YouSaid · the spoken record

Mele Colifa

lines on the record

408

first

2018-03-08

most recent

2019-12-11

sittings or episodes

63

sources

un-security-council

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1. “In that connection, we recognize the impact that armed conflicts have on society's most vulnerable members, typically women and girls, who, despite often being the victims of horrible acts, have repeatedly demonstrated their ability to contribute, to peace and security efforts and to peacebuilding and prevention at every level. That is why we recognize United Nations efforts to support those crucial groupings and enhance their Visibility, and to make clear the direct relationship between gender equality, resilience and conflict prevention. In that regard, we want to highlight the high-level visit to Afghanistan led by Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and the joint trips with the AU to South Sudan, the Sahel, the Democratic Republic ofthe Congo, the Niger and Chad, and the visit to Cameroon in April this year.”

   2019-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649 (2019) · source

2. “The spirit of that resolution is broadly reflected in the goal of gender parity, in the objectives of the resolution we have just adopted and in resolution 2467 (2019), adopted in April under the leadership of Germany and intended to promote the prevention and elimination of conflict- related sexual violence. In that perspective, we reiterate the importance of strengthening the relevant training guidelines issued prior to and during peacekeeping operations to ensure the effectiveness of missions and the protection of civilians, especially the most vulnerable, from any abuse and its consequences.”

   2019-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649 (2019) · source

3. “In that regard, we support the Secretary-General's new strategy for achieving gender parity among uniformed personnel in peace operations by 2020, and we encourage continued support for efforts to implement it. As has been acknowledged many times in this Chamber, we all agree with the initiative to improve the quality and scope of the Security Council's work in situations of armed conflict. Under the presidency of Equatorial Guinea in February, the Council unanimously approved resolution 2457 (2019) on silencing the guns in Africa by 2020.”

   2019-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649 (2019) · source

4. “We applaud South Africa's initiative with regard to resolution 2493 (2019), on women, peace and security, which we have just adopted, as it is crucial to the advancement of the implementation of this important agenda. Equatorial Guinea acknowledges the importance of gender equality and actively promotes the participation ofwomen in all sectors. However, we note with concern the Secretary-General's latest reports on women and peace and security (S/2019/800) and on conflict- related sexual violence (S/2019/280). As the speakers' accounts have illustrated, despite the achievements that have been registered, there is still much to be done to ensure the implementation of the women and peace and security agenda.”

   2019-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649 (2019) · source

5. “Mrs. Mele Colifa (Equatorial Guinea) (spoke in Spanish): I would first like to thank Mrs. Naledi Pandor, Minister for International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, and Ms. Michelle Mfintefering, Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany, for honouring us with their presence at this important debate. We would also like to extend a warm welcome to Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN-Women, Ms. Bineta Diop, Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security of the African Union (AU), Ms. Lina Ekomo, former Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Central African Republic, on behalf of FemWise Africa and the African Women Leaders Network, and Ms. Alaa Salah, civil-society activist and community leader. I thank them all for their informative briefings.”

   2019-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649 (2019) · source

6. “In conclusion, we congratulate all those who have facilitated progress in the Abyei Area, such as the African Union, UNISFA and the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism, which have shown commendable determination in the pursuit of peace and security in the border area. We urge them to maintain the necessary momentum and spirit of compromise for the implementation of the signed agreements. We urge the transitional Government in Khartoum to hold talks with South Sudan and with regional, continental and international partners, particularly UNISFA, in order to expeditiously address the country's challenges with regard to Abyei, in particular, and relations with South Sudan, in general.”

   2019-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8644 (2019) · source

7. “We urge the two parties to pursue their talks to overcome their disagreements over disputed and claimed areas along the border, in accordance with resolution 2416 (2018), taking into account the concept of flexible borders agreed in 2012 in order to reach agreement on the final demarcation of the common border. We believe that the 2011 agreements remain the only way to achieve lasting stability in the Abyei region and the Sudan-South Sudan border. Therefore, all parties involved must clearly reaffirm their commitment to those agreements and make the necessary efforts to take measures that will lead to peace and stability as soon as possible.”

   2019-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8644 (2019) · source

8. “My country remains extremely concerned about the lack of progress towards establishing a political process, owing to the latest political developments in the Sudan and South Sudan, to conclude negotiations related to the border between the two countries. That should not overshadow the importance of the stabilizing role that UNISFA and the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism continue to play along the borders between the two countries. In that regard, we hope that this stalemate will be broken with the establishment of the transitional Government in Khartoum and its pledge to end all remaining conflicts in the Sudan.”

   2019-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8644 (2019) · source

9. “Notwithstanding the progress made, we are concerned about the general security situation in Abyei, which remains fragile, as well as the continuing tensions among communities, the increase in crime, the scattered presence of armed elements in the area, the levels of widespread poverty and unemployment, the lack of any legal agreement or unity between the two parties on dealing with criminals detained in the Abyei area, and the failure of both parties to sign the memorandum of understanding on establishing procedures for dealing with such criminals, despite several reminders that have been issued since November 2016.”

   2019-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8644 (2019) · source

10. “We applaud the commitment to restoring relations among people living in the border region as a first step towards resolving the border disputes between the Sudan and South Sudan. We ask the Council to take advantage of this opportunity to extend its support to both countries in their efforts to overcome their years of conflict and division.”

    2019-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8644 (2019) · source

11. “In that regard, the Verification and Monitoring Mechanism continues to be an essential tool for decisions on border issues. We commend the efforts being made and encouraging steps being taken by the leaders of both the Sudan and South Sudan with a View to improving their relations and paving the way for new momentum for both countries. We also welcomed the visit to Khartoum in August by President Salva Kiir of South Sudan to attend the ceremony of the historic signing of the political and constitutional declarations marking the start of transitional rule in the Sudan, as well as the visit to Juba on 12 September by Mr. Abdalla Hamdok, the new Prime Minister of the Sudan, aimed at improving bilateral relations with regard to borders and trade.”

    2019-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8644 (2019) · source

12. “Mrs. Mele Colifa (Equatorial Guinea) (spoke in Spanish): My delegation wishes to thank Mr. Jean- Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, and Mr. Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa, for their informative briefings. Equatorial Guinea would like to express its gratitude to the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) and the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism for the stabilizing role they have played in the Abyei region through their continued efforts to communicate and mediate among the various communities in the region, which demonstrate the Mission's commitment to ensuring the welfare of the population of Abyei and the border region.”

    2019-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8644 (2019) · source

13. “We believe that the work done by the hybrid mission and the transition itself in the Sudan exemplify the fact that when the relevant actors' efforts are concerted and genuine, significant results can be achieved on the ground. We stand ready to engage constructively with all the parties on the future of UNAMID and the peace process in the Sudan.”

    2019-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8643 (2019) · source

14. “To put it clearly and unequivocally, there can be no place for spoilers in the Sudanese peace process. Anyone who refuses to commit to an inclusive dialogue designed to reach a permanent and peaceful solution gives up all claims to legitimacy, and we should therefore consider punitive measures for those who obstruct the peace process. Cote d'Ivoire, South Africa and my country, Equatorial Guinea, affirm their condemnation of the Sudan Liberation Army-Abdul Wahid militia and urge Council members and the international community to do the same. In conclusion, we reiterate our appreciation for the great work that UNAMID has done over the years to stabilize the situation in the Sudan. We also thank all United Nations and African Union staff and the Member States and international stakeholders that have helped to make this possible.”

    2019-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8643 (2019) · source

15. “Appropriate conditions must therefore be created before the closure of the mission. We hereby wish to request that any measures mandated by the Council in relation to the drawdown, withdrawal and exit of UNAMID take into account the regional situation, the aspirations of the Sudanese people and the views of the authorities, particularly regarding the time of the closure. As the report under consideration makes clear, the security situation in the Darfur region is fragile and volatile. There is a high risk ofintercommunal Violence, violent disputes and increased crime and illicit activity in a context where the humanitarian situation is already desperate owing to forced displacement and ongoing human rights violations, including conflict-related sexual violence.”

    2019-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8643 (2019) · source

16. “The main concern of the three African countries in that regard is shared by all, namely, that the course of action adopted should not jeopardize or reverse the progress that has already been made in Darfur. The three African countries welcome the proposed joint African Union-United Nations follow- on mechanism to UNAMID. We look forward to a responsible withdrawal of the hybrid presence in Darfur and the ultimate end of the mission, including the handover of facilities, in line with resolution 2429 (2018). In that regard, we commend the realignment of the Sudanese authorities in relation to the future of UNAMID and the use of its facilities. The capacity of the Sudanese State and of the transitional Government to extend its authority over the entire territory is very limited.”

    2019-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8643 (2019) · source

17. “Over the years, there have been many initiatives by the international community to protect and ease the suffering of the local population since the widespread atrocities in Darfur began in 2004. To date, none of those plans has succeeded in bringing about peace. Yet now that UNAMID is preparing to leave and hand over the responsibility for ensuring the protection of civilians to the Sudanese authorities, we are closer than ever to restoring an acceptable standard of living in the region. In considering this transition from a peacekeeping to a peacebuilding approach, decisions with far- reaching implications must be taken. Darfur does not exist in a vacuum. For that reason, when it comes to taking decisions, we must always bear in mind all stakeholders and issues that determine the context in which UNAMID operates.”

    2019-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8643 (2019) · source

18. “The sacrifices made by many have brought about a historic window of opportunity to put the Sudanese on the path towards a lasting peace that will enable the country to develop and prosper by achieving the vision of a new Sudan that is in line with the pan-African aspirations enshrined in the Silencing the Guns by 2020 initiative. The ongoing and constructive engagement of the international community is essential during and after this transition period. We reiterate the call on the relevant parties to immediately lift all economic and financial sanctions against the Sudan, including its removal from the list of countries sponsoring terrorism, in order to promote its economic activities and encourage foreign investment. Like the Sudan itself, UNAMID has also reached a critical moment in its history.”

    2019-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8643 (2019) · source

19. “We appreciate the ongoing assurances and specific measures by the Sudanese transitional authorities, led by Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, with regard to implementing the Constitutional Declaration of 17 August and the agreement governing the 39-month transition period, which will help to bring about a just and comprehensive peace in the Sudan. To that end, we are convinced that the commitments to the confidence-building measures contained in the Juba Declaration represent the appropriate road map for achieving that goal. The profound changes that we have seen in the country over the past year were achieved by paying a high price in terms of human lives.”

    2019-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8643 (2019) · source

20. “Mrs. Mele Colifa (Equatorial Guinea) (spoke in Spanish): As always, we would like to thank Under- Secretary-General Lacroix for his presentation of the special report (S/2019/816) of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on the current situation in Darfur and the future of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). I am delivering this statement on behalf of the three African countries on the Security Council: Cote d'Ivoire, South Africa and Equatorial Guinea.”

    2019-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8643 (2019) · source

21. “Accordingly, we hope that Security Council members will continue to support the Special Envoy's mediation efforts and that the international community, and the States with an interest and influence in Yemen, will put the necessary pressure on all the parties to the conflict to find a sustainable political solution.”

    2019-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8642 (2019) · source

22. “A recent report by a group of United Nations human rights experts (A/HRC/42/l7) denounces a number of possible war crimes, including indiscriminate bombing, arbitrary killing and detention, torture, the use of landmines, and sexual and gender- based violence. In this regard, my delegation calls on all parties to take all necessary measures to ensure respect for international humanitarian law and human rights. I cannot conclude without calling on the Yemeni Government, the Houthi movement, armed groups in the south and all stakeholders in Yemen to seek to free children, women and the population in general from this five-year-long terror.”

    2019-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8642 (2019) · source

23. “But we also agree that it is important for this openness to translate into concrete actions on the ground, as this would improve access to the greatly needed humanitarian and commercial imports for Yemeni population. On 26 August, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates issued a joint statement in which they expressed their willingness to promote the ceasefire agreement and facilitate constructive dialogue among the Yemeni parties. As they are two countries from the region, we hope that the initiative will contribute to the efforts of the United Nations by facilitating an environment conducive to reconciling all parties to the conflict. The suffering of the Yemeni population to this day is intolerable.”

    2019-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8642 (2019) · source

24. “We welcome the successful results achieved by the Redeployment Coordination Committee at the July and September meetings, including the final agreement on the technical modalities for a redeployment of forces from the city of Hodeidah and the ports of Hodeidah, Saleef and Ras Isa in two redeployment phases, as well as the implementation of the tripartite ceasefire and de-escalation mechanism, comprising liaison officers from both sides and UNMHA. We echo the Special Envoy's praise for the parties' openness to new measures, including periodic meetings in areas along the front line of the city of Al-Hudaydah and the opening of key humanitarian corridors.”

    2019-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8642 (2019) · source

25. “Despite that situation, on the one hand, the delegation of Equatorial Guinea acknowledges the ongoing joint efforts of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, the United Nations Mission to support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA), the Redeployment Coordination Committee and all United Nations partners currently in Yemen. On the other hand, we also recognize the level of cooperation of the Yemeni parties to the Stockholm Agreement, which has enabled the progress to this stage.”

    2019-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8642 (2019) · source

26. “Mrs. Mele Colifa (Equatorial Guinea) (spoke in Spanish): At the outset, I would like to thank Mr. Martin Griffiths, Special Envoy of the Secretary- General, and Mr. Mark Lowcock, Under-Secretary- General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, for their insightful briefings. Having carefully followed the briefing by the Secretary-General's Special Envoy, with a comprehensive overview of the conflict, allow me to express our deep concern at not seeing the progress envisaged under the Stockholm Agreement, signed between the Government of Yemen and the Houthi movement last December. I would also like to express our concern over all the apparent complexities of the trajectory of the conflict in recent months.”

    2019-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8642 (2019) · source

27. “I wish to conclude my statement by appealing to the international community to back the efforts of regional and subregional organizations and neighbouring countries in order to support the political actors in general and in particular leaders Salva Kiir and Rick Machar, so that they can move forward resolutely and without setbacks to achieve a definitive peace in South Sudan.”

    2019-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8621 (2019) · source

28. “Direct contact between these two leaders gives rise to hope that the agreement could be implemented in its totality. With this in mind, we are encouraged to know that during their meeting the two leaders reiterated their commitment to the agreement and to the formation of a transitional Government of unity during the month of November. Following through on this commitment will be an important sign of real progress in the peace process in South Sudan. The Republic of Equatorial Guinea appreciates the mediation and commitment of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development to United Nations personnel, UNMISS and non-governmental organizations for all their efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to the people and commends the African Union Commission on its active involvement in the collective efforts in favour of peace in South Sudan.”

    2019-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8621 (2019) · source

29. “We also deplore the continued prevalence of sexual violence and violence against civilians, and we therefore urge the parties to spare no effort to bring to justice all those who are responsible for such atrocities. We are also concerned about the humanitarian situation. The attacks against humanitarian workers and United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) personnel are unacceptable. That is why we would urge all the parties, in particular the Government, to ensure a more secure and propitious environment for personnel who are working tirelessly to provide assistance to the most vulnerable civilians in South Sudan. Given the concerns that I have just set out, it should also be noted that some events there give us reason for hope, such as the recent visit by Mr. Riek Machar to Juba a few days ago to meet with President Salva Kiir.”

    2019-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8621 (2019) · source

30. “We would like to remind the parties to the conflict that the time has come for them to assume their responsibilities and demonstrate the political will that is necessary for the full and timely implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, as it has been made clear on other occasions that an inclusive political solution is the only way to achieve peace in South Sudan. My country maintains the hope that the parties will make concrete and rapid progress in resolving the necessary transitional arrangements during the allotted period. We deplore the persistence of sporadic fighting between Government forces and the opposition, in particular in Central Equatoria, as well as among opposition groups.”

    2019-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8621 (2019) · source

31. “These include the submission of the report of the Independent Boundaries Commission, the drafting of key legislation, the planning of transition security measures, and the trips made by President Salva Kiir and the signing ofbilateral agreements with his counterparts in Kenya and in Uganda. All of these are important steps forward on the path towards the country's return to peace and stability. We also believe that this period of transitional Government has been a successful stage in the peace process and therefore urge the parties to step up their efforts to achieve a general agreement on security and on the cantonment and unification of the security forces.”

    2019-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8621 (2019) · source

32. “Mrs. Mele Colifa (Equatorial Guinea) (spoke in Spanish): Allow me at the outset to express my gratitude to Mr. David Shearer for his efforts in promoting the peace process as part of his remit as well as for his outstanding briefing, which clearly illustrated the manner in which the situation in South Sudan has evolved. The Government of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea welcomes the progress made in implementing the political and security tasks that have been achieved during the period covered by the report of the Secretary-General (S/2019/722) during the six-month extension of the pre-transition period.”

    2019-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8621 (2019) · source

33. “In that context, the Republic of Equatorial Guinea will support any language aimed at addressing those challenges during the negotiations for the renewal of the mandate of United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). Last but not least, our country remains concerned about the growing presence of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant in Afghanistan, which poses a serious threat to the security of Afghanistan and the countries of the region. In that connection, we encourage Member States to support the work of the 1988 Committee and thus comply fully with their sanctions obligations. In conclusion, we reiterate our support and well- deserved praise for UNAMA's key role in promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan.”

    2019-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8613 (2019) · source

34. “The Secretary-General's report (S/2019/703) once again reflects a high and devastating number of victims, the result of deliberate attacks through the indiscriminate use of improvised suicide and non-suicide explosive devices, as well as ongoing attacks on humanitarian workers. All of that, compounded by drought, sudden natural disasters, food insecurity and poverty, is displacing massive numbers of people, exacerbating the major challenges facing Afghanistan. Those challenges require the continuing attention of the international community and the provision of significant support to the Afghan Government to improve the country's security environment.”

    2019-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8613 (2019) · source

35. “Equatorial Guinea believes that such a peace process must be inclusive and Afghan-led and -implemented, with a view to achieving a peaceful resolution of the conflict and a comprehensive political solution; this means that it must incorporate all social and political forces in the country, including the opposition as well as women in particular, in a meaningful way. While we acknowledge that there has been significant progress in that regard, we encourage the Government of Afghanistan to continue including women in the electoral and peace processes, with women playing a leading role during the negotiations. With regard to the humanitarian and security situation in Afghanistan, we share the grave concern of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General.”

    2019-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8613 (2019) · source

36. “Along those lines, we echo Mr. Yamamoto's call for national leaders and candidates to participate responsibly, and urge the Taliban and other armed groups to desist from threatening or attacking election personnel, candidates or voters. My delegation believes that, in parallel with the electoral process, it is particularly important that talks on an Afghan peace process continue. In that spirit, we support all of the efforts under way and future efforts to promote the intra-Afghan dialogue for peace in Qatar and the strengthening of regional cooperation efforts through the convening of multilateral forums to build regional consensus on peace.”

    2019-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8613 (2019) · source

37. “We also thank Ambassador Djani for the excellent work he has done in the exercise of his functions as Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011), as well as Mr. Yury Fedotov for the relevant information he has provided. The successful holding of Afghanistan's presidential elections, scheduled for 28 September, will be an important milestone for the Afghan people and a great opportunity for all Afghans to decide the future of their country. We therefore encourage the Government of Afghanistan to fortify security measures through the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces so that the Afghan people can exercise their right to vote in a secure environment and to ensure the holding of transparent, inclusive and credible elections through the Independent Election Commission.”

    2019-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8613 (2019) · source

38. “Mrs. Mele Colifa (Equatorial Guinea) (spoke in Spanish): On behalf of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, I would like first of all to express our condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to those injured in the latest attacks in Afghanistan, which we strongly condemn. We once again call on the parties to abide by international law and international humanitarian law with regard to the protection of civilians. I would like to thank Mr. Tadamichi Yamamoto for his informative briefing and for his admirable commitment to lasting peace in Afghanistan. We have listened to his remarks, which, for the most part, we endorse.”

    2019-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8613 (2019) · source

39. “I wish to conclude my statement by reiterating the obligation that falls to us members of the Security Council to continue our efforts and urging the negotiating parties to resolve all other matters relating to the committee's rules of procedure as soon as possible, as well as facilitating the beginning of its work.”

    2019-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8609 (2019) · source

40. “As every delegation, including those of the Syrian Government and the armed opposition, agreed on and finalized the composition of the constitutional committee in the last round of consultations held in Nursultan earlier this month, there is no doubt that it is possible and feasible to move towards a political solution, above and beyond the military truce established specifically in the areas most committed to the process, such as the north and north-west of the country. We also recall the overriding obligation of the parties to continue to provide unwavering support to the Special Envoy for the successful conclusion of the process, without forgetting the need to resolve the problems on the battlefield first, before creating a strengthened institutional framework to restore political stability and peace in Syria.”

    2019-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8609 (2019) · source

41. “We hope that the Council will be provided with a comprehensive report on the issue in the coming weeks. With regard to the political process, the Government of Equatorial Guinea believes that all the necessary conditions now exist for the successful convening of the constitutional committee, which would make it possible to initiate direct consultations among Syrians on the parameters for the future of their country, as envisaged in resolution 2254 (2015).”

    2019-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8609 (2019) · source

42. “We believe that, even in the fight against terrorism, we must always ensure respect for international humanitarian law. With regard to protecting health centres and medical personnel in Idlib, we insist that the allies of the parties must be more involved in order to prevent the deterioration of the situation. Furthermore, the parties to the conflict must be reminded that any attack, including attacks on education centres and health facilities, considerably undermines efforts to resolve the crisis and poses a serious threat to the security of the region. In that regard, Equatorial Guinea joins the support expressed for the Secretary-General's initiative to establish an internal board of inquiry at Headquarters to investigate a series of incidents in north-western Syria. We have high expectations for the work of the board of inquiry.”

    2019-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8609 (2019) · source

43. “The situation is deteriorating rapidly, with extremely high levels of violence continuing to hamper the humanitarian response, and in particular the provision of food aid to more than 20,000 people in some areas of Idlib. In addition, those displaced in camps, such as Rukban and Al-Hol, remain in inhumane conditions. While it is true that we must support local efforts to eradicate terrorist threats, we remain deeply concerned about the plight of civilians who are faced with continuous bombardment. There are many civilian victims and, in that context, Equatorial Guinea believes that it is important that all parties directly involved in the conflict comply with all agreements reached on Idlib, aimed both at continuing to fight terrorists and at ensuring the safety of civilians.”

    2019-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8609 (2019) · source

44. “Mrs. Mele Colifa (Equatorial Guinea) (spoke in Spanish): The Republic of Equatorial Guinea thanks you, Madam President, for convening today's important meeting. We also thank Mr. Mark Lowcock and Special Envoy Geir Pedersen for their useful briefings. With regard to the humanitarian situation, while the conflict in Syria might make fewer headlines eight years later, it certainly remains one of the most complex humanitarian crises in the world, as proved by the statistics just provided by Mr. Lowcock and some of the delegations that took the floor before me. The ongoing harsh offensive by the Syrian army is significantly increasing tensions in Idlib and parts of the neighbouring cities of Aleppo, Hamah and Latakia.”

    2019-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8609 (2019) · source

45. “We just celebrated the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, which focused on the resilience of victims of terrorism and their families. In that regard, we wish to conclude by acknowledging and encouraging the role of the United Nations in facilitating international judicial cooperation and gathering digital evidence. Moreover, processes that promote accountability through mechanisms such as the United Nations Investigative Team for Accountability of Da'esh/ISIL, to promote accountability for crimes committed by Da'esh in support of victims in Iraq, including and especially sexual and gender-based violence victims. The Republic of Equatorial Guinea remains firmly committed to the implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions to ensure the success of that important work.”

    2019-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8605 (2019) · source

46. “Covert Da'esh and Al-Qaida networks, the existence of lone wolves and new methods of terrorist attacks executed by women, girls and entire families; attacks against targets that are considered easy, such as places of worship, family ceremonies, among others; and the recent attacks by the extreme right remind us of the need to galvanize international cooperation against terrorism and spur investment in sustainable development to tackle the root causes of terrorism and conflict. In that regard, we are encouraged by the holding of regional conferences in Tajikistan and Kenya, which we hope will translate into concrete results with a view to containing and eliminating the terrorist threat.”

    2019-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8605 (2019) · source

47. “Those two strategic areas are important to preventing the use of new technologies for the dissemination of terrorist propaganda and as a tool for the recruitment and radicalization ofjuvenile delinquents in prisons; illegal mineral exploitation; human, arms and drug trafficking for terrorist purposes; and the potential for the creation and use of weapons of mass destruction.”

    2019-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8605 (2019) · source

48. “All those phenomena cause enormous damage and pose serious challenges to the lives and economies of the countries most directly affected and, to a lesser extent, their neighbours and, by extension, the whole of Africa. Resolutions 2462 (2019) and 2482 (2019), which the Council adopted this year, led by France and Peru, respectively, and which Equatorial Guinea had the honour of co-sponsoring, help revitalize and strengthen the fight against Da'esh, Al-Qaida and other terrorist groups by focusing on preventing and suppressing the financing of terrorism and the links between transnational crime and terrorism.”

    2019-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8605 (2019) · source

49. “That is why, as we have been doing, we encourage those efforts to also focus on so-called geographical blind spots in the fight against terrorism, in order to reinforce efforts to prevent and curb the spread of terrorist groups and their activities. The African continent is being bled out by the activities of terrorist groups, such as the Boko Haram group in north-eastern Nigeria, which also affects the neighbouring countries of the Niger, Chad and Cameroon, countries which are neighbours of Equatorial Guinea. There is the case of Al-Shabaab in the east of the continent. Countries such as Mali and Burkina Faso are falling victim to groups supported by Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb.”

    2019-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8605 (2019) · source

50. “We are further concerned over their collaboration with Al-Qaida and its affiliates in the region and other terrorist groups and their conflictive relations with groups such as Al-Shabaab and Boko Haram, especially in West Africa, where there has been an upsurge in violence and attacks linked to Da'esh and Al-Qaida. We therefore commend the strengthened collaboration among the various United Nations agencies, including those present here, in support of States in designing and carrying out their counter- terrorism strategies and implementing the relevant Council resolutions and the 2018 addendum to the Madrid Guiding Principles on foreign terrorist fighters, among others.”

    2019-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8605 (2019) · source