government is still restricting our access. Security arrangements were made and implemented by the Governors of the five states of Darfur.”
2017-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7860 (2017) · source
“Today I would like to touch chiefly on the most salient aspects ofthe report of the Secretary-General (8/2016/1109) that the Council has before it and the main events that have occurred since it was issued. First - with regard to the situation on the ground and since the announcement in September by the Government of the Sudan of its forces' victory in Jebel Marra, and therefore the end of the conflict in Darfur - in the last three months of 2016 the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) saw only two clashes between the Sudanese armed forces and the Sudan Liberation Army/ Abdul Wahid.”
2017-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7860 (2017) · source
“We will return, in due course, with our recommendations for the Security Council's consideration, while also working with MONUSCO to adjust its priorities and posture, within the existing mandate, so that it can provide the best support.”
2017-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7858 (2017) · source
“MONUSCO, for its part, will continue to work closely with the authorities to address the increasing threat posed by armed groups to the civilian population, through a combination of political and security initiatives, since many of the security issues in the east of the country can only be resolved through meaningful political engagement by authorities at all levels. MONUSCO will continue to support those efforts. We will engage with Council members, the Democratic Republic of the Congo Government and other key partners in the coming weeks to determine how the Mission should adjust to the prevailing political and security situation and how it can support the timely implementation of the 31 December agreement.”
2017-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7858 (2017) · source
“In conclusion, I would encourage Council members to continue calling on Congolese political actors to swiftly endorse and agree on implementation arrangements for the 31 December agreement, and to put in place a transitional Government of national unity. Failure to do so risks delaying the holding of elections and greatly increasing the risk ofrenewed political crisis and increased violence across the country. Needless to say, regional and international actors should maintain strong support for the implementation of the agreement and the holding of elections, as soon as feasible.”
2017-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7858 (2017) · source
“Efforts are under way to relocate refugee sites further away from the border. MONUSCO, acting in support of the Congolese national security forces, continues its efforts to counter the destabilizing activities of armed groups such as the ADP and the FDLR. Limited progress has been made in that regard, although much remains to be done to sustainably degrade the capacity of those groups. That will ultimately require long-term military engagement, combined with efforts by the national authorities to address issues linked to the longer-term stabilization of the country and the extension of State authority.”
2017-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7858 (2017) · source
“It is also driven by the mobilization, particularly in December, of militia groups, some of which have links to political actors in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in the diaspora. The spillover effects of the instabi1ity in neighbouring countries, notably South Sudan and Burundi, are already being felt in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a risk that they will continue to grow. There are now around 70,000 South Sudanese refugees who entered Haut-Uele and Ituri provinces over the past six months, resulting in significant humanitarian challenges. Continued reports of infiltration by elements of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition into refugee camps and elsewhere in the Democratic Republic of the Congo represent a major cause for concern.”
2017-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7858 (2017) · source
“It is important to encourage the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to initiate a full investigation into the events that led to the excessive use of force and loss of life, and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable. I will now turn to the security situation in the eastern part of the country, which remains very fragile. In addition to the threat posed by foreign armed groups, name1y the Allied Democratic Forces (ADP) and the Forces democratiques pour la liberation du Rwanda (FDLR), the activities of militia groups are on the rise in many parts of the country. That phenomenon is driven, in part, by the escalation of deep-rooted, long- standing conflicts among ethnic communities.”
2017-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7858 (2017) · source
“(spoke in English) Before I turn to the security situation, I wish to express my deep concern about reports of human rights violations and acts of violence in Kinshasa and other cities across the country on 19 and 20 December. As indicated in separate reports, the repression of demonstrations by national security forces and clashes between those forces and demonstrators resulted, allegedly, in the extrajudicial killing of at least 40 civilians and the death of two police officers - one killed by demonstrators and the other by a stray bullet. We know that some demonstrations turned violent, with demonstrators looting and destroying public property, resulting in at least 140 people injured and 683 people arrested by national security forces - 291 of whom have since been prosecuted or released.”
2017-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7858 (2017) · source
“Nevertheless, the signing of the agreement opens up new possibilities for a peaceful resolution to the political deadlock. We must therefore spare no effort in ensuring that all stakeholders commit to it and that it is implemented in good faith. The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and the Secretariat will remain active but discreet in their support for the Congolese political actors and will encourage them to continue to demonstrate their flexibility and ability to compromise. CENCO, which has made commendable efforts in that regard, will continue to enjoy our support in ensuring that all Congolese stakeholders adhere to the agreement, for barring that, its implementation would be difficult, and that could only have negative political and security consequences.”
2017-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7858 (2017) · source
“For its part, the presidential majority has itself sent mixed signals regarding its support for the agreement. It signed the agreement with reservations that have yet to be clarified, and then criticized the agreement, stating that the text was not inclusive enough - specifically because the MLC and the members of the opposition who are close to Prime Minister Badibanga had not yet signed it. I would also note that prospects for a December 2017 election have finally improved. Major political, financial, technical and logistical support will be needed. Delays in bringing the voter register up to date, in setting up a transition Government and in implementing the provisions of the 31 December agreement could negatively affect the current timetable. We must therefore do our best to prevent delays in the electoral process.”
2017-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7858 (2017) · source
“It has stated that it has been reluctant to sign on to the agreement because it believed that the Rassemblement would benefit disproportionately from the political transition arrangements, which currently propose to give the post of Prime Minister and head of the follow-up committee to representatives of the Rassemblement. In addition, members of the opposition, headed by the current Prime Minister, Mr. Samy Badibanga, are also showing some reluctance, maintaining that some of the provisions of the 31 December agreement, namely, those concerning the electoral process, are not realistic. Prime Minister Badibanga and his Government are clearly concerned about the political consequences for them if a new Government of national unity were to be put in place under the leadership of the Rassemblement.”
2017-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7858 (2017) · source
“The signing of this agreement represented a major contribution to improving the situation, which, let us be clear, could have erupted, because the political players who had rejected the political agreement of 18 October had maintained their position that the national and provincial institutions would, on the evening of 19 December, become illegitimate. It should also be pointed out that certain political players have not yet signed on to the agreement, such as the Mouvement de liberation du Congo (MLC), although it recently indicated its readiness to do so in the near future.”
2017-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7858 (2017) · source
“Mr. Ladsous: I wish to thank you, Mr. President, for this opportunity to update the Council on the political and security developments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since the issuance of the most recent report of the Secretary-General (S/2016/ll30). As the Council is aware, on 31 December, under the auspices of the National Episcopal Conference of the Congo (CENCO), a political agreement was signed between the signatories and non-signatories of the political agreement of 18 October. That signing took place at a critical juncture in the political life of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, when political tensions were growing and violent incidents had taken place in certain areas in the country following the expiration of the second and final mandate of President Joseph Kabila, on 19 December.”
2017-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7858 (2017) · source
“We must keep in mind that the success of UNMIL will be assessed not only on the basis of the impressive results achieved in just under 13 years, but also on the way UNMIL withdraws from Liberia and, maybe above all, on the perception that the Liberians will retain after its has left.”
2016-12-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7824 (2016) · source
“The people and the Government of Liberia must take forward the essential work of building a nation - a unified, reconciled nation with an accountable Government committed to addressing corruption within its ranks; a nation where all citizens share the benefits of Liberia's abundant natural resources; a nation fully responsible for its own destiny, with institutions and a Government that provide the basic guarantees of security, protection and services to its citizens. Clearly, we are now in the final stretch of the life cycle of UNMIL. Both the Liberians and their partners would stand to gain by ending this cycle as soon as possible so that Liberia can fully take upon itself the responsibilities of a sovereign State. But precisely because it is the final stretch, it must be handled with delicacy and prudence.”
2016-12-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7824 (2016) · source
“Throughout its history, Liberia has been a country that has demonstrated remarkable resilience and a great ability to overcome seemingly unsurmountable adversity. Liberians are a people who have endured - and are still enduring - the devastation wrought by more than a century of systemic exclusion, decades of dysfunction and 14 years of successive, brutal civil wars. Not so long ago, they were confronted with the national tragedy of Ebola for over a year. And yet, the country continues to transcend adversity. It must continue on its path of positive transformation.”
2016-12-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7824 (2016) · source
“The Council may also recall that part of that unit was deployed to the Central African Republic last year, where it provided remarkable and essential support during the visit of His Holiness the Pope, to Bangui, as well as in preparation of the country's presidential elections. The assessment team also heard the call made by members of Liberian civil society that we undertake serious introspection about our failures in Liberia with a view to moving forward on the basis of mutual accountability through the elaboration of a compact, as we have just done on an experimental basis in the Central African Republic. That compact would establish a framework of mutual accountability, which would strengthen the partnership and future engagement between the Government of Liberia and the United Nations.”
2016-12-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7824 (2016) · source
“Although we have full confidence in the ability of the national security services, we consider it essential that there remain some capacity to respond, in extremis, should there be a deterioration of stability that entails a strategic reversal. Therefore, for each of the three options outlined in the Secretary-General's special report, a crucial aspect of our contingency planning is the quick reaction force, which is presently in Yamoussoukro, Cote d'Ivoire. That unit will transfer to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali when the United Nations Operation in Cote d'Ivoire ends early next year. As the Council is aware, that unit has a mandate to provide over-the-horizon support for Liberia in support of the front-line response of the Liberian security and defence forces.”
2016-12-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7824 (2016) · source
“Those options are as follows: first, there is the option of withdrawing UNMIL and establishing a successor mission; secondly, there is the option of maintaining the status quo; and, thirdly, there is the option of continuing the drawdown of UNMIL. Irrespective of the Council's decision, it would, in our view, be important that Liberia remain on the Council's agenda through the establishment of the next Administration. We will engage closely with that Administration in developing recommendations on the future of the engagement of the United Nations in Liberia beyond June 2018. Over the next 18 months, it will be necessary to retain a mission that is able to provide strong good offices and political support, mentoring of the security and rule-of-law institutions, as well as human rights monitoring and capacity- building.”
2016-12-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7824 (2016) · source
“That decision was a remarkable demonstration of confidence that the country had overcome the instability and dependency of the past. It was no small challenge for a fragile country that was freshly emerging from the devastation of Ebola, which the Council recognized as a threat to international peace and stability. However, the Liberian institutions rose to that challenge and met the 30 June deadline for the security transition. After a careful assessment of the progress and remaining challenges, the Secretary-General's special report outlines three possible options regarding the future of UNMIL, taking into account the parameters provided by the Council, namely, the security situation in the country and Liberia's overall capacity to maintain stability.”
2016-12-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7824 (2016) · source
“Let us not forget that there is a major electoral process on the horizon, which will require considerable resources. All of those, and other, priorities must be taken forward in a very limited fiscal space. Eighty-seven per cent of the approximately $600 million national budget is earmarked for recurrent expenses. We know that the economic environment is one of complete austerity that features negligible growth projections. Since the Secretary-General's special report was published, the Government has instructed all ministries, agencies and other governmental bodies to save an additional 5 per cent from their approved budgets. Two years ago, the Council set a deadline for the full assumption of UNMIL's security responsibilities by national institutions.”
2016-12-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7824 (2016) · source
“The Government of Liberia has many priorities to address in the final year of the present Administration in order to ensure that it hands over to the next Administration a country that is truly on the path of transformation. There are manypolitical and institutional reforms that must be adopted and implemented. Security and defence institutions require continued development. Democratic oversight mechanisms must be established and equipped to effectively perform their roles. A human rights institution must be established with an expanded mandate, which requires that there be adequate capacities and resources in order for that institution to perform its mandate. Citizens continue to expect to receive the most basic services from their Government.”
2016-12-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7824 (2016) · source
“The Liberia National Police has increased its strength since the assessment was conducted. The Drug Enforcement Agency has conducted important operations in partnership with INTERPOL. The national police and immigration services are considering new legislation that, if implemented, will help consolidate professional law enforcement institutions with strong civilian oversight mechanisms to protect the public against any abuses. However, sustaining those gains that have been made will require continued and greater investment in the security sector, as well as commensurate improvements in the justice and corrections sectors.”
2016-12-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7824 (2016) · source
“In a nutshell, Liberia remains stable. Since the conclusion of the security transition in June, there have been no serious incidents that have warranted the intervention of UNMIL. Indeed, there have been no incidents that have justified an armed response from UNMIL in the entirety of 2016. The assessment team, led by my colleague Mr. El-Ghassim Wane, was particularly impressed by the commitment and determination of the national security personnel. Despite facing serious constraints with respect to finances, logistics and basic equipment, the women and men that make up the national security personnel demonstrated resolve in performing their sovereign responsibilities of protecting the population and securing the State. The security agencies have continuedto develop.”
2016-12-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7824 (2016) · source
“For instance, it adopted the Land Authority Act and ratified 32 Economic Community of West African States protocols and conventions, including on democracy and good governance. The legislature also considered constitutional amendments submitted by the President more than a year ago, as well as a package of legislation on land reform, economic and financial frameworks and counter-terrorism. I think that demonstrates the commitment of elected representatives to deliver results to their constituents. We look forward to seeing further concrete progress in advancing the legislative agenda. There was also some realignment among the political parties. In November, three major opposition parties formed the Coalition for Democratic Change in order to challenge the ruling Unity Party in the October elections next year.”
2016-12-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7824 (2016) · source
“There have been some promising developments on the political front since September, when we undertook the assessment that provided the basis for the report of the Secretary-General. At that time, an ongoing standoff within the House of Representatives had effectively stalled the legislative agenda, including reforms that were essential for sustaining peace. As it happened, however, on 5 October, the House of Representatives elected a new Speaker, who announced that he would focus on improving the relationships and coordination with Government so as to make progress on the development agenda. On 8 November, the legislature reconvened for a one-month extraordinary session, in the midst of its annual recess, in order to advance work on critical legislation.”
2016-12-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7824 (2016) · source
“That should lead to the inauguration of the next President in January 2018, which will mark a historic milestone for Liberia's democracy. Peaceful and successful elections and post-election leadership transition will be key to ensuring Liberia's stability. What happens next year, therefore, will be critical. It will demonstrate whether the foundations of peace that we have been building since the conflict ended 13 years ago are strong enough to be sustained. It is incumbent upon the people and the Government of Liberia, with support from their partners, to ensure that measures are put in place now to deliver free, fair, transparent and credible elections, the outcomes of which are accepted by all.”
2016-12-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7824 (2016) · source
“Mr. Ladsous: I thank you, Mr. President, for this opportunity to present to the Security Council the Secretary-General's special report on Liberia (S/20l6/968). I would like to begin by expressing my deep appreciation for the long-standing support that the Council has given Liberia, in particular through the deployment of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL). As members are aware, the strategic assessment of Liberia is the third and final such exercise we conducted in West Africa this year, which collectively have resulted in what I think is a reshaping of the peacekeeping footprint in the region. As the report indicates, the political environment in Liberia is dominated by preparations for the presidential and legislative elections scheduled for October 2017.”
2016-12-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7824 (2016) · source
“Once again, it demonstrates the generosity of the contributing countries, and that should be commended. Allow me to particularly thank your own country once again, Mr. President, for all that Senegal is doing to help us.”
2016-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7808 (2016) · source
“This is an opportunity for me to thank all the police-contributing countries because I know very well how in each country a permanent tension exists between its domestic security needs and the interest of ensuring that its national police acquire international experience and also contribute to the needs of the international community. I know to what extent that is very difficult for Ministries of the Interior, for the heads of national police forces and of gendarmeries. The figures show that. We have doubled the numbers of United Nations police force over the last seven or eight years. We now have 13, 500 police, and new pledges have been made in the framework of the United Nations Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System. All that shows that there is now a greater awareness of the importance of all that work.”
2016-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7808 (2016) · source
“In terms of new institutions, including in Bangui, we have set up a task force for the security of the capital, and this brings the military and the police closely together, and all that is being constantly fine-tuned. I think all that is really necessary. In part, all that is really the outcome of the impetus that was given by Senegal's resolution 2185 (2014) two years ago. I think that the Secretary-General's report that will be issued shortly will give a good illustration of the fact that the Council has given a major impetus to that, and it helps us out very much in all our work. I will conclude on an important point, which was illustrated during the United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit held last spring.”
2016-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7808 (2016) · source
“It is clear - and we are working with Member States on that - that we do take account of all the limits concerning, first of all, the need to be consistent with our mandate, not working outside our mandate. It is really for the needs of implementing the mandate. We work in a positive relationship with the host Government. We are prohibited from undertaking any James Bond-style or other such type of operations. Everything needs to be very much focused on the needs that we face. For all that, we need specific tools in terms of technology, that is, surveillance drones in many situations could really help us in our work. Then there are the observation balloons, with clusters of cameras and sensors. Those play a very critical role. They allow us to supervise the security in the capital of the Central African Republic, in Bangui.”
2016-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7808 (2016) · source
“I use all such opportunities to remind people of the major importance of capacity if we want to function correctly. Secondly, with regard to intelligence policy, I know that the terminology continues to lead to certain comments, but it is clear - and Mali was clearly an interesting case here - that we cannot act effectively if we are blind and deaf. Therefore, we need intelligence capacities in military terms; we need intelligence for policing and for civilian activities. Therefore, Mr. President, you know that we are implementing, we are trying to design a type of framework for what could be the intelligence policy of the United Nations.”
2016-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7808 (2016) · source
“And we focused to a much greater degree on policing while hoping that the time would come - as the Police Commissioner said - for integrated joint policing, provided for in the peace agreements, and full-on capacity-building. There is no one-size-fits-all model. Every situation has to be dealt with individually. I would like to address some of the other issues that were brought up. Clearly, language skills are a must. Wherever possible, we need to have more police who can interact with the local populations. That was one of the goals of the Conference on Peacekeeping in Francophone Environments, held in Paris three weeks ago. In two weeks, I will take part in the sixteenth Summit of the International Organization of La Francophonie, to be held in Madagascar.”
2016-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7808 (2016) · source
“Today, as the Haitian National Police has reached a greater level in terms of quantity and quality, priority has been placed on the very important area of training in terms of both of those elements. The police component of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, in its role of maintaining law and order, is much less needed and has become rather a backup force, composed of our troops and police units remaining in the country. The situation in South Sudan was the exact opposite. In 2011, the mandate accorded by the Security Council was one of capacity-building. The terrible deterioration of the situation there, which began in December 2013, meant that, because of the impossibility of cooperating with South Sudanese institutions that had blood on their hands, we had to put capacity-building activities on hold.”
2016-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7808 (2016) · source
“The corps is made up of people who are highly professional and whose conduct is beyond reproach. And I am truly grateful. I believe that the discussion has illustrated above all the fact that police activities, which form a part of peacekeeping operations, cannot serve as a universal model. At the core of the matter constant tensions arise from two constraints, which vary according to the context: on the one hand, the necessity to compensate for the inexistence or shortcomings ofa national police, and, on the other, to boost national capacities. And the situation changes from one moment to the next. Ten years ago in Haiti, the problem was the gangs of Cite de Soleil. The priority was therefore an intervention on the ground to neutralize the members of those gangs.”
2016-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7808 (2016) · source