YouSaid · the spoken record

Nzongola-Ntalaja

lines on the record: 134
first: 2022-03-29
most recent: 2023-06-26
sittings or episodes: 9
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

“The International Rescue Committee — an American organization — has estimated that more than 6 million Congolese have lost their lives since 1998 as a result of Rwanda’s incursions into our country, not only in the east but also in Mbandaka, on the border with Congo-Brazzaville, when they were pursuing the Hutus. There were many deaths that have not been talked about. Dr. Mukwege, a Nobel laureate, is urging that we at least consult the 2010 mapping report. I do not know why the United Nations does not want us to analyse the report’s findings and prosecute the crimes against humanity that were committed. I believe that merits our attention.”
2022-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9081 (2022) · source
“I do not have any information concerning the numbers of people who have been killed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the last few years or months as a result of the conflict in the country’s eastern regions. Undeniably, there are people who will shout, who will insult, who will do things, but that does not represent our Government’s position. The Government has condemned every incident of xenophobia and threats against Rwandans in the Congo. Many churches, civil society and organizations have also risen to the occasion to condemn such behaviour among our people. I therefore do not think that it is truly one of the major issues. And I do not recall hearing anyone here condemn the many crimes committed in our country by Rwanda in the past 26 years.”
2022-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9081 (2022) · source
“Mr. Nzongola-Ntalaja (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (spoke in French): Before delivering my statement, I would first of all like to thank Special Representative of the Secretary-Genera1 Keita for her briefing and Ms. Lusenge for her briefing on the situation concerning the women and children in the eastern part of our country. I have a number of comments to contribute. I heard here a whole chorus on hate-related issues and that there are people who have entered my country to spread hatred. I have lived enough years in Africa to know that we have always faced problems of xenophobia here and there, but we have never before heard such a chorus about xenophobia-related incidents in a number of African countries in which people are killed simply because they are not from the region or because they are from elsewhere.”
2022-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9081 (2022) · source
“To all the members of the Security Council, I reiterate the gratitude of the people and the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for their dedication and commitment to the cause of my country and the region.”
2022-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9023 (2022) · source
“The reforms undertaken in the justice system and the operationalization of transitional justice will certainly help in this pursuit. As I noted earlier in my statement, while challenges remain, the positive developments in the region and the efforts aimed at rebuilding trust and confidence in the Great Lakes region are worthy of encouragement. That is why my country is asking the United Nations and the international community to support the efforts of all leaders of the Great Lakes region. I cannot conclude my remarks without thanking the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region for the sequential implementation of his 2021-2023 action plan for the region, as well as for the efforts he continues to make within his mandate to restore peace throughout the Great Lakes region, and more specifically in my country.”
2022-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9023 (2022) · source
“The resolutions of the Khartoum conference and the efforts undertaken within the framework of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region for the certification of minerals are positive steps for my country and for the region. With regard to the humanitarian challenge, which is also largely the consequence of the aforementioned armed-group activity, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, beyond its partnership with the United Nations under the humanitarian response plan launched on 17 February 2022, remains open to any additional positive regional initiative that could help meet the challenge. With regard to the challenge of respecting human rights, the Democratic Republic of the Congo would like to reassure the Council that it is continuing to make efforts to achieve this objective.”
2022-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9023 (2022) · source
“This was one of the decisions made at the Nairobi summit. Joint military operations in the context of states of siege and in terms of military cooperation will continue together with non-military measures. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is currently in talks in Nairobi with the armed groups, calls on the international community, the Security Council and the region, united in the Contact and Coordination Group, for clear support in forcing the armed groups operating in the east to surrender their weapons and join the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration scheme at both the national and regional levels. With regard to the illicit exploitation of natural resources and the illegal trafficking of arms and ammunition, the region must continue to act to strengthen the fight against these scourges.”
2022-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9023 (2022) · source
“Owing to time constraints, I will focus my statement on just a few of these challenges. With regard to the actions by armed groups of internal and external origin, my country is concerned at the resurgence of their negative activities. The ADF and their links with terrorist entities at the global level, the Coopérative pour le développement du Congo and other armed groups, together with the unacceptable resurgence of attacks by the Mouvement du 23 mars, which we were able to defeat and disarm in 2013, must absolutely be a thing of the past. To this end, while continuing our efforts aimed at reforming the defence and security sector and the strengthening of the Forces armées de la République démocratique du Congo, my country has endorsed the implementation of a comprehensive approach to neutralizing negative forces.”
2022-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9023 (2022) · source
“We must put an end to the suffering of this population and give them the chance to improve their living conditions. My delegation invites all signatories, guarantors and multisectoral partners to work consistently to this end, which is beneficial not only for the Democratic Republic of the Congo but also for the entire region. This momentum in the destiny of the Great Lakes region must not be wasted but rather capitalized upon. My delegation certainly recognizes that much has already been done and that there has been an improvement in the evolution of the situation, as the report before us also highlights, but the major objectives, namely, peace, stability and development, have not yet been achieved. All challenges that delay and jeopardize stability in the region must be identified and addressed.”
2022-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9023 (2022) · source
“The holding of the tenth summit of the Regional Monitoring Mechanism of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region, on 24 February 2022 in Kinshasa, the participation of the Head of State at various high-level meetings in the region, the signing of numerous bilateral agreements with countries in the region, such as the agreement to cooperate with Uganda in the fight against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), illustrate this determination. The eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo must be brought back to peace. This goal must be achieved. The unspeakable suffering of the population in this part of the country must be brought to an end, as we are talking about a state of affairs that has lasted for more than 25 years.”
2022-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9023 (2022) · source
“My delegation welcomes the report before us, but we would like to make a few comments on issues referred to therein and concerns expressed by members of the Security Council. We need hardly recall the importance of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region, which remains an important instrument for bringing about security, peace and stability as a precursor to the sustainable development of the Great Lakes region. The President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, His Excellency Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, has, since coming to power, worked tirelessly to change the narrative in the Great Lakes region. He has pursued his policy of strengthening good-neighbourliness and cooperation with all the leaders of the region.”
2022-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9023 (2022) · source
“João Samuel Caholo, Executive Secretary of the International Conference on the Great Lakes region, and Mr. Dinesh Mahtani, Independent Expert on the Great Lakes region. I wish also to extend my thanks to all members of the Security Council, as I said earlier. My delegation has taken note of the Secretary- General’s report on the implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region (S/2022/276), just introduced to us by Ambassador Huang Xia, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes region, whom I had the honour of meeting two days ago, when we had a very good exchange on what is happening in our region.”
2022-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9023 (2022) · source
“Mr. Nzongola-Ntalaja (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (spoke in French): I should like to thank you, Mr. President, for having invited us to this meeting, and I would also like to thank all members for their comments made here. I have taken note of them, and we will certainly consider them as we take decisions regarding the peace and development strategy in the eastern part of our country. At the outset, I wish to congratulate you, Sir, on your presidency of the Security Council for April and for having taken the initiative to organize this meeting on the situation in the Great Lakes region in general and on the implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region. I would also like to welcome among us the presence of His Excellency Mr.”
2022-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9023 (2022) · source
“I must not fail to thank the MONUSCO troops in general, and the Intervention Brigade in particular, for the sacrifices they continue to make so that peace can be restored in the eastern part of my country.”
2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source
“As for the investigation into the murder of the two United Nations experts, the sentence was handed down in the first trial against the 51 people found guilty. My Government takes this opportunity to express its solidarity with the families and the countries affected by this incalculable, painful loss and wishes to reassure the international community that justice will be done. I would like to conclude by once again thanking Ms. Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of MONUSCO, for her commitment. My Government highly values the excellent work that she is carrying out in my country in a difficult time. We assure her of our full cooperation to ensure the success of her work.”
2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source
“Lastly, my delegation encourages the use of the Comprehensive Planning and Performance Assessment System and its horizontal implementation within MONUSCO. Concerning the implementation of the transition plan and the gradual and phased withdrawal strategy of MONUSCO, the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and MONUSCO are working in close cooperation on the basis of the road map that has been drawn up. The initial joint assessments reflect progress achieved on the 18 benchmarks and indicators set out. In connection with the withdrawal from Tanganyika province, scheduled for June 2022, a joint field assessment, as a prelude to the withdrawal, would be desirable. My Government favours the withdrawal and is preparing for it.”
2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source
“The result of those operations, in the context of the 2023 elections, could also facilitate the smooth conduct of the electoral process in the respective territories. Thirdly, the Council should ensure that the vacuum left by the withdrawal of the Ukrainian unit in terms of personnel and equipment can be filled within a reasonable amount of time to prevent the weakening of certain essential operational capabilities of the MONUSCO force in this context of asymmetrical war. Fourthly, the Council should ensure an even more impactful strengthening of partnership between MONUSCO and the defence and security forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has already been initiated, in terms of transfer and effective capacity-building.”
2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source
“As the needs are immense, the Democratic Republic of the Congo would greatly appreciate any additional assistance that other partners could provide to this population in distress. With respect to MONUSCO, my Government makes the following requests. First, the United Nations and the Security Council should allocate sufficient resources to the Mission so that it can effectively carry out its mandate. Secondly, considering that the reconfiguration process of the MONUSCO force is more or less complete, including that of the Intervention Brigade, the Democratic Republic of the Congo requests that more joint, planned and intense FARDC-MONUSCO operations be conducted, in accordance with resolution 2556 (2020). The objective is to increase pressure on the armed groups and prompt them, if possible, to surrender.”
2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source
“The alarming humanitarian situation observed in my country is largely attributable to the activity of armed groups and the conflicts that are also affecting neighbouring countries, whose people sometimes take refuge on our territory. Those armed groups, in particular the ADF and CODECO, have been carrying out unacceptable deadly attacks. We emphatically denounce such attacks against displaced persons camps, as well as against peaceful citizens. My country continues to address this delicate and difficult situation, given the very high number of internally displaced persons and all the attendant challenges. That is why my Government, in partnership with the United Nations, launched a humanitarian response plan on 17 February. The plan is targeted at 8.8 million of the most vulnerable people.”
2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source
“Paragraph 26 of the Secretary-General’s report under consideration illustrates that focus: in addition to the severe sentences handed down for the perpetrators, the operationalization of a new military court in February 2022 in Beni, on account of its proximity, will contribute to the fight against impunity. With regard to the allegations of violations committed by elements of the security forces, the Congolese military justice system has adopted measures to prosecute the perpetrators of the crimes, and they will continue. In addition, it is worth noting the efforts undertaken by the Government for the operationalization of transitional justice, as well as the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.”
2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source
“With regard to the fight against violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including sexual violence, my delegation would like to emphasize that this fight remains at the heart of the work of the President of the Republic, as well as his Government; from the outset, he has committed himself to working to establish the rule of law. The various existing State structures, as well as other agencies newly set up by the President since 2019, such as the Agency for the Prevention and Fight against Human Trafficking and the National Committee for the Prevention against Torture, are all hard at work to achieve that goal. In the same vein, my Government is also committed to fighting impunity within the army and the police.”
2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source
“Despite those efforts of the President of the Republic in his pursuit of regional partnerships to change the narrative of the security situation both in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region, unfortunately, on the night of 27 to 28 March, the Mouvement du 23 mars (M-23) carried out incursions and attacked FARDC positions in Chanzu and Munyonyi, in Rutshuru territory. After all the agreements signed with the M-23 and its annihilation, by inter alia the United Nations Intervention Brigade, there is reason to wonder about the resurgence of the M-23. Moreover, many questions remain, including the source of their supplies and who is supplying them with arms and ammunition and why?”
2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source
“Finally, in the context of the many current and future acts of surrender by combatants operating in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the new Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Reintegration and Stabilization Programme, established by President Tshisekedi Tshilombo, is a key instrument to pacifying the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We echo the call for increased partnership and support to ensure the full functioning of the programme.”
2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source
“The synergy among the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region, the National Monitoring Mechanism of the Framework Agreement of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other regional and international guarantors that are working to promote cooperation around non-military measures will contribute to the gradual eradication of negative forces in the region. Pacifying the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo must also inevitably lead to the strengthening of the fight against the illegal trafficking of arms and ammunition, as well as the plundering of natural resources, which was mentioned by several speakers earlier. In that regard, an effective and well-targeted sanctions policy must not be ruled out as a means of disrupting all mafia-like networks.”
2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source
“In addition to the military strategy, in upholding his commitment to restore peace and security in the east of the country, the Head of State of the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to engage in regional diplomacy that could eventually change the situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as in the entire region. In addition to the regional approach to pacify the east, my Government is also considering non-military solutions for both domestic and foreign armed groups to bring peace to the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region.”
2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source
“In addition, they are also using terrorist methods, such as the use of suicide bombers, for example, in Beni on 24 and 25 December 2021, and the parcel bomb at Oicha on 5 January. In retaliation for the operations, the ADF and MTM terrorists and their supporters are also using improvised bombs to terrorize the population. On top of that, we note the resurgence of activity by the Coopérative pour le développement du Congo (CODECO), which was mentioned here earlier several times, in Ituri. Those operative methods require the FARDC and MONUSCO to readapt and recalibrate their strategies and pool additional joint efforts to neutralize those negative groups and provide lasting security for the populations of the eastern part of my country.”
2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source
“Concerning the security situation, it remains generally calm throughout the country, apart from the activities of armed groups in certain territories in the east of the country. Joint operations by the Forces armées de la République démocratique du Congo (FARDC) and the Ugandan People’s Defence Force (UPDF) in the framework of the state of siege against the terrorists of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and the Madina Tawheed wal Muwahedeen (MTM) are being pursued and developing at a regular pace in the Grand Nord area and in the southern part of Ituri. Those operations have led to the dismantling and destruction of several of the groups’ strongholds, thereby forcing them to change their combat strategy. They have evolved into small and mobile groups, raping and massacring the civilian population in their path.”
2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source
“Moreover, in confirming the desire that he expressed at the beginning of his term to strengthen good-neighbourly relations and cooperate with the leaders of the region, the President of the Republic recently participated in two major regional events: the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of Central African States, held in Brazzaville on 19 January, and the tenth High-level Meeting of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region, held in Kinshasa on 24 February. Both summits reaffirmed the shared resolve expressed by member States to cooperate further in bringing peace to the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source
“Despite challenges related to security and financial and logistical constraints, the Government, under the leadership of the Head of State, is working to ensure the success of the electoral process, and all other forms of support, facilitation and constructive contributions that can help make the process a success are welcome.”
2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source
“That resolve has been reflected by the following progress: the completion of the composition of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), as several Council members underscored earlier; the appointment of a woman as the Commission’s Deputy National Executive Secretary; the gradual allocation by the Government of resources to CENI; the adoption of the road map for the 2021-2027 electoral process by CENI; and the adoption by the Government of three draft decrees. The first of the latter concerns the organization of the pooling of operational activities within the framework of voter identification and registration, population identification and the general census. The second and third draft decrees concern the creation of a national identity card and general population database, respectively.”
2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source
“With regard to preparations for the 2023 general elections, President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, as the report underscores, reiterated during his speech on the state of the nation on 13 December 2021 his commitment, “to making the Democratic Republic of Congo a truly democratic State, which cannot be achieved without the holding of free, democratic and transparent elections within the constitutional time frame”.”
2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source
“Allow me also to welcome the presence in the Chamber today of our compatriot Ms. Léa Babite Inyobondaye, founder of the “Young People Enemies of Hunger” association. My delegation has taken note of the report of the Secretary-General on MONUSCO, covering the period from 1 December 2021 to 16 March 2022, which Ms. Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of MONUSCO, just presented to us. Let me make a few comments on the issues raised in the report and the concerns raised by Council members. As the report before us highlights, the political situation in my country has been mainly dominated by preparations for the upcoming elections and the pursuit of regional partnerships.”
2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source
“I would like to begin by congratulating the President on her country’s presidency of the Security Council for the month of March 2022 and thank her for taking the initiative to organize today’s meeting on the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I would also like to thank the Secretary-General of the United Nations, His Excellency Mr. António Guterres, for his determination and commitment to my country’s cause and for his report on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (S/2022/252), which is the subject of our discussions today. I would like to thank all the members of the Security Council whose qualities I have greatly admired; I see that most members of the Council are truly committed to improving the situation in the Congo, and we thank them for that.”
2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source
“Mr. Nzongola-Ntalaja (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (spoke in French): I join the members of the Security Council who have expressed their concern about the helicopter accident that took place in the Rutshuru region. We too are very affected by this news. We hope that the group that went looking for this plane will do what is necessary to prevent any unfortunate circumstances from arising. We hope that most of the people who were on that plane will be found alive. I am also very pleased that the Council has seen fit to invite us to this meeting on the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), and I would like to thank Ms. Bintou Keita for her work and for her briefing, which we are discussing today.”
2022-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9007 (2022) · source