YouSaid · the spoken record

Pandor

lines on the record: 39
first: 2019-09-25
most recent: 2023-10-25
sittings or episodes: 5
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

“In conclusion, in the light of our discussions yesterday on the situation in the Middle East and the question of Palestine (see S/PV.9451), I would like to recognize the fundamental role played by civil society organizations in the search for sustainable peace. In that regard, let me highlight the cross-community solidarity forged by Women of the Sun, of Palestine, and Women Wage Peace, of Israel, aimed at urging the parties to engage in dialogue and diplomacy to reach a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace. Those partnerships are an example of positive activism and inspirational leadership by women striving to find a solution in the context of the continued occupation of Palestine. We encourage those women to continue with their solidarity amid adversity and the deepening political and security crisis.”
2023-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9452 (2023) · source
“We are pleased to note the contribution of South African female peacekeepers making a difference on the ground when deployed to missions. Those include dedicated individuals such as Major Felicia Thobeka Mswane, who previously served as the Fire Support Coordinator for the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) Force Intervention Brigade; Lieutenant Colonel Martha Masango, Chief of the Intelligence Cell of the MONUSCO Force Intervention Brigade; Major Seitebatso Pearl Block, the MONUSCO Information Operations Officer who was awarded the United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award in 2017; and Lieutenant Colonel Fulufheto Kouter, the Contingent Commander of the South African Police Service in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, who was recently recognized for the sterling leadership she provides to her fellow colleagues.”
2023-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9452 (2023) · source
“South Africa also contributes to training and capacity-building for women in peace processes at the continental and local levels. We provide annual youth and women’s training programmes on conflict resolution, mediation and negotiation to women from conflict-affected countries. Some of the trainees are now members of peacebuilding initiatives in their various countries. We truly appreciate the partnerships we have established with the African Women Leaders Network and FemWise-Africa — the African Union’s platform for women mediators — and with the Government of Norway. In the same vein, we commend the efforts of the Secretary-General, as articulated in the Action for Peacekeeping Plus initiative and the uniformed gender parity strategy, which continue to positively advance the women and peace and security agenda.”
2023-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9452 (2023) · source
“In that context, it is alarming that the number of women and girls living in conflict-affected settings has increased by 50 per cent in 2022 compared to 2017, owing to the increasing number of armed conflicts since then. In South Africa we have tried to do our part. We initiated the Gertrude Shope Annual Dialogue Forum in 2015 and the women mediators network to train cohorts of African women negotiators and peace monitors. The training has made an immense contribution to drawing women in communities together and is setting targets for women’s direct participation in peace delegations and negotiating teams. That initiative has shown how empowered women can contribute to peace and stability and support other women living in vulnerable conditions.”
2023-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9452 (2023) · source
“It is therefore disheartening to note that the percentage of women in peace negotiations today stands at a measly 19 per cent in United Nations-led processes, down from 23 per cent in 2020. It is our belief that peace agreements are more sustainable when women are at the table. The report of the Secretary-General (S/2023/725) points to several concrete actions that we Member States can take to reverse that trend, and South Africa is largely in agreement with the proposals. We also note that the current global security environment may contribute to the reversal of progress in the implementation of the women and peace and security agenda. We therefore re-emphasize our call for urgent action to secure peace in the Israel-Gaza war, in conflicts on the African continent and in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.”
2023-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9452 (2023) · source
“South Africa would like to thank the Federative Republic of Brazil for convening this open debate to discuss how we can effectively move from theory to practice to enhance women’s participation in international peace and security. We appreciate the informative presentations by all the briefers this morning. South Africa believes that as we prepare for the twenty-fifth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), enhanced international efforts are needed to focus on implementing the commitments made to advancing women’s participation in all peace processes. We made the same call in 2019, when the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2493 (2019), as proposed by South Africa (see S/PV.8649).”
2023-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9452 (2023) · source
“We should establish a system of global governance that is fair, equitable and has the capacity to respond to the needs of all persons in situations of threat and harm — a system that is not just a tool for the most powerful countries of the world, but that provides protection for the most vulnerable. Finally, South Africa is appalled at the Security Council’s failure to agree on a unified resolution that signals a full commitment to ending the killing and suffering. There can be no search for compromise resolutions when the Council is faced with a crisis of such proportions. We must urge the Council to do its work and ensure security and peace for the residents of Israel and Gaza.”
2023-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9451Resumption1 (2023) · source
“It is our view that, for international law to be credible, it must be applied uniformly and not be selective. In our view, the conflict has again illustrated the inadequacy of our own global Organization, the United Nations, in particular the Security Council, which has the mandate of maintaining international peace and security. The Council has clearly been unable, over time, to prevent conflicts from spiralling into intense violence and harm to ordinary civilians. All of us need to work harder at reforming our Organization so that it is more capable of responding in order to protect civilians. We all recall that in 1994 a genocide occurred in Rwanda, with much of the whole world watching as innocent people were massacred. History cannot keep repeating such cruelty, with all of us watching.”
2023-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9451Resumption1 (2023) · source
“The killing of civilians and the destruction of civilian infrastructure in Gaza by Israeli forces goes against the tenets of international law, which prohibits the targeting of non-combatants, especially women, the aged and children. There is an added obligation on an occupying Power over the people and territory it occupies, in terms of the Geneva Conventions, including a prohibition against collective punishment. That, of course, does not detract from South Africa’s concern at the actions of Hamas, which also targeted non-combatants. While we express concern about the current violence and deaths, we cannot ignore the fact that continued occupation has bred hatred, suffering and pain. Just as Israel deserves peace and security, Palestinians deserve sovereignty, peace and security.”
2023-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9451Resumption1 (2023) · source
“South Africa also joins the urgent calls for an immediate comprehensive ceasefire and for humanitarian corridors to be opened so that aid and other basic services reach all those in need. Most importantly, we call on all parties to exercise restraint and to desist from fuelling this patently unjust war and suffering of innocents. We also express condolences to the people of Palestine and Israel for the lives lost during the past two weeks. We are horrified at the blatant targeting of civilians, a clear violation of international humanitarian law, the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols. Both Hamas and the State of Israel have committed those violations.”
2023-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9451Resumption1 (2023) · source
“We thank the Federative Republic of Brazil for convening this timely open debate. We found the briefings this morning most instructive. They provided frightening insights into the plight of innocent civilians in Gaza and the West Bank and pointed to the urgent need to ensure the release of Israeli hostages as soon as possible. South Africa agrees with many of today’s speakers that the ultimate solution to the conflict is finalizing the question of the two-State solution. We must work hard through the United Nations to create two States, Palestine and Israel, living side by side in peace and security. That must be in accordance with the established United Nations resolutions on the two-State solution. The Palestinian State should be created along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
2023-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9451Resumption1 (2023) · source
“There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. I now invite Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussion on the subject. The meeting rose at 5.45 p.m.”
2019-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8652 (2019) · source
“In conclusion, we appeal to the Security Council and the international community to support the Government of Burundi and the East African Community mediation process as it lays the foundation for an environment that is conducive to the holding of democratic elections and to support a peaceful transfer of power in order to ensure peace and stability beyond 2020. We thank Mr. Lauber and Mr. Kafando for their work and for their briefings to the Council today. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.”
2019-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8652 (2019) · source
“We urge the Security Council and the international community to do more to alleviate the socioeconomic challenges and the humanitarian situation facing the people of Burundi and call on its partners to support the implementation of the national development plan for the benefit of the Burundian people. We are encouraged by the ongoing voluntary repatriation of Burundian refugees, which since September 2017 has seen the voluntary repatriation of 78,000 refugees to Burundi. The increased return is a manifestation of a return to peace and stability in the country, and we call on the international community to provide assistance for their repatriation and reintegration, as the humanitarian response plan continues to remain severely underfunded.”
2019-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8652 (2019) · source
“However, we encourage Burundi to work closely with the East African Community and the African Union to deliver a truly conducive environment in the spirit of the Arusha Agreement. We commend Burundi's contribution to international peace and security through its deployment of more than 6,000 Burundian men and women in various peacekeeping operations, mostly in the Central African Republic and Somalia. As a member of the African Union Peace and Security Council, Burundi is to be congratulated on remaining committed to the promotion of peace and security by contributing to silencing the guns in Africa. South Africa remains gravely concerned at the dire humanitarian situation in the country. Nearly 1.8 million Burundians are need of humanitarian assistance, with a large proportion suffering from malnutrition.”
2019-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8652 (2019) · source
“All parties must be permitted to canvass support countrywide without hindrance. There should be no no-go areas for any politician or political party. South Africa welcomes the commitment by President Pierre Nkurunziza not to stand as a candidate for the presidential election in 2020, and we look forward to seeing the Government and political parties work together to hold inclusive and peaceful elections. Burundians must be the beneficiaries of free and fair elections that can deliver democracy and development with the assistance of the region. We are encouraged by the continued stable security situation in the country, and we commend the decision of the Government of Burundi to finance the elections with their national budget as its sovereign responsibility.”
2019-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8652 (2019) · source
“As a guarantor of the Arusha Agreement and as part of the legacy of former President Nelson Mandela, we in South Africa will always stand ready to support the Government and the people of Burundi as they consolidate peace, as well as to assist with the development of their country. We congratulate the Government of Burundi on initiating a number of preparatory processes for the elections, especially the establishment of the National Independent Electoral Commission, the adoption of the Burundian electoral code and the publication of the 2020 election calendar. Furthermore, the establishment of new political parties and the decision by the Government to set up nationwide mixed committees to include the youth from all political parties in a bid to avoid election-related violence is to be commended.”
2019-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8652 (2019) · source
“We look forward to the leadership of the East African Community and the African Union in charting the course on Burundi with the assistance of, and in coordination with, the United Nations. South Africa urges the Council to continue to coordinate its positions with those of the AU Peace and Security Council when dealing with African issues. Africa has very clearly defined regional organizations that deal systematically with issues related to African peace and security. We maintain that it is only through an inclusive dialogue that we can address any political impasse in Burundi and that this requires that the international community support the East African Community initiatives. There should be an environment conducive to dialogue among the key stakeholders in the East African Community-led process.”
2019-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8652 (2019) · source
“This would bolster the efforts of the East African Community, which is charged with the responsibility of overseeing the Burundi process. South Africa continues to fully support the EAC- led process in the spirit of the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement for Burundi, with the support of the African Union (AU) and the United Nations. We welcome the recent engagement between President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, as the mediator of the process, and Special Envoy Kafando on 23 August. We note with interest the three-point non-paper, which speaks to strengthening mediation efforts and injecting much-needed momentum into the Burundi process. In that regard, the work of former President Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania remains invaluable.”
2019-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8652 (2019) · source
“We thank him for his role in engaging with all the stakeholders in the Burundi process and for working with all Burundian parties to develop much-needed confidence-building measures to improve the human rights and security situation in the country. His work with the Government and the East African Community leadership has fostered an environment conducive to political dialogue and an all- inclusive reconciliation process. We welcome the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Burundi (S/2019/837), which reflects on the most recent developments in the country. We take note ofthe proposed suggestions on how best to enhance an inclusive dialogue and the possible role of the United Nations in the run-up to the general elections scheduled for 20 May 2020.”
2019-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8652 (2019) · source
“I thank Ambassador Lauber for his briefing. I shall now make a statement in my capacity as Minister for International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa. We thank the former President of Burkina Faso, Mr. Michel Kafando, Special Envoy of the Secretary- General for Burundi, and Ambassador Jiirg Lauber, Chair ofthe Burundi configuration ofthe Peacebuilding Commission, for their insightful briefings on the evolving situation in Burundi and for their unwavering commitment to the process. South Africa takes this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to the Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Burundi for his tireless efforts aimed at leading the supportive role of the United Nations in the inter-Burundian dialogue being led by the East African Community (EAC).”
2019-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8652 (2019) · source
“In accordance with rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of Burundi to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following briefers to participate in this meeting: Mr. Michel Kafando, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Burundi, and His Excellency Mr. Jurg Lauber, Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations, in his capacity as Chair of the Burundi configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2019/837, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Burundi. I now give the floor to Mr. Kafando.”
2019-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8652 (2019) · source
“In conclusion, my country is of the firm view that partnerships for the pursuit of peace and security in Africa can succeed only provided that all partners complement each other, while working towards one common objective of achieving sustainable peace and security. That requires supporting Africa in taking a lead in finding solutions to the conflicts that persist on the continent. Conflict has no boundaries. Its impact reverberates across the world. It is therefore in the interest of all of us to work hard to ensure a safe and prosperous world.”
2019-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8627 (2019) · source
“National ownership and leadership are pertinent to the success of peacebuilding efforts and, most importantly, to preventing countries from relapsing into conflict. We would like to further underline the imperative of involving women on an equal footing in peace and security processes. That is not only limited to countries in conflict but includes all States Members of the United Nations in order to ensure the prominent role of women in issues discussed in institutions such as the Security Council. The inclusion of young people in such processes would of course also be Vital. Such provisions and actions would not merely be for the sake of gender parity in the pursuit of peace but are a necessary requirement for sustainable and effective peace, security and development on the continent.”
2019-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8627 (2019) · source
“It is unfortunate that, despite commitments to that effect, there has not been much progress on the predictable and sustainable funding for AU-led peace support operations from United Nations assessed contributions. Another area of importance to which we would like to see attention given is the need for effective measures for transitions and drawdowns from peacekeeping to post-conflict reconstruction and development. It is vital that efforts be coordinated and harmonized by all relevant stakeholders to ensure that peacebuilding activities are effective and that the peace dividends of such operations are consolidated. The United Nations Peacebuilding Commission and the AU Framework for Post-conflict Reconstruction and Development should work together to provide assistance to post-conflict countries, as requested by many such countries.”
2019-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8627 (2019) · source
“That includes our past deployments to the AU- United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, as well as in Burundi, and our current significant presence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where our troops are part of the highly effective Force Intervention Brigade to build peace in our region. We have also supported peacebuilding in Africa through support for political processes. We will continue such support, including our work to train women leaders in peacekeeping and peacebuilding. However, the threats to peace and security require much more. We need to strengthen the partnership between the United Nations and the AU in achieving our aspirations for a conflict-free and prosperous continent. A key area pertaining to strengthening that relationship is the financing of AU-led peace support operations.”
2019-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8627 (2019) · source
“For its part, the African Union and its subregional organizations have demonstrated leadership by reacting rapidly in order to maintain peace and security on the continent, drawing on their close proximity to the situations and the ability to comprehend internal and regional political dynamics. Since the onset of its young democracy, South Africa has been an active player in the United Nations and the African Union. In recognizing the importance of those multilateral institutions, South Africa has contributed significant resources to both institutions. We have consistently been one of the biggest financial contributors to the African Union. We are also a major contributor to United Nations peacekeeping missions in Africa.”
2019-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8627 (2019) · source
“The impact of such challenges is not only felt on the continent but reverberates to other countries and regions. Concerted efforts and partnerships are needed to deal with all those complex threats, including understanding the conditions that give rise to them. Consequently, for us on the continent to experience sustainable peace and prosperity, the achievement of the continental aspiration envisioned in Agenda 2063 of the African Union and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is required. The United Nations makes a considerable contribution to assisting regional and subregional organizations in Africa to resolve conflict situations, primarily by deploying its envoys and peacekeepers, as well as through the valuable work of the United Nations development system.”
2019-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8627 (2019) · source
“Historically, some of the contributing factors to instability and insecurity on the African continent include poverty, marginalization, inequality, unemployment, a failure to manage diversity, poor governance, the scramble for natural resources, external interference and, more recently, the impact of climate change. Furthermore, the matters of terrorism, Violent extremism and intercommunal violence have perpetuated instability in some parts of the continent, taking advantage of the vacuum created by ongoing conflicts in many areas, as well as the scourge ofpoverty and inequality. Coercive and often unconstitutional changes in Governments through military adventurism have also served to degrade social capital and the economies ofcountries, resulting in widespread violence and humanitarian crises.”
2019-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8627 (2019) · source
“Through the success of such initiatives, the continent has made strides in reducing violent and armed conflicts, guided by the principles of subsidiarity and complementarity between the AU and our regional organizations. However, despite the progress made, the challenges facing the continent are complex and many, involving multiple cross-cutting issues. Those include the building of peace and security, promoting inclusive socioeconomic development and resilience, promoting access to resources and economic opportunity and promoting and entrenching democracy, good governance and respect for humanity.”
2019-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8627 (2019) · source
“At the outset, we must acknowledge the positive strides made by the countries of the continent in realizing the aspirations of the African Union (AU) to silence the guns in Africa by the year 2020 and in pursuing African solutions to African problems. That has led to the resolution of long-standing conflicts that have plagued the continent. Since the transition from the Organization of African Unity to the African Union in 2000, the continent has developed a strong and effective framework for addressing security challenges and threats to Africa. Those frameworks have created a synergy between the AU and the regional mechanisms for conflict prevention, management and resolution.”
2019-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8627 (2019) · source
“Ijoin my colleagues in thanking you, Mr. Minister, for convening this meeting. We appreciate the useful briefings by Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, Chef de Cabinet of the Secretary-General. This is a timely and pertinent debate, as the majority of the Security Council's work is dominated by conflict situations on the African continent. This debate affords us a unique opportunity to reflect on efforts to resolve conflicts in Africa, including by African countries themselves, as well as through partnerships with continental and external role players.”
2019-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8627 (2019) · source
“South Africa therefore remains supportive of counter- terrorism initiatives that focus on prevention measures, addressing conditions that give rise to terrorism and promoting dialogue, tolerance, diversity and understanding among peoples, cultures and religions. South Africa will continue to work with all Members of the United Nations, the African Union, the Southern African Development Community and other relevant parties in addressing the scourge of terrorism and all its attendant manifestations at the regional and international levels.”
2019-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8626 (2019) · source
“The African Union has been proactive in dealing with the threat of terrorism, as evidenced by its normative frameworks developed since 1999, primarily the Organization of African Unity Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism and its related Protocol of 2004, as well as its counter-terrorism strategy, adopted in 2015. Likewise, our own Southern African Development Community also adopted its counter-terrorism framework and strategy in 2015. At the domestic level, South Africa adopted its national counter-terrorism strategy in 2013 and has an active action plan in response to it. South Africa believes that, owing to the very nature of terrorism, it is difficult to defeat it militarily or solely through the use of coercive measures.”
2019-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8626 (2019) · source
“As we ponder solutions to this awful threat, it is essential that we understand and address the root causes and conditions that give rise to terrorism. We should aim to seek political solutions aimed at resolving long-standing conflicts in order to create the necessary conditions for stability and a better future over the long- term. We should seek to address the marginalization of some sectors of the population and socioeconomic and political disparities. More often than not, where there is conflict there may also be a deficit of the rule of law, thus allowing terrorists the space to entrench themselves and expand their activities. We have seen this on the African continent with the devastating effects of terror activities in the Sahel following the conflict in Libya, associated with the free flow of arms and the rise of terror groups.”
2019-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8626 (2019) · source
“This takes into account the volume of African conflict situations on the agenda of the Security Council, as well as the growing threat of terrorism across Africa. Different regions of the world experience the threat posed by terrorist groups and/or the return or relocation of foreign terrorist fighters differently. We encourage the development of partnerships with regional organizations, given their understanding of local and regional dynamics and of what would be required to address the issue. In that regard, the international community must find ways to support the efforts of regional organizations aimed at fighting terrorism and violent extremism, including by sharing experiences and providing technical assistance and adequate resources for capacity-building.”
2019-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8626 (2019) · source
“The collective sharing of experiences and information and the adoption of best practices in dealing with our common threats contribute positively to the development and enhancement of our capabilities. It also improves effectiveness in addressing our specific contexts in countering terrorism. We believe that regional organizations are key partners of the United Nations in that important task. South Africa has consistently prioritized an enhanced strategic partnership between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations, not only in countering terrorism but also in conflict prevention and resolution. As a member of the Council, my country continues to strive for closer partnership between the United Nations and the African Union.”
2019-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8626 (2019) · source
“Continued terrorist attacks across the world have shown us that no nation or region is immune to its threat and there is no short-term solution to countering the threat of terrorism and its devastating consequences. If we are to triumph over this scourge, we will need, in addition to our national efforts, a strengthening of international, regional and subregional cooperation and coordination efforts. A multilateral framework, anchored in the United Nations, remains critical to preventing and countering the diverse and evolving aspects of this threat. With near universal membership, the United Nations is best placed to foster cooperation across the globe, as well as to ensure support to Member States and regions in implementing the United Nations Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy across its four pillars.”
2019-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8626 (2019) · source
“I thank you for this opportunity, Sir. May I congratulate you on your role as President. I wish to begin by thanking the Secretary-General of the United Nations for his briefing and the speakers ofthe various organizations associated with this debate. The debate today affords us an opportunity to reaffirm the value of cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations to address peace and security challenges, including the scourge of terrorism. Terrorism continues to threaten our populations and, on the African continent, has begun to derail our collective efforts to bring about peace, security and sustainable development.”
2019-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8626 (2019) · source