YouSaid · the spoken record

President Obasanjo

lines on the record: 38
first: 2004-05-28
most recent: 2004-09-24
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

“He said that I should include the people of Darfur among my subjects - if President Al-Bashir of the Sudan has no objection. Normally we in Nigeria have no territorial ambitions, but, if anyone wants to cede part of his country to us, we will consider it.”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“We do not have the means, and it is not in our best interest in Africa. As concerns the lifting of sanctions on timber and diamonds in Liberia, I do not see why those sanctions should not be lifted. I think that the reasons for which the sanctions had been imposed have now been overtaken. But if there are others reasons of which I am not aware, I would like to know about them. But I believe that the sanctions can be lifted. I think that I have covered everything. If I have left anything out, please forgive me. Council members have said so much and they have asked so many questions, all of which are very good and very useful. I have taken such copious notes that I have even missed some out. Let me end on a light note. My friend from Romania gave the meaning of my name in my language, and it is almost correct.”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“Concerning the time table for a political settlement at the end of this exercise, I do not believe that one can really set a time table and say, "This is when it will be over". I was talking to the Chairperson of the African Union Commission yesterday, when we were looking at the general programme and seeing what we could do and so on, and I said - as I said earlier in this meeting - that we cannot have a prolonged presence of AU troops or an AU protection force in Darfur. Without wanting to be accused of mentioning timing or a programme, I am looking at a period of six months to get everything done, to be able to normalize and to get the AU forces thinned out. We cannot afford the usual - United Nations forces starting out for six months and remaining for six decades. We just cannot afford that.”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“I will say that we need both a structured relationship, and, where necessary, a case-by-case approach. But there is definitely a need for a structured relationship. The question was asked if the Security Council should visit Darfur. I do not see any reason why, and I do not see any reason why not. The idea of a joint meeting between our own Peace and Security Council in Africa and this body has been mentioned. I believe that it would be a useful meeting, but it must have an agenda: what it aims to achieve. If the goal is just for us to come here to have a wonderful time in New York, I would say no. If the goal is just for you to come to Addis Ababa and have a wonderful time with us, I would say no. It must be well prepared. What do we want to achieve? What areas do we want to cover, and what is the objective at the end of the day?”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“Now you are putting us to the test, saying, "We will give you the tools; you do the job." We have to make sure that that job is properly done, because, otherwise, we will hear, "Well, we have given you the tools, and you have made it a mess of it." We do not want to do that, so we want adequate tools and the organization that will match the work we have to do, and we want to be able to do that work smartly and expeditiously, and then say to the world, "We have done the job. Thank you for helping us to do the job and to achieve what we have achieved." As to what else can be done, I wish to thank Brazil, who rightly noted that we must have early warning and that we must be proactive. There must be enhanced cooperation between the Council and the new Africa. Should it be on a case-by-case basis?”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“Once the implementation has started, the Government of the Sudan must take responsibility for the welfare, well- being, protection and security of all its people. That brings me to another issue. This is a challenge for us in Africa and for the African Union. We have never undertaken anything like this before, and therefore we are not underestimating what it involves: command and control. We have never done this before - troops from four, five or six missions operating together under a unified command in Africa. We have never done this before, so it will tax all our resources and capacities. It will require all our experience to do this. We have been saying to the world: "Give us the tools, and we will do the job".”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“This will include soldiers and possibly some form of fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters. There will be some police, some observers and some civilian personnel. All this will be under the auspices of the AU. For us, the number is not the issue. I hope that the Government of Sudan will understand that the number is not the issue. For us, there are two issues: first, where we will get the numbers from, and, secondly, the resources - the logistics - to back up those numbers. We believe also that we cannot engage in an interminable operation in the Sudan or in Darfur. We should have these troops - or forces, or police - until such time as a permanent political arrangement is agreed upon and implemented.”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“I believe that we must be able to tell them all, evenhandedly and collectively, where they are wrong. We must say to them: "Where you are wrong, you are wrong. And where you are wrong, you will be punished, unless you change. You will be encouraged to change. And where you fail to change, you will be punished." I believe that this is very important. We, the African Union, have agreed to move in. Now, you ask how many people we are. We are about 3,500 - maybe a few more. That number includes what we call a protection force. This protection force will include both military troops and police. Maybe it will be a little larger, but I think Jan Pronk's report was recommended about 5,000. Initially, we were talking about 3,000. We definitely will require between 3,000 and 5,000.”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“Whatever else we may do, as the AU or the United Nations or the Security Council itself, it is up to us to help the Sudanese Government in taking responsibility for its people. The Sudanese Government must accept that. It must see a role, in that sense, and then there is no question of our being intruders. I do not see myself as an intruder in Sudan. And, in any case, we in the AU now have a Constitutive Act that does not regard an African troop anywhere in Africa as a foreign troop. This must, of course, be respected. Having said this, we must make sure that we are even-handed. A situation where some of us are seen as backing the rebels and others backing the Government is not acceptable. That erodes our credibility, collectively or individually.”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“It might be poor or inadequate, sometimes tied up with an inadequate availability of resources. Having talked generally about actions in Sudan, let me turn to specifics on Darfur. Council members have rightly said that the immediate objective is to stop the killing. There cannot be any further procrastination or delay. We have to stop the killing by, first of all, holding the Government of Sudan responsible to its population. For the function of any Government is the welfare and well-being of all its citizens. It should provide security and protection to all its citizens. This is a Government's primary responsibility. And the Sudanese Government cannot be exempt from that rule.”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“After more than 20 years, a solution is being found for the south in a comprehensive form that will make that country more united and, at the same time, possibly better governed. I see that, in one form or the other, there was also a similar exercise in a defence context in the Nuba mountains. Another similar exercise in a different form has been achieved in the southern Blue Nile region. Maybe, in whatever form, that sort of solution may have to be applied in Darfur. Speaking generally, that is the situation in Sudan. The political problem there must be resolved. We must be ready to support that country's efforts to raise its living standard. We have to help with the economic and social aspects of the lives of the average Sudanese, because, as I said earlier on, the cause of conflict may be, in a word, governance.”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“As we know, the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) was adopted by the United Nations, by the G-8, by the World Bank, by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and by the African Development Bank (ADB). But adoption is not enough. It must be actualized. NEPAD must be embraced and brought to fruition under the auspices of the AU socio-economic programme for development. As for Sudan, what do we need there? The point has been made that the negotiations that started on resolving the conflict in the south have not been completed. They must be completed. I believe that the completion of those negotiations, which have been halted - I hope they will start again early next month - will have a salutary effect on Darfur. A solution will also have a salutary effect on other areas of Sudan.”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“For example, an office of the Secretary-General is assigned to the situation in Africa on a permanent basis. This office needs to be equipped so that it can not only report, but also be proactive. The point about early warning and proactive measures was made earlier. We need early warnings ourselves at the African Union level, at the subregional level and at the national level. The Council needs those early warnings here as well, to be able to observe that it knows of one or two countries, for example, where, if things continue to deteriorate, we may have another Somalia on our hands. If we are aware of such situations, then what must we do - at our own level, at that of the AU and that of the Council - to prevent a crisis? This is what I have to say about what can be done.”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“Then we have a programme that took us time to build up and which came up at about the same time as the African Union: the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). So we have a new continental organization in the African Union and a continental programme in NEPAD to bring us forward. If we talk about a new Africa politically, what reform do we need? Continentally, subregionally, internally in our countries - what reform do we need economically, continentally, subregionally? We need regional economic communities and national economic communities in our countries. We need to have a package of desirable reforms that would lead us away from where we are. I see that we already have a number of measures here at the United Nations. My belief is that the Council should support those measures.”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“A group of people may feel that, no matter what they do, they will not be able to raise themselves up, so they give up in desperation and say to themselves: "Well, if that is the case, let us give it up and die". I believe therefore that we need to look at these problems, ask ourselves where we can put our finger to make Africa do what it needs to do for itself, then help Africa to do what it needs to do for itself. As was mentioned by one representative here, we have started. The African Union (AU) itself is an acknowledgement by us in Africa that the continental organization that took us thus far could not lead us beyond where it took us. We need, if you will, a reformed organization or a new organization that has greater teeth and a greater ability to take us beyond where we reached with the Organization of African Unity.”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“The African issues today are issues of conflict, issues of poverty, issues of development and issues of employment. How did those issues come about? Those issues came about because, for too long, Africa was living in an unequal world and Africa did not realize early enough that it was living in an unequal world. To me, that is putting it as it is. If that is the case, how can we make a little bit more available to Africa to correct the situation in Africa as it stands today? When we look at the conflicts, what are the main causes? One cause is governance and what I call, for lack of a better way of describing it, hopelessness - hopelessness in the political area, hopelessness in the economic area, hopelessness in the social area.”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“President Obasanjo: I want to thank all the members of the Council for their interest in and the insight they have shown about the situation generally in Africa and in Darfur in particular. While I cannot address their questions one by one, I will probably deal with most of them in a general way and take a few of them specifically because they are specific. Let us look at the question of what the Security Council can do in Africa. As members have kindly pointed out, 60 per cent of the time of the Council is now being devoted to African issues. If that is the case, how can we ensure that whatever time is thus devoted is fruitfully devoted? If possible, can we also reduce the amount of time of this body that is being devoted to African issues? What, really, are the African issues today? Let us not go into what brought them about.”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“Of course, as I have said very often, there will be a need for adequate logistic backing for what the African Union has to do in Darfur.”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“That is what I would say: until we are able, together, to resolve the problem of Darfur, we will never be able to say we have done enough - we will never be able to say, "Yes, here is uhura, here is freedom". But I would say, yes, we are doing a great deal of what we need to do. I would also say, here and now, that, with all due respect, the five permanent members of the Council should really work together. A situation in which it appears that one country is supporting the rebels - they call themselves "resistance fighters" - and another country is seen as supporting the Government of Sudan does not provide uniform backing for putting uniform pressure on the two sides, the Government and the rebels. And we need to do that.”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“President Obasanjo: In response to the question about what the Security Council should be doing that it is not doing, I would say that it is doing a lot. There is a proverb in my part of the world concerning lice. They may be in your clothes, in your bed - everywhere. Lice do not die easily. So when you find one, you have to put it on your fingernail and press it with another fingernail to kill it. And when you have done so, you see a little blood on your fingernail. The saying is that, as long as you have lice in your clothes, your fingernails will never be free of blood. We have lice in our clothes in Darfur, and therefore there will always be blood on our fingernails. Until we get rid of the lice, our fingernails will not be without blood.”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“We urge the Security Council to continue its current positive role in support of these efforts, and the international community at large to increase their level of assistance, especially in the areas of capacity- building and infrastructure development, to ensure the achievement of social and economic development in Africa. That is the surest way for us to arrest crises and instability on our continent. I wish to assure you that Africa will continue to cooperate with the Council in the pursuit of economic development, stability, peace and security for Africa.”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“An early and favourable decision of the Council on that matter would ensure that our shared goals for peace and security in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are attained. We are in a new Africa. This is an Africa that believes firmly in democracy, human rights, economic reform, partnership and sustainable development. The African Union has, of its own volition, fully embraced the challenges of peace and security in our region. Across the length and breadth of the continent, African leaders have - with courage, and in the face of overwhelming odds - initiated and implemented policies to strengthen democratic governance and the rule of law and to enhance the peace and security of the peoples in our respective countries.”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“We also acknowledge the recent decision of the Council, in its resolution 1562 (2004), to extend the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone. The positive developments in that country are indicative of what can be achieved when the international community works together, and collaborates proactively with subregional and regional actors in pursuit of common goals. In a similar vein, the African Union appreciates the efforts of the United Nations in the Great Lakes region, including the Democratic Republic of Congo. The enormity of the challenges confronting the Government and people of that country cannot be overemphasized. We welcome the Secretary-General's recommendation to expand the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“I believe that this has helped not only to inform the Council of the magnitude of the challenges involved in arresting the deteriorating situation in that region of Sudan, but has also helped to mobilize support of the international community. It is a matter of satisfaction for us in Africa that the peace process in Liberia is now irreversible. In that connection, we welcome the recent decision of the Council, by its resolution 1561 (2004) of 17 September 2004, to extend the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Liberia. What is now required of the international community is to stay the course so that our collective investment in peace is not in vain and our achievements are sustained.”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“The African Union has been seized with other issues that affect peace and security on our continent. As the Council is no doubt aware, the African Union has now established the Peace and Security Council, a major organ which focuses on peace and security issues in our region. That Council has become operational. We are grateful to the Secretary-General for the assistance that he provided our organization in that regard and we look forward to a close working relationship between that organ and the Security Council. Let me also convey Africa's appreciation to the Secretary-General for his personal interest in and quick response to the situation in Darfur.”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“I therefore urge donors and the international community to increase the present level of assistance to the African Union. I wish to acknowledge the collective wisdom of the Security Council, which, by its resolution 1564 (2004) of 18 September 2004, not only underscored the importance of such assistance but also welcomed the leadership role and engagement of the African Union in addressing the situation in Darfur, as well as pledging support for the African Union in its resolve to enhance its presence there. The expansion of the African Union presence, called for in the resolution, is, indeed, welcome; but it can only be realized through sustained financial backing. We should avoid a situation where African Union troops on the ground are handicapped owing to a lack of requisite financial resources and logistical support.”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“On behalf of the African Union, I wish to place on record our appreciation of the humanitarian assistance being provided to refugees and internally displaced persons by donors and the international community. An economically strong and viable Sudan will definitely be at peace with itself and the international community. Against the background of the challenges that the Darfur conflict poses for our region, there is a need to go beyond the provision of humanitarian assistance. The capacity of the AU should be enhanced and strengthened through the provision of logistical support, as well as the training and deployment of personnel. In addition, there is the need to provide the African Union with the wherewithal to effectively carry out its current tasks, including the maintenance of a force of about 3,000 troops.”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“The African Union is conscious of the important collaborative role that the international community, and particularly the United Nations, through the Security Council, has played and can continue to play in enhancing our peace efforts in Darfur. That is why I apprised the Council of developments on the Abuja peace talks through my letter on the subject, which was copied to the Council. We are determined to usher in an era of peace in Darfur because we believe that the peace and security of Sudan will have a positive impact on the subregion, on the African continent, and, indeed, on the world. It is essential, therefore, that our efforts be complemented and that we do not work at cross purposes.”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“The parties further agreed to maintain the civilian character of internally displaced persons; to ensure the rights of internally displaced persons and refugees to return to their areas of origin; to protect the rights of internally displaced persons and refugees in their areas of origin in order to enable them to return, should they choose to do so; and to ensure that all forces and individuals involved or reported to be involved in violations of rights of internally displaced persons, vulnerable groups and other civilians will be transparently investigated and held accountable by the appropriate authorities. The proposal on security issues is on the table. The resistance movement requested a recess to enable them to brief their colleagues outside the venue of the talks and a one-month recess was agreed to.”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“On the issue of the protection of civilians, the protocol reaffirmed the commitment of the parties to take all necessary measures to prevent all attacks, threats, intimidation and any other form of violence against civilians, by any party or group, including the Janjaweed and other militias. It also provided for the protection of the property and livelihood of individuals and communities, and ensures that the principle of voluntary return is fully respected and complied with, consistent with general United Nations return principles.”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“After agreeing to a four-point agenda on humanitarian issues, security issues, political arrangements and economic and social arrangements, the parties moved to consider the first item - humanitarian issues. We were able to persuade the parties to agree on a protocol that guarantees unimpeded and unrestricted access for humanitarian workers and assistance to all internally displaced persons and refugees. Specifically, the agreement would allow the United Nations and other non-governmental humanitarian assistance organizations to travel along routes proposed by the United Nations, without restrictions or escorts, in order to deliver assistance to areas controlled by any party as well as facilitate all activities undertaken.”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“It is the conviction of the leadership of the African Union that linkages between peace, security and development should be maintained if the objectives of the international community are to be realized, as envisaged in the Millennium Development Goals. This is consistent with the ideals of the New Partnership for Africa's Development. Let me now address the most recent major initiative that the African Union has taken on Darfur under my chairmanship. I refer to the peace talks in Abuja, coordinated by the Government of Nigeria, between the Government of the Sudan, the Sudan Liberation Army and the Justice and Equality Movement - all under the auspices of the African Union. The negotiation was, as expected, not easy.”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“It is with satisfaction that I observe that the African Union received the cooperation of the Government of Sudan, and quickly mobilized and dispatched observers to the region. Subsequently, the Peace and Security Council of the African Union coordinated yet another round of negotiations, in Addis Ababa in July 2004. The subsequent Addis Ababa agreement reinforced the N'Djamena accord by enhancing security in Darfur and facilitating humanitarian assistance to the victims. I wish to stress that, in all these efforts of the African Union, the preoccupation has been the achievement of peace, security and development in Darfur and in the Sudan as a whole.”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“It is against that background that, at the recent summit held in Addis Ababa last July, African leaders resolved to confront the problem in all its ramifications - military, political, economic and social. A major outcome of our deliberations on that occasion was the constitution of the AU Observer Protection Force in Darfur. Much earlier, in the face of the unfolding grave humanitarian crisis in that region, the AU had initiated a peace process which culminated in the signing, in N'Djamena, in April 2004, of the Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement. That Agreement provided for a Ceasefire Monitoring Committee, with the mandate to report to a Joint Commission consisting of the parties, Chadian mediators and the international community.”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“President Obasanjo: I wish to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month and to thank you for the opportunity to address this gathering on an issue that is of paramount importance to Africa and indeed, as we have just heard from the Secretary-General of our Organization, of paramount importance to the world. May I also compliment the Russian Federation on the able manner in which it conducted the affairs of the Council last month. The situation in Darfur poses serious challenges to the African Union (AU) and to the international community. It is therefore fitting that it has, in recent months, engaged the attention of all those who desire peace and stability in our continent and, indeed, in the world.”
2004-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5043 (2004) · source
“I would like to conclude on a point that is easily overlooked. Giving thought to better crisis management, as we are doing today, implies the recognition that, all too often, conflict prevention is failing. Crisis prevention - based on early warning, the vigilance and determination of effective and well- legitimized United Nations bodies, credible deterrence whenever feasible, and universally accepted norms - must remain at the core of our endeavours.”
2004-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4980 (2004) · source
“That point has been given considerable emphasis in the context of our deliberations on justice, the rule of law and national reconciliation. Our debate on the role that the private sector can play in addressing conflict and post-conflict situations has been yet another opportunity to demonstrate the complementarity between State and non-State efforts. The Council already has some experience in bringing together State and non-State stakeholders, be it through the convening of Arria-type Council meetings or the very effective collaboration of interested Member States, United Nations system stakeholders and non-governmental organizations, such as on the issue of children and armed conflict. We encourage not only the Council, but indeed the United Nations as a whole, to further explore such approaches.”
2004-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4980 (2004) · source
“President Obasanjo: "Africa is poised for action". The international community should stand ready to assist regional arrangements in their needs for capacity- building, when necessary and appropriate. The third point is that the United Nations is increasingly called upon to look beyond its intergovernmental horizons. The emergence of non- State actors is not only a debit on the challenges side of the equation, it is also - and perhaps much more so - an asset on the side of expertise, public communication and action. While decision-making in the United Nations will remain the business of Governments, the integration of non-State stakeholders and non-State expertise in the deliberative process is in everybody's best interest: in the interest of informed decision- making and in the interest of popular acceptance.”
2004-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4980 (2004) · source