YouSaid · the spoken record

Lutundula Apala Pen’apala

lines on the record: 111
first: 2022-05-31
most recent: 2023-09-28
sittings or episodes: 3
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

“That is extremely dangerous and compromises any possibility of establishing good-neighbourly relations and cooperation between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. I appeal to our external partners in the international community not to fall into the trap of endorsing such interference, directly or indirectly. We only have to imagine, in Africa, a continent fragmented by colonization, what would happen if every State granted itself the right to intervene in another’s territory on the grounds that part of its community was under threat. In Africa there would be no end to that, because all our countries have cross-border populations — and that is extremely significant.”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“The fate of the so- called Rwandophone Congolese will never be played out anywhere in Africa or the world other than in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, of which they are nationals. It is therefore a pretence and an act of instrumentalization by our compatriots to position themselves as defenders of their own interests by attacking the country in which they claim nationality. The interference of Rwandan leaders in the internal affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo will not solve any Congolese problems. On the contrary, it fuels intercommunal tensions in North Kivu and weakens national unity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, especially by giving some Congolese the impression that there are people who are being used by foreign countries against their fellow citizens.”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“The Congolese people are not against the Rwandan people, a brother people with whom they are destined to live for eternity. However, they will always rebel against belligerent and hegemonic leaders who attempt to turn the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo into a zone of influence and free exploitation whose natural resources they can plunder as they please. The Congolese will fight with all their might against that race of leaders, wherever they come from, who are enemies of prosperity, of the influence of their country and of peace and brotherly coexistence between the peoples of the Great Lakes region. The responsibility for solving the problems of Congolese citizens, regardless of the community to which they belong, comes under the purview of Congolese institutions alone.”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“Before I conclude, now is the time to renew the Security Council’s appeal to bilateral and multilateral donors to honour their commitments regarding financing the Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization Programme, whose implementation is essential for the social reintegration of former combatants of armed groups. I will not touch on what happened in Nairobi any further, as that has already been discussed. In conclusion, on behalf of the Head of State and the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, I want in all solemnity to ease the international community’s concerns regarding the previously mentioned hate speech against the Rwandophones who are supposedly threatened in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“If, in the draft resolution that it adopts at the end of its deliberations, it could be agreed by the Security Council to carry out the reconditioning of MONUSCO and to lift the useless and unjustified obligation to notify the purchase of war materiel, which unjustly affects the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we will have every reason to believe that the United Nations has a genuine desire to put an end to the security crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo once and for all and to contribute to peace and stability in the Great Lakes region. There will no longer be any reason to reproach the United Nations. What is needed is a resolution aimed at reducing tensions rather than scoring points.”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“Sixth, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is neither a manufacturer nor an importer of nuclear, chemical or other weapons of mass destruction to justify it being placed under close surveillance by the United Nations. Seventh, and this is important, mechanisms have been created at the regional level in the context of the Nairobi and Luanda processes and are already operational. There is the ad hoc verification mechanism with the Angolans, and there is the East African Community regional force to neutralize all armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. If the Security Council believes that the current notification system does not prevent the Democratic Republic of the Congo from equipping and reorganizing itself, then why maintain it? What is its purpose? We are talking about sanctions. Why are we being sanctioned?”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“Subjecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the notification obligation weakens it to the advantage of its enemies, which are not subjected to such a constraint and can buy weapons and give them to insurgents to fight us. But we cannot equip ourselves. That also exposes our country to another danger. All States hold defence secrets. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has no defence secrets because it is in the public arena and has to declare even a machete. Fifth, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is at war. To hinder, even through suppliers, the strengthening of its army, particularly with efficient war materiel, is to weaken it and to deliver it to its enemies.”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“Third, the renewal of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s military leadership is under way. Those who follow the situation know that President Tshisekedi Tshilombo has begun the changes in the military leadership in our country. It is not fair to attribute to the new heads of the FARDC the defects and faults of their predecessors, who are accused of collaborating with armed groups. Fourth, the evidence of the investigative reports by United Nations expert groups and other independent national and international sources established that armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are supplied with troops, and even sophisticated weapons that MONUSCO itself does not have, by neighbouring countries.”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“Not long ago, as Minister for Foreign Affairs, I was informed of claims that there were carriers and bankers who did not want to deal with us because of the mess that the United Nations had thrown at our country. Second, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a post-conflict country, which must reorganize its army, police and security services. What is happening in the Kivus will end only once we have completed the reorganization of our army. Moreover, as the Council knows, the Democratic Republic of the Congo faces negative forces of Islamist terrorism. It cannot succeed in that reorganization or eradicate terrorism without having the freedom and the ability to provide its defence and security forces with efficient equipment to carry out their sovereign tasks. In its place, what State would do otherwise?”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“First, the sanctions regime was established in 2004, when the Democratic Republic of the Congo was still divided into three entities led by three Governments, two of which were insurgent. That regime has not been justified since the 2006 elections, as the country was unified and resumed the life of a normal State, led by a single national Government, elected by the entire Congolese people and recognized by the international community. It is no longer understandable that the Security Council continues to treat the Congolese Government as that of a rebel and terrorist group. Contrary to what the Council thinks, that restriction impeded the worthiness and credibility of my Government internationally, and that is not a figment of the imagination.”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“With regard to the obligation to notify the Sanctions Committee of the acquisition and supply of certain types of arms and ammunition to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, following the address by our Head of State at the rostrum of the General Assembly at its seventy-seventh session (see A/77/PV.5), the Government reiterates its request to the Security Council, through the Chair of the Sanctions Committee, to lift that unjustified obligation, which is humiliating for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and which is unfortunately perceived by the Congolese people and their leaders as a strategy to weaken their country and expose it to the mercy of its enemies for the following reasons.”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“In that regard, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is already pleased to note that the commanders of the FARDC, MONUSCO — I reiterate, MONUSCO — and the regional force already met in Goma from 28 to 30 November to coordinate and see how they will work together to establish peace. That must be encouraged.”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“We will do it with MONUSCO and the United Nations, and we will draw conclusions together to meet the expectations of the Congolese people. It goes without saying that such strengthening of MONUSCO’s mandate, for which the Democratic Republic of the Congo calls, will involve an increase in its resources and combat equipment and the entry of the Intervention Brigade into joint military operations with the FARDC and the regional force, as in 2013 — this is not the first time — of course in consultation with the troop-contributing countries, as well as a better coordination of actions with the FARDC and the East African regional force.”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“It has begun, and it has been agreed with target areas — areas of withdrawal and continuity areas — and, once again, under what mandate. As the President of the Republic, Mr. Félix- Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, and Ms. Bintou Keita also said, that withdrawal cannot take place before holding the upcoming general elections in the Congo. With regard to the elections, I do not have any more details. Ms. Keita fully briefed us. The process is under way. There is nothing that will stop the process. We will proceed. I am happy to hear Council members say that they support the evaluation, but it is important to end up with a positive review. On behalf of President Tshisekedi Tshilombo and the Government, I reaffirm and reiterate that we will not carry out the review alone.”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“Council members will see from the timeline that, if MONUSCO had become significant in the Congo, the Heads of State would not have called for its support. However, contrary to what can be said, strengthening MONUSCO can in no way hinder or slow down the gradual and responsible withdrawal programme established by resolution 2556 (2020), which is already under way in Katanga and Kasai, as Ms. Keita said, and which, in the opinion of the Government of my country, can realistically be brought back to another time frame that is a little closer than 2024 — we thought about the end of 2023. I stress that it is a time frame and a continuation. We must not give the impression that we are stopping with the withdrawal.”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“In addition, when it is said that MONUSCO’s mission is to provide security for the civilian population, further confusion is sown. Ensuring the security of the civilian population means countering a danger, be it a bodily threat to people or a threat to property; but how can the security of the civilian population be ensured if a mission cannot respond to an attack against that population? That is the fundamental question. Incidentally, it is in terms of strengthening the MONUSCO mandate to which the Democratic Republic of the Congo barely meets the expectations of the Heads of State signatories of the final communiqué of the Luanda summit, which called on MONUSCO to support the regional force and the FARDC to ensure the implementation of the planned timetable.”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“Is MONUSCO a peacekeeping force, or is it a peacemaking force, or is it both? This clarification will allow expectations of MONUSCO to be reconfigured, permitting its scope of action to be better circumscribed and avoiding misunderstandings and intentions in relation to a shift in MONUSCO’s mandate towards a sort of special political mission, which could be perceived as a desire to set the Mission up as a pole of governance parallel to the Government of the Republic. That would be counterproductive. It is clear that the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s preference is to see MONUSCO, alongside the FARDC and the East African Community regional force, imposing peace, because peacekeeping presupposes that peace has been restored, which is not yet the case in the eastern part of the country.”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“Doing anything else would condemn this important United Nations peace operation to failure. It is clear that either way what we have experienced is serious and has shaken us. However, as I have said to Ms. Keita, and as the Head of State and the Prime Minister have also told her, we must calmly, responsibly and dispassionately think about, find appropriate solutions to and straighten out the situation of MONUSCO and the image of the United Nations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, so that we can all work together. In sum, the Democratic Republic of the Congo expects today’s meeting to clarify the Security Council’s mandate for MONUSCO in the current context. There is a kind of unspoken ambiguity in the MONUSCO mandate that creates confusion and might in fact aggravate frustrations.”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“In any case, in order to succeed in its mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, MONUSCO or any other United Nations or even African Union institution needs the support of the Congolese people themselves, and we have been working in this direction. Secondly, we must also take into account the courageous and sincere admission of the Secretary- General, the highest political and administrative authority of the United Nations, as to MONUSCO’s inability to neutralize the M-23 terrorist movement, which is more armed than the Mission itself. We must also take his call for strengthening MONUSCO’s resources into account. Whatever the modality, utility — if not necessity — or importance of MONUSCO’s role, it must be recognized that the Mission has weaknesses that must be addressed so as to make it more effective and useful.”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“In this regard, on behalf of the President of the Republic and the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, I would like to reiterate that there is and can be no crisis in our relationship with the United Nations, nor is there any desire for a break between my country and the Organization. On the contrary, our shared concern is to improve our collaboration and the credibility of the United Nations in the region in the delicate management of this complex crisis. Moreover, it would not be appropriate for the Council’s attitude at this meeting to be misinterpreted as contempt or defiance of the Congolese people, which would do no one any good.”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“Let me state to its members today with regard to MONUSCO that the Security Council would do well to take t the following into account in its deliberations: first, the Congolese people strongly believe, rightly and in view of the results on the ground, that, overall, in the 26 years of United Nations involvement in the country, initially by the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which later became MONUSCO, the United Nations has not met the expectations of the Congolese people or even of the international community, and the continuation of its mode of operations is no longer justified and does not promise any results.”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“The major challenge at today’s meeting of the Security Council lies therefore in its ability to provide adequate and effective responses to these two fundamental requirements if it really wants to put an end to the activities of terrorist groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and restore lasting peace in the Great Lakes Region.”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“Furthermore, the M-23’s unmanageable and criminal behaviour, sustained single-handedly by the Rwandan authorities, clearly demonstrates that the challenge to be met today is to execute the actions on the ground recommended by the international community to solve the crisis and impose peace on the armed groups in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I emphasize that peace must be imposed. To that end, it is an imperative for the Government of my country that MONUSCO be reformed and that all obstacles to strengthening the capacities of the FARDC be removed.”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“There must be sanctions, which is why the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is requesting the Council not only to strongly condemn this heinous crime, of course, but also to order an independent international investigation to establish responsibility and severely punish its perpetrators and masterminds. That said, for its part, under circumstances such as these, the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo always assumes its responsibilities. Moreover, I wish to hereby inform the Council that the Congolese justice system has already been seized to coldly and objectively uphold the victims’ rights.”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“Moreover, as if to defy these international bodies — every member of the Council has expressed regret about this — the M-23 did not tarry in violating the final communiqué of the Luanda summit only five days after it was issued by committing a serious crime on November 28 and 29, in the form of a massacre of approximately 200 people, including children, in Kishishe and Bambo, in the territory under its control in Rutshuru. In the face of a tragedy that is a crime against humanity, the Security Council should not remain indifferent. It is not enough to denounce it.”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“Those guarantees consist of the political and diplomatic involvement of the United Nations, the AU and the EAC and, on the military and security front, of the intervention of the East African regional force, alongside the FARDC, with the support of MONUSCO, in order to force the M-23 and the other armed groups that refuse to comply with the demands of the international community to lay down their arms and take up the offer of peace made by their respective Heads of State. However, despite these guarantees, which are not yet operational, the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains sceptical that Rwanda and its protégé, the M-23, which has always arrogantly and contemptuously rejected the decisions and recommendations of international bodies, will respect them this time.”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, met in Luanda on 23 November for a mini- summit, with the participation of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Rwanda, representing its Head of State, Mr. Paul Kagame, and of the former President of Kenya, His Excellency Mr. Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, EAC mediator. At the end of the mini-summit, those Heads of State signed, on behalf of the African Union (AU) and the EAC, a final communiqué containing the timetable for the implementation of the various actions agreed upon by the stakeholders of the Nairobi and Luanda processes, together with guarantees for their successful completion. That is very important.”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“Those elements together can be considered as a plan for the return of peace to Congo and the region — a plan reached consensually by the international community. The elements of the solution must now all be implemented. In order to materialize this peace plan, which enjoys international consensus, the Head of State of Angola, His Excellency Mr. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, the facilitator appointed by the African Union to maintain the dialogue between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda; the Head of State of Burundi, His Excellency Mr. Evariste Ndayishimiye, current President of the East African Community (EAC); and the Head of State of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, His Excellency Mr.”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“The elements of such a solution are, first, respect for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; second, condemnation of the activities of armed groups, in general, and of the Movement du 23 mars (M-23), in particular, operating in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo; third, the demand for the immediate and unconditional cessation of those activities, and especially of the M-23’s attacks against the positions of the Forces armées de la République démocratique du Congo (FARDC) and the troops of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); fourth, the withdrawal of the M-23 from the occupied areas without delay or conditions; fifth, the return of war-displaced persons to their homes; sixth, the cessation of all support to armed groups operating in the eastern the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including the M-23; seventh, support for the Nairobi and Luanda processes; eighth, the organization of internal political dialogues by the Heads of State of the region with the armed groups in their respective countries with a view to their return to the fold; ninth, the implementation of the National Programme for Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Reinsertion and Stabilization with a view to ensuring the social reintegration of former combatants of armed groups; and tenth, the settlement of disputes among the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and Rwanda through dialogue, with a view to normalizing their relations and creating a climate favourable to regional cooperation.”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“Previously, the East African Community had taken up the issue and had launched a peace-restoration process called the Nairobi peace process, supported not only by the African Union, particularly through its Peace and Security Council, but also by the Southern African Development Community and bilateral and multilateral international partners. In the positions taken by all those international actors, there is, if not unanimity, at least a very broad consensus on the approach and the elements of a sustainable solution to the security crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes region.”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“On 31 May of this year, which is now drawing to a close, I had the privilege of addressing this organ, the highest decision-making organ of the United Nations for matters of global peace and security, on this painful situation, its harmful consequences on the stability and development of both the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes region, as well as on possible solutions (see S/PV.9051). At the end of the Council’s deliberations, on 3 June, the presidency of the Council issued on an important statement expressing the Council’s position and recommendations to put an end to crisis (S/PRST/2022/4).”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“That attests to the importance the Council attaches to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the interest States place on resolving the crisis that has been ravaging my country for some 23 years. This is a unique situation. I also wish to thank the Council for once again giving me the opportunity to take stock today of the almost-chronic security crisis that has continued to ravage the east of my country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and to kill its people for 23 years.”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“Mr. Lutundula Apala Pen’apala (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (spoke in French): I would first like to say that I would have preferred to be the last speaker so that I could address the concerns of all the other speakers on a debate that concerns my country and my country alone, for the large part. That was not an option for me as you have sequenced the briefers, Madam President. However, I would like to be able to clarify certain points and contribute to the discussion, if need be. At the outset, on behalf of the Head of State and the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, I would like to thank the Security Council for its warm welcome expressed through the statements I heard today.”
2022-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9215 (2022) · source
“We talked about women — we have seen them in their tens of thousands — children and the elderly, who packed the Rutshuru and Rumagabo roads, fleeing death, carrying kilos of heavy loads on their heads. Let the Security Council shoulder its responsibility.”
2022-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9051 (2022) · source
“When we talk about condemnation, I know that that is diplomatically correct, but condemnation at this level, how many times have we heard that? Those who believe in condemnation are those who have morals, those who have faith in reason, those who have humanity and those who believe in the United Nations. I affirm that the Democratic Republic of the Congo believes in the United Nations. We, the people of the Democratic Republic, say that we have confidence in the United Nations and its leaders. That is why we remain at your service, Madam President. We remain at the service of the African Union and subregional organizations so that, together, we can push for a solution for peace as soon as possible in order to put an end to the suffering.”
2022-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9051 (2022) · source
“But let us understand each other as to what kind of dialogue we are talking about. One knows that dialogue is like a tango. It is not danced alone; one always needs a partner. One cannot have a dialogue with oneself unless one is mad, and I do not think that in our country there are people who excel in monologues. In plain language, that means political will. Let the Security Council encourage and help the partners to dialogue to bring about that will, and let it be a frank and constructive dialogue. Otherwise, there is no point. The Council also talked about sanctions and combating impunity. We have to do that, but the Council knows that when we talk about sanctions, and we know that the mapping report is in the archives, who is going to believe in that?”
2022-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9051 (2022) · source
“In that context, the Democratic Republic would like to thank the international community, the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union, SADC, ICGLR, the Economic Community of Central African States, the East African Community and our partners, which issued statements of support on the day that the Programme was launched. The World Bank and donors supported that Programme, whose implementation should start without delay. Lastly, the Democratic Republic of the Congo asks the Security Council to actively be involved to a greater extent in facilitating a frank dialogue with Rwanda so as to allow the return of peace and security in the Great Lakes region. On this issue of the dialogue, allow me to say a few words. Indeed, we should have a dialogue. The Democratic Republic of the Congo and its leaders are open to dialogue.”
2022-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9051 (2022) · source
“However, it is unacceptable, in any event, for a Government and a responsible Head of State that one single square metre of the national territory be occupied by rebels or an armed group, impeding the country’s citizens from going about their business and preventing the Government from implementing the national development programme. In that context, I would like us to understand each other that there must be reports by the verification mechanism, but, at the same time, we need to return to a situation of democratic normalcy in the country. Fifthly, the Council should support the implementation of the Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization Programme, which was developed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2022-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9051 (2022) · source
“Fourthly, the Council should — and it has already done so in the past, 10 years ago — demand that the M-23 lay down their weapons and withdraw immediately and unconditionally from all occupied areas. In that regard, allow me to make a comment. The Council talked about the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism, which should do its work. I agree with the Council, but that cannot impede the fact that the M-23’s activities should cease and that the M-23 should leave the areas that it occupied with the support of those known to the Council. They are two separate things. The mechanism is called on to do its work. It is doing its work.”
2022-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9051 (2022) · source
“First, the Security Council should actively support the Nairobi peace process, initiated by President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and Chairperson of the East African Community. Secondly, it should call on all the countries of the Great Lakes subregion, in particular the signatories to the April communiqué containing the Nairobi peace plan, to become positively involved in its implementation and to abstain from anything that may impede it. Thirdly, the Security Council should condemn, as it did in 2013, the activities of the M-23, the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda, the Allied Democratic Forces/National Army for the Liberation of Uganda, the CODECO and all armed groups in the Great Lakes subregion and condemn any outside support to them.”
2022-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9051 (2022) · source
“My goal and that of the Head of State and Government, who sent me to the Council in my post, is simply to give an objective picture of the progress made in my country on the path to peace, but also to calmly acquaint the Council with the sad reality that hinders that path towards peace. I call on the Security Council regarding the threat posed by armed groups to peace and security in the Great Lakes subregion and, on behalf of the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, I ask the Council to shoulder its responsibilities in terms of maintaining international peace and security in the world and to act rapidly and effectively before it is too late. In order to do that, the Democratic Republic of the Congo calls on the Security Council to do the following.”
2022-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9051 (2022) · source
“We have been experiencing this crisis for more than 28 years. There is no longer going to be shuffling. It will no longer be a question of giving political positions without going through the democratic process. I can also affirm that the Head of State, the national Parliament, the Government of the Republic and all the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are, and will remain, resolute and committed to upholding the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country. What is happening today is very serious. What is happening is contrary to the Charter of the United Nations, the Constitutive Act of the African Union and international law. Our community, the Security Council, must address it very seriously. I said that I did not come to the Security Council today as a prosecutor.”
2022-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9051 (2022) · source
“Frankly, as far as we are concerned, the approach taken by the M-23 and other separatist forces is aimed only at keeping the Democratic Republic of the Congo in a state of instability and undermining the efforts of the East African Community and the implementation of the Nairobi process. The motive behind that approach is that it is necessary to find M-23 its own negotiating space that would lead us to the old pattern of mixing, integration and shuffling of seats in Government in the provinces. Allow me to tell the Security Council that that will no longer be the case in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. President Tshisekedi Tshilombo, the national Parliament, the national Government and all the people of the Democratic Republic no longer want the patterns that have been applied for 28 years.”
2022-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9051 (2022) · source
“Why is it only now — as the Nairobi process is spreading its wings and the Congolese people are preparing to welcome Pope Francis, whose long-awaited visit includes stops in Goma and Kibumba — that the M-23 is re-emerging, creating insecurity, terror and despair in North Kivu? Why is it that every time the M-23 comes up, it seems as though our brothers and traditional friends in Rwanda, with whom we share culture and blood through our common communities and tribes, are hatching something? The hen hides the chick, as the old proverb says. The answers to those questions are up to each of us.”
2022-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9051 (2022) · source
“I assure the Council that I will not be making any demands here. However, I feel compelled to ask some questions, questions that I am asked every time that I meet with foreign or even national dignitaries. They ask me: Why is the M-23 is back? Who is supplying it with arms? Where does it get its heavy weapons and experienced fighters, who are attacking not just the Forces armées de la République démocratique du Congo (FARDC), but also United Nations personnel, as if in defiance of the international community? What are these negative forces, who operate like terrorist groups, seeking?”
2022-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9051 (2022) · source
“I am grateful that the Council is paying special attention to the situation in my country, and it is certainly a positive thing that all members have condemned the M-23, as well as the migratory movements and internal displacements. All the members have asked for sanctions, for which I am also grateful. I would like to reiterate that I did not come here as a prosecutor or to stir things up by adding fuel to the fire. I came simply because the Security Council is the world’s most important forum for peace. The founders of the United Nations did not meet in San Francisco in 1945 with the intention of creating an organization that would spread despair around the world. They established the United Nations to work for peace and security for humankind, to foster solidarity and ensure progress for the peoples of the world.”
2022-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9051 (2022) · source
“The Nairobi process is in fact the political and security pillar at the national and regional level that was previously missing from the Government’s stabilization and reconstruction plan for the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. I listened carefully to all the speakers in today’s meeting, and I acknowledge the unanimous support I have heard for the Nairobi process. Unfortunately, however, as members themselves said and as Ms. Pobee described objectively and exhaustively, there are certain armed groups that have rejected the Nairobi process and its principles and methodology. They are the Coopérative pour le développement du Congo (CODECO), Zaire, Yakutumba and the Mouvement du 23 mars (M-23). I will not describe them in detail, as I know that Council members have been closely following the situation.”
2022-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9051 (2022) · source
“The consultations are being conducted in partnership with the Demobilization, Disarmament, Community Recovery and Stabilization programme and will also rely on the expertise of Congolese grass-roots organizations that have been working for years towards peacebuilding and easing intercommunal tensions, which have not been actively supported by the central Government until now. The Government’s aim is to draw up a consolidated provincial, national and regional action plan by the end of July in order to provide political and institutional support to the Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization programme and implement it over the next two years.”
2022-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9051 (2022) · source
“Huang Xia, Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, for their active support in those consultations. I should also emphasize that the political consultations are not negotiations with the armed groups. They are being held to support the Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization programme in line with its fundamental principles and in support of the transitional justice strategy for addressing the crimes committed by armed groups against their communities. Over the next few weeks, the consultations will be expanded to include civil society and especially women’s organizations, which have not yet been able to participate.”
2022-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9051 (2022) · source
“So far, considerable progress has been made on the political track, with a first round of consultations held in Nairobi from 23 to 27 April. Delegates from 23 local armed groups met with a team from the Joint Secretariat of Kenya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo within the framework of the Nairobi process. Between 17 and 24 May, the Joint Secretariat also visited three provinces in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, meeting with a total of 56 other armed groups and representatives of more than 40 communities in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu. Here I would particularly like to thank Ms. Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as Mr.”
2022-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9051 (2022) · source