YouSaid · the spoken record

Lieutenant General Tesfamariam

lines on the record
18
first
2015-06-17
most recent
2015-06-17
sittings or episodes
1
sources
un-security-council

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  1. “This is in addition to the impact of operations. Finally, in UNMISS, until recently we had the original mandate, and now we have a revised mandate. It is a shift that takes into consideration the realities on the ground and existing challenges. We have realigned ourselves with the support of Headquarters; that is why I am happy with the support and attention we receive, as well as its frequency. We have realigned ourselves decisively. We have completed the process ofrealigning ourselves with the new mandate and the new tasks; the Mission is trying to do its level best to adapt to the situation.”

    2015-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7464 (2015) · source

  2. “It is also a time-sensitive engagement. So with respect to the skill and knowledge of how to be proactive and how to take the initiative, always keeping in mind that the reason why we are there is to save civilians, I am not sure if this is fully included in our training systems, including before deployment. So there are a few problems in this regard. With respect to my views on the issue of caveats, let me say that caveats exist, although some troop-contributing countries say that they do not have them. This shows that there are differences. A force is there for one mandate, one task, one vision, one area of operations. Division within a uniformed force is not good; it affects performance. In my understanding, addressing the concerns expressed is the solution, because we need a force that is not divided.”

    2015-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7464 (2015) · source

  3. “I am happy to hear that it is a dual mission, defending yourself and defending civilians at the same time when it comes to the protection of civilians, because the nature of the conflict is not that predictable. When it threatens you and threatens civilians, it is not easy to predict. So it requires, I believe, knowledge, training and preparation, taking into consideration the particularities of the protection-of-civilians mandate and tasks. What is required is a force with a particular quality of commitment, one that is knowledgeable on how to be proactive and that more or less understands what to do in whatever the circumstances might be, because not everything can be controlled; not everything can be dealt with by saying, "Do this, do not do that". Tactical commanders are enablers themselves; so are are operational commanders.”

    2015-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7464 (2015) · source

  4. “However, the protection of civilians is about serving and defending civilians. They should be our focus. I feel that there is a gap in terms of knowledge, preparation and skills. Within the forces, we are not yet aware of the particularity of protecting civilians and what makes it different from the general knowledge of peacekeeping on the part of the soldier on the ground and the commander at the operational level. It is about civilians, about people and about going into the middle of the conflict. Obviously, there will be risks. I do not think that troops are adequately trained to know about the risks and that there is a solution to those risks. It is notjust about risk, but paying the price for that risk and ensuring a solution.”

    2015-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7464 (2015) · source

  5. “What the civilian IDPs said in Malakal was that their priority was not positive peace, their priority was negative peace - to silence the guns under all circumstances. The other issue concerns the limitations, in particular the force-multiplier capabilities. In addition to the status of forces agreement and the restrictions, I know from Headquarters that serious efforts have been made to engage the parties, but still we have a serious gap in capabilities. We depend too much on infantry. Aviation capabilities to control the security situation within our area of responsibility are still seriously lacking in UNMISS. Another issue is the training gap. I tried to indicate that the technical and tactical training was there. I am happy with the commitment of the forces. I am happy with the technical and tactical skills.”

    2015-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7464 (2015) · source

  6. “That issue is causing a serious challenge to the Mission, including through the violations; restrictions on our patrols; our spending unnecessary time dealing with checkpoints; and the detainment of our contingent- owned equipment, sometimes for close to two months; and the difficulties of movement on the ground and by air. [want to be more clear: out of all the major challenges in South Sudan, the critical challenge is that the guns are not yet silent, and civilians are paying the price for that. We are doing our level best at the Mission through communication and physical deployment, but because of the lack of respect for the ceasefire agreement, we face significant challenges.”

    2015-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7464 (2015) · source

  7. “That kind of situation is still a dilemma, even to the Mission, and has affected our priorities. Our resources are obviously limited, compared with the reality on the ground. The 4.6 million people in need of humanitarian assistance are also in need of protection. The issues of humanitarian assistance, life-saving assistance and the protection of civilians exist at the same time in South Sudan. There is also a geography issue and an infrastructure issue. In addition, we have the status of forces agreement issues. The option we have is to maximize the resources in hand for the Mission with regard to the status of forces agreement issue.”

    2015-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7464 (2015) · source

  8. “The singular message of the IDPs to the members of the Security Council was very clear. They requested the Council to help them by silencing the guns. I consider that very challenging. It is a challenge to the Mission, to the civilians, to the mandate and to us. It is really worrying, and it is the cause behind our IDP sites and protection sites, which are still increasing in number gradually. I believe we have the right approach with regard to the protection of civilians. Given the reality in South Sudan, our approach is to be more proactive and to try to reach the civilians and not wait for them to come seeking assistance or protection. On the other hand, we have the IDP issue and we have civilians waiting for protection from physical threats and for humanitarian assistance.”

    2015-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7464 (2015) · source

  9. “Lieutenant General Tesfamariam: The first question I will address concerns the major challenge that the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is facing. We face major challenges in addition to the presence of internally displaced persons (IDPs), which is not common in United Nations peacekeeping history. We have a shortage of resources. As I tried to indicate, we have what I consider a United Nations mindset issue within the existing manpower, but more than that, the most critical issue is the continual fighting in South Sudan since December 2013. Because of that we have continual displacement and civilians are suffering. It is a serious challenge for the Mission. I remember the Council's visit to South Sudan and its visit to the IDP site in Malakal.”

    2015-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7464 (2015) · source

  10. “Finally, successfully protecting civilians requires innovative leadership that translates into effective actions on the ground. The Security Council plays a key role in holding accountable those who harm civilians or directly obstruct our efforts to protect them.”

    2015-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7464 (2015) · source

  11. “The limitations that we face in that respect, particularly the absence of critical enablers such as close air support, adequate logistics, intelligence, reconnaissance and responsive casualty and medical evacuation capabilities, negatively affect our early warning and daily operations. In conclusion, I should underline that the protection of civilians is a responsibility shared among key actors, including the international community and the host authorities. Success at the operational level depends upon well-trained and well-equipped troops who have the right mindset for deterring potential aggressors and reducing levels of violence. Passive forces invite aggression and manipulation, leading to increased risks for all.”

    2015-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7464 (2015) · source

  12. “It is based on the understanding that those responsible for such protection are willing to take proactive measures and to put themselves between the threat and the civilians when required. Although an armoured unit may be technically capable ofa military or police engagement, that technical capacity alone is not sufficient to protect civilians. I believe that willingness is a peacekeeping operation's greatest protection asset. Lastly, the protection of civilians requires significant logistical, financial and human resources that fit the mandate, expectations and realities on the ground.”

    2015-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7464 (2015) · source

  13. “From a military standpoint, command and control is absolutely critical. The operational-level protection-of-civilians strategy must be delivered at the tactical level in contexts where days, and even weeks, can pass without direct contact between commanders and their subordinates. As peacekeepers in the field, the strategy is necessarily decentralized: the unit commanding officers have considerable freedom of action. As such, they are a key force enabler and a critical link in the protection-of-civilians chain. It is therefore essential that there be trust within the chain of command, as well as confidence that commanders' orders and intent are understood and will be implemented without fail. The protection of civilians also presupposes a steadfast commitment to the safety and security of the people in one's area of operations.”

    2015-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7464 (2015) · source

  14. “Since armed conflict broke out in December 2013, these sites have grown and continue to grow. There are now over 136,000 IDPs sheltering at seven protection-off-civilians sites. For many who have had no other choice than to seek protection, as well as for those who see them as access points for service delivery, the sites now provide a more convenient and secure place in which to live. We must assess the sustainability of this arrangement. Without a viable peace throughout the country, we must genuinely assess how long the Mission can, and should, provide protection to those currently inhabiting the sites. Beyond those challenges, the successful implementation of the Mission's protection-of-civilians mandate requires effective command and control, steadfast commitment from the troops and sufficient resources.”

    2015-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7464 (2015) · source

  15. “Protecting civilians is not just about providing a secure static location, nor is it about demonstrating a static presence. Rather, our focus is on enabling the movement of civilians and proactively protecting them in their areas of origin, securing their traditional movements and enabling them to go about their livelihoods. The Mission has been projecting its presence outside its bases, conducting robust short- and long-duration patrols to deter violence against civilians, and proactively engaging vulnerable communities through the establishment of forward operating bases in Malakal, with plans to establish similar facilities in Bentiu and Bor, since the pull factor of our static protection sites cannot be ignored. Some IDPs are encouraged to stay at the protection sites for an extended period of time because of the services provided.”

    2015-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7464 (2015) · source

  16. “Secondly, as we saw last month in Upper Nile state, UNMISS protection-of-civilians sites have increasingly been caught up in the crossfire. During the fighting in Melut on 19 May, the Mission base was hit by more than 20 artillery shells and stray bullets. Nine internally displaced persons (IDPs) were killed and 11 wounded. UNMISS has been engaging the leadership on all sides, urging them to cease combat operations and respect the inviolability of United Nations premises. UNMISS troops have also been taking reinforcement and surge measures to protect civilians seeking shelter and have been allowing for the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Thirdly, we face the challenge to the Mission's efforts to protect vulnerable people, regardless of their location.”

    2015-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7464 (2015) · source

  17. “In a situation of ongoing conflict such as that in South Sudan, where the parties and allied forces pay little heed to the laws of war, peacekeepers struggle to implement their protection-of-civilians mandate. The challenges facing UNMISS are numerous. First, restrictions imposed by the parties on access and the freedom of movement fundamentally hamper even our most basic efforts to protect civilians. Both sides continue to violate the status of forces agreement, while obstructing or delaying the movement of contingent-owned equipment and demanding illegal access. Furthermore, those bearing the primary responsibility for protecting civilians are themselves perceived as constituting threats to the safety of civilians.”

    2015-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7464 (2015) · source

  18. “Lieutenant General Tesfamariam: I am honoured to be here today to discuss the protection of civilians in South Sudan, the primary task entrusted to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Let me start by expressing my deep appreciation to the Mission's personnel, who, under the able leadership of Ms. Ellen Margrethe Laj, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for South Sudan and Head of UNMISS, continue to work courageously to protect tens of thousands of civilians under the threat of physical violence, safeguard human rights and facilitate the work of the humanitarian community in delivering assistance to the millions of South Sudanese in need. I particularly thank the troop- and police-contributing countries that have provided much-needed uniformed personnel and assets.”

    2015-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7464 (2015) · source