YouSaid · the spoken record

Mohamed Ibn Chambas

lines on the record: 30
first: 2020-07-09
most recent: 2021-01-11
sittings or episodes: 2
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

“I am also pleased that the Council continues to give the matter its utmost attention. Girls’ education remains a critically important lever for development. Political will and resources to implement the various instruments, especially education for girls, must therefore remain a priority. We need to confront the all-too-well known root causes of exclusion, strengthen democratic governance and give a new and decisive push to fight insecurity. I would like to express my appreciation for the Council’s continued support to the implementation of the UNOWAS mandate, while reiterating our commitment to continue accompanying national and regional actors to enhance peace and stability in West Africa and the Sahel.”
2021-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/43 (2021) · source
“In addressing the multidimensional challenges in the Sahel, UNOWAS is closely collaborating with the G-5 Sahel to support the implementation of the priority investments programme and the Lake Chad Basin Commission Regional Stabilization, Recovery and Resilience Strategy. With more outreach to donors, the support plan for the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel has focused on cross-border and cross-cutting issues, including protection, human rights and climate change. Women and youth in the region have been hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. A joint assessment conducted by UNOWAS in collaboration with ECOWAS on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) showed progress in the areas of coordination and programming. I am encouraged that action plans are now in place in 14 out of the region’s 16 countries.”
2021-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/43 (2021) · source
“In neighbouring Guinea-Bissau, the closure of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau, on 31 December after 20 years of a United Nations field mission presence in the country, marked an auspicious moment for Bissau-Guineans to come together and agree on a new Constitution that is more adapted to the country’s specificities, breaking the cycle of political upheavals, violence and complex governance challenges. Learning from other United Nations mission closures and transitions, together with ECOWAS, the United Nations Resident Coordinator and the United Nations country team, we have established solid collaborative mechanisms to accompany Guinea-Bissau on the way forward.”
2021-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/43 (2021) · source
“In this vein, I welcome the outreach by President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani of Mauritania to the opposition and communities that have historically been marginalized. In Guinea, incidents of political and intercommunal violence have claimed more lives. Regrettably, the elections have deepened rather than reconciled deep- seated grievances. It is my wish that Guineans work together to set the country on a path of dialogue to consensually address the contentious issues that impacted the recent electoral cycle. That would be the pathway to strengthen social cohesion and inclusion, promote reconciliation and ultimately unlock the country’s enormous potential.”
2021-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/43 (2021) · source
“With only two months until the polls, which are scheduled for 6 March, I urge all national actors to overcome personal grievances and make gestures of genuine reconciliation to leave behind the long shadows of the past and turn a decisive page towards a united, prosperous Côte d’Ivoire. In Benin, with presidential elections due in April, I appeal to the national authorities and all political actors to find common ground to make the polls more inclusive than the legislative elections of 2019, which resulted in post-election violence. Elections are one-time events, but democracy is a constant process of deliberation and consultation, and dialogue is one important arena for the building of national consensus.”
2021-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/43 (2021) · source
“In addition, as we speak, new consultations among political parties for a possible reassessment of the draft constitution are ongoing in the Gambia, after the draft was rejected by Parliament in September, despite two years of broad-based consultations at home and with the diaspora. In Côte d’Ivoire, I am encouraged by the appointment of a Minister of National Reconciliation and the start of a national dialogue process to rebuild national cohesion after an electoral process fraught with disagreements. I salute the announcement by the Front populaire ivoirien to compete in the upcoming legislative elections.”
2021-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/43 (2021) · source
“In Ghana, which already has a tradition of peaceful handovers, elections were peaceful overall, while remaining disagreements about the results are being decided in the courts. In support of those processes, UNOWAS conducted stakeholders’ forums in Burkina Faso, Ghana and the Niger, at which candidates and national stakeholders committed to consultative, consensual processes, contributing to the peaceful outcomes in those countries. I also undertook several good-offices missions to Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire prior to, during and after the elections. Throughout, UNOWAS worked hand in hand with ECOWAS, the African Union and other international partners.”
2021-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/43 (2021) · source
“In Burkina Faso, dialogue among political actors led to an outcome that was accepted by all, with the losing contenders congratulating President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré for his second term and committing to work together to tackle insecurity. The recent appointment of a Minister of National Reconciliation is a step in the right direction. I also commend the peaceful conduct of the general elections in the Niger on 27 November, which is set to usher in the country’s first-ever democratic transition from one elected Head of State to another. During my recent visit to the country, I appealed to Nigeriens to maintain that exemplary posture for the holding of the second round of the presidential election, scheduled for 21 February.”
2021-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/43 (2021) · source
“Behind those figures are millions of human lives that are devastated and hundreds of thousands of children who are deprived of life-changing education. Since my previous report to the Council (see S/2020/706), five presidential, three legislative and two local elections were held in West Africa. Despite COVID-19, electoral management bodies were able to maintain the electoral calendar and demonstrated impressive technical capacity to organize and conduct elections. Increasingly, elections have also been funded exclusively from national budgets. Notwithstanding challenges and unacceptable levels of violence in Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire, the polls overall went well.”
2021-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/43 (2021) · source
“Following the end of the rainy season, militants have again staged audacious deadly attacks, notably in the Niger, where more than 100 people died in just one assault nine days ago. Despite important successes, insecurity has expanded to new areas previously considered safe, such as north-west Nigeria, where militants collude with bandits and other criminal networks. In addition, according to the International Maritime Bureau, 90 per cent of worldwide incidents of maritime piracy and hijacking occur in the Gulf of Guinea. As a result of prevailing insecurity, the humanitarian situation has been further aggravated, triggering new population displacements and rising to a cumulative figure of 5 million people, which is 1.4 million higher than in 2019.”
2021-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/43 (2021) · source
“Nowhere has that resilience been more sorely tested than in the Sahel, where an ever-more volatile climate has brought about massive floods, affecting more than 1.7 million people and resulting in the destruction of houses and livelihoods. I also salute the Joint Force of the Group of Five for the Sahel (G5-Sahel), working in tandem with multiple international partners, including the French Operation Barkhane force and the European Takuba Task Force, as well as the Multinational Joint Task Force and the national armies of Sahel and Lake Chad basin countries, which together have fought gallantly against militants and extremists on several fronts. Yet insecurity continues to prevail and to harm innocent lives.”
2021-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/43 (2021) · source
“Notwithstanding the challenges, I would like to commend the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its member States for their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been successful in containing the fallout, supporting the vulnerable and mitigating economic disruptions. Now that we are facing a second wave of the pandemic, and while are relieved that vaccines are being distributed, it is ever-more important that we collaborate to apply the manifold lessons learned in terms of improving governance and delivering essential services for societies to emerge more adept, secure and resilient.”
2021-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/43 (2021) · source
“I am honoured to brief the Security Council today on the latest report (S/2020/1293) of the Secretary-General on the activities of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS). At the start, permit me to congratulate the new members — India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico and Norway — on joining the Council This briefing is being held against the backdrop of a year of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which triggered multiple challenges that have affected all countries worldwide without exception, plunging most countries of the region into recession and leading to a diversion of resources from productive investments and the fight against insecurity.”
2021-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/43 (2021) · source
“I also insisted on the involvement of women, youth and persons living with disabilities in the entire electoral process in each country. Ahead of the elections, which could be major flashpoints for crises, UNOWAS will continue to work with the relevant partners to support the efforts of the five countries in organizing inclusive, transparent and credible elections, which are crucial to the stability and development of the region. I would like to recognize the unflinching support of the Council for the implementation of the mandate of UNOWAS while reiterating our commitment to continue accompanying national and regional actors to enhance peace and stability in West Africa and the Sahel.”
2020-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/706 (2020) · source
“I have held joint virtual consultations with the ECOWAS Commission President, Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, United Nations Resident Coordinators and heads of the election management bodies in countries preparing for elections to assess the situation on the ground, the level of preparation, the challenges faced and ways in which the United Nations could better support the various processes. The heads of the election management bodies all expressed confidence and provided assurances of their readiness to successfully organize the elections. During those consultations, I insisted that the stakeholders ensure that solutions to challenges or disruptions caused by the pandemic are consensual, inclusive and respect human rights and the rule of law.”
2020-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/706 (2020) · source
“These elections present an opportunity for democratic consolidation in those countries. However, to ensure that these processes are credible, transparent, inclusive and peaceful, consensus will be needed to address underlying challenges and any disruptions, including those linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is worth noting that the pandemic led to the suspension or postponement of preparations for the elections, including voter registration, in some of those countries. Preparations have, however, resumed, and stakeholders in the majority of those countries have maintained their determination to hold elections as scheduled.”
2020-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/706 (2020) · source
“UNOWAS will continue to engage national authorities to ensure a holistic approach and work towards broadening social support, inclusivity and national cohesion. We will also continue our advocacy to ensure a human rights-based approach in the response by States in the region, with focus on the most vulnerable and marginalized segment of the population as well as on community involvement. It is worth highlighting that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the region has witnessed a number of positive developments, including the relatively peaceful conduct of the presidential elections in Togo, local elections in Benin and the completion of the work of the Constitutional Review Commission in the Gambia. Five high-stakes presidential elections are planned in the second half of the year in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and the Niger.”
2020-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/706 (2020) · source
“To promote a whole-of-United Nations approach in response to the pandemic, I have held virtual consultations with United Nations Resident Coordinators and their teams in all countries in the region to assess the impact of COVID-19 in each country, identify ways to strengthen United Nations collaboration with national and regional stakeholders in support of Governments’ response efforts, and mobilize, where applicable, support for the Secretary-General’s call for a global ceasefire. The Resident Coordinators noted that while Governments’ COVID-19 responses have largely been consensus-driven in most countries, there have also been situations where the response faced serious criticisms from national actors.”
2020-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/706 (2020) · source
“At the regional level, on 23 April the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held an extraordinary summit and appointed President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria as Champion to lead regional COVID-19 response efforts. The Authority also established ministerial coordination committees on health, finance and transport to coordinate regional efforts to address the pandemic.”
2020-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/706 (2020) · source
“Heavy-handed responses by some security services to enforce restrictions have been reported, even in countries with more solid human rights records. We are also observing the impact of the pandemic on governance structures and systems; electoral and political dialogue processes, the humanitarian situation, the socioeconomic situation, and regional and multilateral engagements. Terrorists and violent extremist groups are also exploiting the situation to further launch attacks in the region, in disregard of the Secretary-General’s appeal for a global ceasefire. Conscious of this, various countries of the subregion have developed national COVID-19 response plans with support from United Nations country teams.”
2020-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/706 (2020) · source
“Through its convening role and in line with its new mandate, UNOWAS is conducting analysis and research to elicit a greater understanding and mitigation options on the adverse implications of climate change on peace and security in West Africa and the Sahel in collaboration with the relevant United Nations mechanisms and in partnership with ECOWAS, the World Bank and international, regional and national think tanks. The COVID-19 pandemic is amplifying and exacerbating pre-existing conflict drivers, with grave implications for peace and security in West Africa and the Sahel. The pandemic is having a negative impact on human rights and the rule of law and is disproportionately affecting women and girls, including with respect to their role in informal trade and due to a reported increase in femicide, sexual and gender-based violence.”
2020-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/706 (2020) · source
“Furthermore, as part of our efforts to support the Mano River Union’s cross- border security and confidence-building measures, in February UNOWAS signed a cooperation agreement with the Mano River Union on peace and security issues and support for youth and women on cross-border cooperation. Climate change is reinforcing security risks in the region by exacerbating farmer-herder conflicts — which remain a major security concern — increasing social tensions and contributing to rural-urban migration, violence, delinquency and food insecurity.”
2020-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/706 (2020) · source
“In that connection, on 4 March I facilitated a meeting between the Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and the Head of the Multinational Joint Task Force, Ambassador Mamman Nuhu, and the Regional United Nations Sustainable Development Group, in Dakar, to develop a common understanding of the role of United Nations agencies in the implementation of the Lake Chad Basin Commission Regional Stabilization Strategy and to ensure coherence with existing regional programmes, including those implemented within the framework of the United Nations integrated strategy for the Sahel.”
2020-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/706 (2020) · source
“As reiterated by the meeting of the steering committee of the United Nations integrated strategy for the Sahel, on 30 June, the United Nations should continue adopting a cross-pillar approach that emphasizes the importance of national ownership while also aiming to create synergies with other initiatives.”
2020-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/706 (2020) · source
“The international community also needs to increase its support for the full operationalization of the African Union- Lake Chad Basin Commission Regional Stabilization, Recovery and Resilience Strategy for Areas Affected by Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin Region, while accelerating the implementation of the United Nations integrated strategy for the Sahel. Coordination among the various initiatives aimed at addressing security, humanitarian and development challenges in the region is crucial. In that regard, the call by the Group of Five for the Sahel summit of 30 June for enhanced coordination and cohesion among Member States is commendable. I also welcome the commitment to the strict respect of human rights expressed at the summit. We are ready to work in partnership with Member States to address this challenge together.”
2020-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/706 (2020) · source
“The United Nations must remain committed to working with all partners in order to enhance a more holistic and sustainable approach to these challenges by building national and institutional capacity; improving community resilience; and encouraging, supporting and advocating for good governance, political inclusion, respect for human rights and adherence to the rule of law. In that regard, the United Nations should support the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in the implementation of its 2020-2024 action plan for the eradication of terrorism in the subregion.”
2020-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/706 (2020) · source
“While national and multinational forces have intensified counter-terrorism operations, some communities have resorted to organized volunteer groups and self-defence militias for protection. Human rights groups have raised concerns over alleged abuses by self-defence militias and by security and defence forces. The growing linkages between terrorism, organized crime and intercommunal violence cannot be overemphasized. Terrorists have continued to exploit latent ethnic animosities and the absence of the State in peripheral areas to advance their agenda.”
2020-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/706 (2020) · source
“The fragile security situation has also caused an increase in the number of internally displaced persons and refugees in the region. In Burkina Faso, as of June, 921,000 people had been forced to flee their homes, an increase of 92 per cent compared to late 2019. In Mali, close to 240,000 people are internally displaced, of whom 54 per cent are women. In the Niger, as of June, 489,000 people had been forced to flee their homes. This includes internally displaced persons, Nigerian and Malian refugees. In Nigeria, an estimated 7.7 million people will need emergency assistance in 2020. In Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, more than 1.8 million people, more than half of them women, still live in makeshift camps or are hosted in communities that are themselves extremely vulnerable.”
2020-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/706 (2020) · source
“Since my most recent briefing to the Council, in January (see S/PV.8698), attacks by violent extremists and intercommunal violence have continued to undermine peace and security in the region, particularly in the Sahel and the Lake Chad basin. Despite intense and sustained efforts by concerned countries, violent extremists have continued to attack security forces and civilians, with dire implications for the humanitarian and human rights situation in the region. Terrorist attacks have been accompanied by the forced recruitment of children and abductions in Burkina Faso, Mali, the Niger and Nigeria. In addition, school closures in the affected areas due to the extremely volatile security situation have denied thousands of children their right to education.”
2020-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/706 (2020) · source
“I am honoured to brief the Council today on the latest report of the Secretary- General on the activities of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) (S/2020/585). This briefing is being held against the backdrop of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which has, regrettably, led to a significant loss of life across the globe and is severely impacting our way of life and livelihoods. In that regard, I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to all those who have lost loved ones and to wish a speedy recovery to those undergoing treatment while also enjoining everyone to stay safe and healthy.”
2020-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/706 (2020) · source