YouSaid · the spoken record

Ngyema Ndong

lines on the record: 186
first: 2022-01-17
most recent: 2023-12-29
sittings or episodes: 37
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

“Mrs. Ngyema Ndong (Gabon) (spoke in French): Gabon voted in favour of renewing the mandate of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), in the light of our concerns about maintaining consensus on an African issue and so as to enable MINUSMA to work in the best possible conditions. Nevertheless, we do not believe that the mandate meets the main aspirations of the Malian people. Mali is at a critical juncture in its history and must face major security challenges, while at the same time fighting against armed groups and violent recurring attacks perpetrated by terrorists. We are convinced that, at this stage, Mali’s people need more substantial support from the international community, instead of a barrage of insults and admonitions, which serve only to worsen the situation on the ground.”
2022-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9082 (2022) · source
“Effective justice is justice that condemns, on the one hand, and that makes amends on the other. In that regard, accountability must always be part of the global objectives to be considered, not only from the perspective of ending wars but also from the perspective of building lasting peace. In that context, the establishment of monitoring mechanisms, such as the Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect, must be strengthened to ensure the follow- up of potentially at-risk areas. In conclusion, my country reaffirms its commitment to accountability and equitable justice that is neither politicized, selective or variable. We share the conviction of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu that no matter ow painful and unsettling justice may be, not demanding accountability is always worse.”
2022-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9052 (2022) · source
“We know that such crimes are not committed spontaneously but are often the product of a long process during which mediation, good offices, early-warning systems and regional and subregional organizations can play a decisive role in preventing escalation and the loss of human lives. It is therefore critical that the Council accord particular attention to preventative diplomacy as an effective instrument to achieve peace and security, by working to narrow the gap between the critical importance of prevention and the limited resources allocated to it. It is far less costly to prevent crimes than to intervene to stop them. For several decades, Gabon has been steadfastly committed to promoting preventive diplomacy, including in the Central African Republic, through continued engagement in peace missions, mediation and good offices.”
2022-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9052 (2022) · source
“The Council must play its role as a cornerstone in the emerging system of international criminal justice and must assume it by taking every opportunity for constructive action at its disposal, including the systematic activation of the legal instruments and mechanisms at its disposal. Moreover, strengthening accountability and justice in cases of serious violations of international law, like the maintenance of international peace and security, will remain difficult goals to achieve without incorporating the prevention dimension. Optimizing the use of all tools aimed at preventing crimes against humanity, criminal acts and all human rights violations therefore remains imperative.”
2022-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9052 (2022) · source
“It is therefore our hope that the momentum of national and international investigative mechanisms, together with the struggle on the ground, will become the yardstick by which all wars in the world will be measured. Realizing international justice often takes a long time. For the cases involving Thomas Lubanga Dyilo and Dominic Ongwen, the ICC required 10 years and 16 years respectively, from the time of their crimes to the verdicts. Such delays, which are predicated on the time needed to conduct investigations, are hardly compatible with the urgent need to provide meaningful relief for the victims. However, during that time, attempts to sensationalize or revert to the media for justice should be prevented.”
2022-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9052 (2022) · source
“In Africa, we do not need to look back to the time of the slave trade or colonization to highlight areas in which accountability is required. Today in many battlefields on the continent, it is important to demand and impose accountability along the entire chain of horror, from the warlords to the sponsors of war. Support for accountability efforts in Ukraine should become the model for the international community’s response to crises and conflicts throughout the world. In Ukraine, as everywhere else in the world, the fight against impunity must not be allowed to slacken. Without justice, peace cannot be sustained. The belief that people will simply forget with time is a terrible mistake, since even after centuries unpunished crimes continue to represent huge stumbling blocks in terms of preserving peace.”
2022-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9052 (2022) · source
“Despite the efforts of the international community, it must be noted that international criminal justice remains a weak deterrent, and its scope continues to be based on variable geometry — or rather variable geography. Indeed, the determination of international jurisdictions to seek out a warlord in Africa often contrasts with their sluggishness with regard to other regions of the world. That double standard is difficult to understand insofar as justice and accountability must not reflect power relations among nations at the risk of being seen as a validation of injustice to the detriment of those that are less prosperous. Wherever serious crimes under international law are committed, peace and justice must both be goals in negotiations to end conflicts.”
2022-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9052 (2022) · source
“The failure to demand accountability for crimes against humanity or genocide could seem like an encouragement for committing such serious crimes and erode the foundations for peace. Undoubtedly, under the pressure of peace negotiation efforts, justice is sometimes relegated to the background. Its dividends, however, are of the utmost importance in deterring repressive leaders from committing further crimes. At the same time, fair trials help restore victims’ dignity by acknowledging their suffering and establishing a historical record of events so as to prevent the possibility of revisionism or negationism by those who might seek to deny the atrocities committed.”
2022-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9052 (2022) · source
“The international community has the tools at its disposal today to prosecute perpetrators of serious crimes or extradite them to countries that can prosecute them. The International Criminal Court (ICC) is one such tool, the mandate of which is to investigate and prosecute war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. In the same vein, there are also international criminal tribunals and their residual mechanisms, as well as national courts exercising universal jurisdiction. All those legal mechanisms clearly indicate the strong resolve of the international community to reject impunity and the most serious human rights violations. As the late Secretary-General Kofi Annan noted, “Impunity … can be an even more dangerous recipe for sliding back into conflict” (S/2004/431, para. 55).”
2022-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9052 (2022) · source
“Mrs. Ngyema Ndong (Gabon) (spoke in French): I congratulate you, Sir, on your presidency of the Security Council, the functioning of which you will ensure for the month of June. I also thank you taking the initiative to convene this important debate on a subject of concern that is at the heart of the international agenda. I thank the President of the International Court of Justice, Ms. Joan Donoghue; the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Michelle Bachelet; and Professor Dapo Akande for their informative briefings. Justice plays a critical role in maintaining peace in the world. Clearly, the issue of international accountability, the goal of which is to seek justice for serious crimes and atrocities, has profound ramifications for achieving peace.”
2022-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9052 (2022) · source
“We firmly believe that in order to better prevent and combat conflict-related sexual violence, we must ground our work in a survivor-centred approach and focus on protecting survivors and building their resilience. By healing the invisible wounds caused by wars and armed conflict and providing victims with the mental health support and psychosocial support they need, we can move with determination towards our shared goal of a peaceful world for current and future generations.”
2022-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9016 (2022) · source
“That serves not only to seek appropriate lasting solutions to conflicts and their adverse effects but also to ensure a broader consideration of the gender dimensions in United Nations peace mission mandates, in particular in conflict or post-conflict situations. In the same vein, we note with interest the efforts of the United Nations Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict network, which integrates the work of 21 United Nations entities in order to prevent conflict- related sexual violence, respond to the needs of survivors and combat impunity. It is time for the Council to issue a unanimous call to ensure that the victims of sexual violence have access to international justice. It would restore hope, dignity and their fundamental rights. Denying justice to victims is a factor that hinders their recovery.”
2022-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9016 (2022) · source
“It is also vital to facilitate access to redress, which is a key component in restoring the dignity of those concerned, while advocating a holistic preventive approach that is tailored to situations on the ground. That should be done by using existing means and mechanisms, such as building States’ institutional capacity, implementing security sector reform and raising awareness among populations. My country calls for continued efforts to assist populations and ensure the comprehensive and inclusive implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and its related resolutions, including resolutions 1820 (2008) and 2467 (2019). We also call for the strengthening of the partnership between the United Nations and regional organizations, such as the African Union, in particular in coordinating efforts on the women and peace and security agenda.”
2022-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9016 (2022) · source
“Indeed, the sustained commitment and effective participation of women in conflict prevention and conflict resolution processes, as well as in post-conflict recovery and peacebuilding processes, will allow us not only to achieve lasting peace but also to ensure that decisions on transitional justice processes are fairer and better adapted to the harm suffered by victims and in line with their expectations, while taking into account important contextual factors. We remain convinced of the need to make greater efforts to facilitate survivors’ access to justice and accountability mechanisms in order to provide a holistic response to conflict-related sexual violence.”
2022-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9016 (2022) · source
“That appalling fact requires the international community, in particular the members of the Security Council, to join their efforts to end once and for all the cycles of conflict-related sexual violence. Under the leadership of President Ali Bongo Ondimba, my country has resolved to place the well- being of women and young people at the centre of its development policy. We acknowledge the immense potential of women with respect to the establishment of security, stability and lasting peace. Consequently, Gabon remains steadfast in its call for accountability for the perpetrators of sexual violence and remains firmly committed to the inclusion and participation of women and building their resilience.”
2022-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9016 (2022) · source
“The adoption of resolution 1820 (2008), supported by a robust number of normative tools, further strengthened the impact of resolution 1325 (2000), especially with regard to the need to end sexual violence in armed conflict. Those resolutions were a turning point in the understanding of sexual violence as a security issue in its own right. It is clear that the great number of conflicts and multifaceted crises are exacerbating that horrible phenomenon, which counts women as its primary victims. In that regard, the latest report on the issue (S/2022/272) specifically highlights the case of women peacemakers and human rights defenders, who in precarious and conflict situations are often subjected to sexual abuse, harassment and every form of intimidation to exclude them from public life.”
2022-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9016 (2022) · source
“Mrs. Ngyema Ndong (Gabon) (spoke in French): I thank you, Sir, for taking the initiative of convening this important debate on accountability as a means of preventing and addressing cycles of sexual violence in conflict. I thank all the briefers, in particular Special Representative of the Secretary-General Pramila Patten and Ms. Nadia Murad, for their very informative briefings. In a global context characterized by a multitude of unprecedented security, humanitarian, economic, political and health crises, today’s subject calls on us to consider the fate of civilian populations, in particular women and children, who pay the greatest price in conflict and post-conflict situations of instability.”
2022-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9016 (2022) · source
“My country remains convinced of the relevance and central role that resolution 1540 (2004) must play in preventing the emergence of terrorist and other armed groups and strengthening the fight against them when they do emerge by preventing them from acquiring weapons of mass destruction. I would also like to take this opportunity to reaffirm our opposition to any use of weapons of mass destruction.”
2022-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8993 (2022) · source
“It is also with that objective in mind that my Government has committed itself to strengthening its position in favour of the fight against weapons proliferation by deciding last December to launch the process of ratifying the Arms Trade Treaty. We are also a party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and all the related safeguards agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency and additional protocols since 1974, as well as to the Pelindaba Treaty, which creates a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Africa. We will continue to maintain our commitment to denuclearization.”
2022-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8993 (2022) · source
“We also take note of the broad consultations that will be conducted with State actors, civil society, academia and parliamentarians, and the strengthening of the Committee’s cooperation with international, regional and subregional organizations as well as with other United Nations bodies, with a view to raising their awareness and improving implementation of the resolution. Since the submission of Gabon’s most recent report on its implementation of resolution 1540 (2004), in 2011, the situation with regard to my country has not changed: Gabon does not possess or produce nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and has strictly respected its commitments. Similarly, it does not facilitate or support non-State actors in this area. This commitment to international peace and security is a constant for my country.”
2022-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8993 (2022) · source
“Mrs. Ngyema Ndong (Gabon) (spoke in French): First of all, I would like to thank my colleague, the Permanent Representative of Mexico, as Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), and to express to him and his entire team our appreciation for their remarkable commitment in conducting the work of this important Committee. We welcome the extension of the mandate of the 1540 (2004) Committee until 30 November 2022 and note the difficult conditions under which the Committee has had to conduct its activities, particularly in the context of the constraints imposed by the pandemic.”
2022-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8993 (2022) · source
“In conclusion, I would like to emphasize how fundamental it is to create synergies of action, establish strategic partnerships with women leaders at all levels and create flexible funding mechanisms to support women’s peacebuilding initiatives. Indeed, it is well understood that promoting women’s empowerment, through education and employment — and thereby their economic inclusion — is to foster their resilience and invest in building sustainable peace.”
2022-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8989 (2022) · source
“We call for the continuation of efforts initiated and agreed upon at global, national and local levels for a comprehensive and inclusive implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and its related resolutions, as well as for a better integration of the gender dimension in peacebuilding efforts. We are convinced that strengthening the partnership between the United Nations and regional organizations, particularly with regard to the coordination of their actions taken on the women and peace and security agenda, could contribute significantly to better consideration of the gender dimension in responses to conflicts and in United Nations peacekeeping mandates.”
2022-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8989 (2022) · source
“In my country, women are fully involved in shaping the future of their societies and are a major asset for the stability and lasting peace, which make a Gabon attractive as a country. From our experience, we deem it obvious that providing women with their rightful central place in time of peace is a catalyst not only for their empowerment but also for providing an impetus to socioeconomic and political progress by preparing them for the peaceful settlement of differences that could emerge in future. Gabon remains steadfast in advocating the inclusion, participation and resilience of women, fully aware that their full participation in all stages of conflict- prevention, conflict-resolution and peacebuilding processes contributes to a more sustainable peace.”
2022-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8989 (2022) · source
“That terrible reality calls our attention to the scope of the efforts that need to be undertaken by the international community to strengthen the resilience capacity of women through economic inclusion — it being understood, of course, that combating economic inequality goes hand in hand with crisis-prevention strategies and economic recovery. With three high-ranking women at the head of our highest institutions — specifically, the Prime Minister, President of the Senate and President of the Constitutional Court — as well as various other outstanding women at the helm of key ministerial departments, Gabon is, in Africa, the epicentre of leadership of women as agents of change and peacemakers.”
2022-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8989 (2022) · source
“The crucial equation that we need to resolve in most cases remains that of the lack of opportunities and economic resources, which very frequently undermine the leadership role and capacities of women and prevents them from fully participating in the various decision-making processes. That is something that can be very clearly seen in the most recent report of the Secretary-General on women and peace and security (S/2021/827), which underscores the fact that in countries in conflict, women, who represent a substantial part of the informal sector, were the most hard hit by the economic consequences of the coronavirus disease pandemic.”
2022-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8989 (2022) · source
“Nonetheless, my country remains concerned by the fact that 21 years after the adoption of the milestone resolution 1325 (2000), on the women and peace and security agenda, women continue to be very hard-hit, particularly in fragile States and in conflict situations. The global context today, which is characterized by many crises exacerbated by the pandemic, only underscores this. Advocacy for women’s empowerment, their economic inclusion and their participation must be expanded at all levels in societies, especially conflict- affected societies, and must spread to all regions of the world.”
2022-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8989 (2022) · source
“The topic that we are discussing today is of particular interest to my country, which recognizes that strategic trans-sectoral partnerships at the local, regional and international levels are very useful tools to promote the women and peace and security agenda, in particular when it comes to the economic inclusion of women and their full participation in conflict-prevention, peacebuilding and post-conflict recovery efforts. It is clear that mobilizing the international community to acknowledge women as key actors in peace processes has gradually reached a significant level of resonance.”
2022-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8989 (2022) · source
“Mrs. Ngyema Ndong (Gabon) (spoke in French): I welcome this high-level meeting because it echoes one of the priorities of Gabon’s international advocacy, namely, the resilience of women in fragile States and in conflict situations, together with the primary role that they should play at all levels of peace processes, from conflict prevention to post-conflict recovery, including mediation, peacekeeping and peacebuilding. I thank Ms. Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN-Women; Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund; and Ms. Moussokoro Coulibaly. I would be remiss if I did not mention Ambassador Biang, who is very committed to the HeForShe movement.”
2022-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8989 (2022) · source
“Gabon is particularly committed to the principles of tangible borders, territorial integrity and national sovereignty and notes the fact that the core principles of international relations are being undermined. My country calls upon all parties to de-escalate, demonstrate restraint and adhere to the principle of the peaceful settlement of disputes, in line with the Charter of the United Nations. We encourage them to use the channels of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the crisis and prevent irreparable damage.”
2022-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8970 (2022) · source
“Mrs. Ngyema Ndong (Gabon) (spoke in French): First of all, I would like to thank Ms. DiCarlo for her briefing. Over the past few weeks, our attention has often been focused on developments in the situation on the border between Russia and Ukraine, amid fears of military action and escalating rhetoric by the parties. Following the call made by the Russian State Duma, some days ago, to recognize the sovereignty of the separatist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, all signs point to imminent action. Today Russia announced its decision to recognize the sovereignty of the self-declared Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics. That decision is heavy with consequence for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. It also undermines the relevance and implementation of the Minsk agreements.”
2022-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8970 (2022) · source
“We hope that the Sudanese authorities will respond favourably and expeditiously to the designation of the focal points and that the judiciary will respond to requests for cooperation in the application of international criminal justice without hindering them. These are indispensable links in the continuation of fruitful cooperation in the fight against impunity. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate our full support for the efforts of the Prosecutor and his Office and welcome the willingness expressed by the Sudanese authorities to cooperate fully with that Office. This partnership is vital for the effective implementation of resolution 1593 (2005).”
2022-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8948 (2022) · source
“Similarly, we regret that while the Court is struggling to bring justice to the victims of past conflicts, the continuing tensions in Darfur are causing new victims. We call on the relevant Sudanese authorities to ensure that this climate of violence ceases and that justice is done for all victims. In its efforts to bring justice for the crimes alleged to have been committed in 2003, we trust that the Office of the Prosecutor will bear in mind not only the protection and assistance owed to the victims, but also the fragile political situation in which the Sudan finds itself and the prospect of stabilizing the country. It goes without saying that a rapid return to constitutional order would be conducive to greater cooperation between the Court and the Sudanese authorities.”
2022-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8948 (2022) · source
“The fact that the Sudanese authorities agreed, on 12 August 2021, to sign a memorandum of understanding that sets out the modalities of the necessary cooperation between the Sudan and the Office of the Prosecutor is a significant step forward. We note with interest the Prosecutor’s attention to civil society representing victims and survivors of the conflict in Darfur and encourage him to continue his efforts aimed at strengthening the efficiency and effectiveness of his office. However, the efficiency of the measures taken or to be taken remains dependent on the improvement of the political and security situation in the Sudan. In this regard, we deplore in particular the interruption of investigation activities as a result of the persistent insecurity in the country in general and in Darfur in particular.”
2022-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8948 (2022) · source
“It is important to ensure the full implementation of resolution 1593 (2005) and bring justice to the victims and survivors of the conflict in Darfur. The International Criminal Court has a key role to play in ensuring that the commitments made in the context of strengthening international criminal justice are not just wishful thinking. I take this opportunity to reaffirm my country’s commitment to the integrity of the Rome Statute and the promotion of the rule of law, as well as our determination to fight impunity. Gabon takes note of the judicial activities carried out by the ICC during the reporting period. We welcome the commitment of the Sudanese authorities to fully cooperating with the Court in support of its work, including by allowing a permanent presence of the Office of the Prosecutor in the Sudan as soon as possible.”
2022-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8948 (2022) · source
“Mrs. Ngyema Ndong (Gabon) (spoke in French): Today’s debate in the Security Council on the thirty-fourth report of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) pursuant to resolution 1593 (2005) is particularly timely, as it comes at a time when that country is going through a pivotal period in its history. I would like to take the opportunity of this first statement by Gabon on the work of the Court to congratulate Mr. Khan on his election as Procureur of the International Criminal Court and to commend the dynamism he has shown since taking office. His briefing this morning has once again demonstrated this dynamism. I also welcome the representative of the Sudan at today’s meeting.”
2022-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8948 (2022) · source