YouSaid · the spoken record

Sison

lines on the record: 852
first: 2014-12-22
most recent: 2018-01-23
sittings or episodes: 124
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

“Today, we are witnessing increasing depravity from Al-Shabaab as it intensifies its asymmetric attacks against civilian targets, security services and Government officials. We must maintain robust counter-AI-Shabaab efforts to prevent backsliding on the tentative security gains achieved in recent years. The cycle of violence in Somalia and the region cannot be broken without good governance. We strongly support President Farmajo's and Prime Minister Khayre's focus on combatting corruption, and welcome the new Federal Government of Somalia's financial disclosure and code of conduct requirements for ministers. We are ready to lend greater support to strengthen the Federal Government's fiscal transparency and oversight efforts.”
2017-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7925 (2017) · source
“I would also like to thank the Somalia-Eritrea Monitoring Group for its efforts to report on the implementation of the sanctions and to keep the Council and the Sanctions Committee informed on a range of issues affecting the Horn of Africa, including counter-Al-Shabaab efforts, corruption, piracy, international human rights and humanitarian law violations, and violations of the sanctions measures. Turning first to Somalia, the Chairman's briefing highlighted many of the ongoing reasons why the Council must remain committed to supporting Somali efforts to pave the way towards a stable, prosperous and peaceful future. We share Ambassador Umarov's concern about the ongoing threat Al-Shabaab poses to Somalia and the region.”
2017-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7925 (2017) · source
“I shall now make a statement in my capacity as representative of the United States. I would like to thank Ambassador Umarov for his briefing. We warmly welcome him in his new role as Chair of the Committee pursuant to resolutions 751 (1992) and 1907 (2009) concerning Somalia and Eritrea, and have full confidence in his ability to lead the Committee as it oversees the important role these sanctions play in advancing peace and security in the Horn of Africa.”
2017-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7925 (2017) · source
“In accordance with rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Djibouti, Eritrea and Somalia to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. At this meeting, the Security Council will hear a briefing by His Excellency Mr. Kairat Umarov, Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan, in his capacity as Chair of the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 751 (1992) and 1907 (2009) concerning Somalia and Eritrea. I now give the floor to Ambassador Kairat Umarov.”
2017-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7925 (2017) · source
“We are here to make things work, and, if they do not work, we need to change them. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I now give the floor to the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2017-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7923 (2017) · source
“We are grateful to President Mkapa for his facilitation ofthe inter-Burundian dialogue, but stronger and more sustained leadership from the region will be necessary to generate the pressure needed on both sides to make the dialogue a success and ensure that the crisis in Burundi does not become an increasing source of instability for the region. The current situation in Burundi is not sustainable or acceptable. We know that Special Envoy Djinnit has a very challenging job. We will continue to work with him and our allies to advanced stability in the Great Lakes region, but those efforts cannot advance without strong and consistent engagement from the region. I urge him to continue engaging all of the stakeholders in the region to reinforce the importance of following through on the commitments that they have made.”
2017-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7923 (2017) · source
“Their arrival in the Democratic Republic of the Congo comes at a time of increasing inter-ethnic violence. We echo the Secretary-General's call for the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the leadership of the former M23 to resume their implementation of the Nairobi declaration and ask Special Envoy Djinnit to redouble his efforts in support of these and other efforts aimed at reducing the threat of armed groups. Now is the time to advance the agreements and processes that chart a path towards peace. We must see honest, good-faith efforts by all countries in the region to repatriate combatants and stop support for armed groups. The problems are there, and they are at risk of growing. In our focus on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we must not lose sight of continuing challenges in Burundi.”
2017-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7923 (2017) · source
“We are also pleased that there have been some improvements in relations among the Great Lakes countries, most notably between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. However, we share the concern of the Secretary- General, as mentioned in his recent report (S/2017/208), that the continued presence of armed groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the wider region pose acute challenges. In the last six months, we have seen Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) and South Sudanese fighters cross into the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These militants are in addition to Allied Democratic Forces, Forces Democratiques de Liberation du Rwanda and Lord's Resistance Army fighters, and numerous local militias that are already operating in the region.”
2017-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7923 (2017) · source
“The United States continues to urge both the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the opposition to resolve outstanding issues, make concessions and work constructively in the implementation of the agreement. It remains clear that our collective efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo must be matched with strong simultaneous efforts to address all the regional sources of instability. Now more than ever we need the focus of Special Envoy Djinnit to be on addressing problems related to the armed groups operating in the region and the legacies ofpast conflicts. In this regard, we appreciate the efforts made over the past six months to reform the Government structures of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework and to reinvigorate its implementation.”
2017-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7923 (2017) · source
“We recognize the importance of investigating these atrocities and urge the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to work with and not act as an impediment to MONUSCO and other relevant parts of the United Nations to swiftly conduct these investigations. We are also deeply disappointed by the lack of progress in the implementation of the 31 December political agreement between the Government and the opposition. We continue to support this agreement, which represents the best path forward for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including for ensuring upcoming elections and a peaceful transition of power.”
2017-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7923 (2017) · source
“I shall now make a statement in my capacity as representative of the United States. I thank Special Envoy Djinnit for his work to advance the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region. Two weeks ago, we renewed the mandate of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). That vote was an important step in reinvigorating efforts to set the Democratic Republic of the Congo on a path towards a democratic transition of power. That is the only way to ensure the long-term stability of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Certainly the challenges in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are immense, and we are deeply disturbed by the violence and reports of mass graves in the Kasais.”
2017-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7923 (2017) · source
“I thank Mr. Djinnit for his briefing. I now give the floor to the members of the Security Council who wish to make statements.”
2017-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7923 (2017) · source
“In accordance with rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council's provisional rules ofprocedure, I invite Mr. Said Djinnit, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region, to participate in this meeting. 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/2017/208, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region. I now give the floor to Mr. Djinnit.”
2017-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7923 (2017) · source
“There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. Given that all Council members have spoken in the Chamber, and with their agreement, we will forgo moving to consultations this afternoon. The meeting rose at 4.25 pm.”
2017-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7916 (2017) · source
“For Colombia, this is one of those moments. The United States stands with Colombia in building lasting peace for its citizens. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I give the floor to the representative of Colombia.”
2017-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7916 (2017) · source
“It is no secret that, as the FARC move into demobilization zones, they leave behind remote, lawless areas that have been largely untouched by the Colombian Government. The political vacuum that that has created is a dangerous threat to long-term peace. It must be filled before other armed groups, including drug traffickers, step in. To that end, the United States continues to enjoy strong cooperation with Colombia in combating drug trafficking. We are providing assistance to the Government in fulfilling the Peace Agreement so as to end Colombia's illicit drug problem. We hope and expect that progress will continue. As we have discussed today, much good has been done, but much more remains to be done. During the time during which I have been here, I have learned that moments of hope and promise are truly moments to be savoured.”
2017-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7916 (2017) · source
“We are thankful for both the process that they have established and the cooperation that they have achieved. We urge both sides to build on that momentum so as to move forward more quickly. As the Security Council looks forward to continuing its support for Colombia through monitoring the next stage of the peace process, we must keep in mind the principles of effectiveness that the Council has developed. I believe that those are the building blocks of continued success in achieving lasting peace. Lasting peace in Colombia means that the Government will need to extend its authority throughout the entire State. All parties must now work with the Government to make that happen.”
2017-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7916 (2017) · source
“They must enjoy the cooperation of the host countries. They must have clear realistic goals with identifiable exit strategies. And we as a body must be able to adjust those missions to fit new realities. I want to congratulate the Monitoring and Verification Mechanism in Colombia for meeting those and additional criteria. The Mission has all the pieces in place for a successful outcome. It has a carefully designed mandate to support a clear and established peace process. It also has a clear deadline for the demobilization and disarmament of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC). In that regard, I was pleased to hear that both sides are working together towards the implementation of the Peace Agreement as quickly as possible.”
2017-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7916 (2017) · source
“I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of the United States. I thank Special Representative of the Secretary- General Arnault for his briefing. Americans are grieving today along with Colombians for the lives lost in the terrible mudslides this past weekend. We express our heartfelt condolences to the people of Colombia who were affected by that tragedy. Special Representative Arnault is playing a critical role in supporting the implementation of the historic Final Peace Agreement. As my colleagues know, we have begun a review of United Nations peacekeeping missions. Although the Colombia Mission is not a peacekeeping mission, the same principles of effectiveness and accountability apply. To be effective, missions must have a solid political foundation on which to build.”
2017-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7916 (2017) · source
“In accordance with rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of Colombia to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council's provisional rules ofprocedure, I invite Mr. Jean Arnault, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission in Colombia, to participate in this meeting. 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/2017/252, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Mission in Colombia. I now give the floor to Mr. Arnault.”
2017-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7916 (2017) · source
“The United States looks forward to strengthened international cooperation and to finding new channels of cooperation for the protection and preservation of cultural heritage in armed conflicts in order to preserve this priceless inheritance for future generations.”
2017-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7907 (2017) · source
“Growing international coordination and cooperation among law enforcement and other agencies enabled the United States to take direct action in order to seek the recovery of these items. We believe that there are no one-size-fits-all strategies for cultural heritage preservation in armed conflict. Complex situations around the world warrant a variety of responses. Many States have demonstrated the ability to safeguard their cultural treasures in conflict zones during times of crisis. It is a long- standing United States policy to preserve cultural heritage in situ whenever possible, thereby avoiding the need to remove cultural property from its country of origin.”
2017-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7907 (2017) · source
“The policy of the United States Government is clear. The unlawful destruction or trafficking of cultural heritage is deplorable. We unequivocally oppose it and we will take all feasible steps to halt, limit and discourage it. The United States seeks to hold accountable those who engage in the illegal trade of cultural property and the perpetrators of deliberate cultural heritage destruction. Enhanced international law enforcement cooperation to counter these destructive and destabilizing activities is already showing results. For example, the United States shared information with our international partners about the activities of the deceased Abu Sayyaf, a former high-ranking ISIS official who was responsible for financing the group's terrorist activities, including through the illicit sale of antiquities.”
2017-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7907 (2017) · source
“The United States thanks the Governments of France and Italy for taking the initiative to rally the international community to protect our world's common heritage from being used to further armed conflicts. Over the past two decades, we have seen damage to and destruction of our shared cultural heritage on an unprecedented scale. Those engaged in conflict and terror deliberately destroy cultural property to create fear, undermine Governments and cause animosity among different groups within a society. The wanton devastation by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham (ISIS), Al-Qaida and others in Iraq and Syria, by the Taliban in Afghanistan, and by other groups elsewhere has taken a devastating toll not only on human lives, but also on our common cultural heritage. This destruction tears at the very fabric of our societies.”
2017-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7907 (2017) · source
“Similarly, our unanimously adopted sanctions resolution 2206 (2015) gives us the ability to designate individuals whose actions or policies threaten peace in South Sudan, including those who obstruct the activities of international peacekeeping or humanitarian missions, those whose actions or policies expand the conflict and those who engage in the targeting of civilians, including women and girls. Finally, I would like to say a word about accountability. Progress in establishinga hybrid court for South Sudan is desperately needed, and we urge the African Union and South Sudan to expedite progress on that important mechanism in the coming months. Peace and justice can and should be pursued simultaneously.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7906 (2017) · source
“The international community must make use of all of the tools at its disposal to address the crisis in South Sudan and the many obstructions to the work of UNMISS. We have received warning after warning about the prospect for further mass atrocities, but we do not need such warnings to know that the sustained level of violence and ongoing atrocities in South Sudan are beyond unacceptable. As has been noted, an arms embargo is one tool that the Council could use to address the ongoing violence in South Sudan.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7906 (2017) · source
“We welcome the continued commitment of the United Nations and regional organizations to peace and stability in South Sudan, and we look to the shuttle diplomacy of the African Union High Representative to South Sudan, President Konare, and to full engagement on the part of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development to yield results in the next month. It is against that backdrop that the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the peacekeeping mission authorized by the Council, is being prevented by both Government and opposition forces from fully carrying out its mandate. Moreover, the Council-authorized regional protection force has encountered unacceptable delays in deploying. The Council should take seriously this deliberate repudiation of its Chapter VII mandate.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7906 (2017) · source
“It is not the first time in this now three-year- old conflict that Government forces have employed a scorched-earth campaign. Since September 2016 alone, almost 17,000 structures have been destroyed in just part of the former state of Central Equatoria. Our goals are clear. The parties must cease hostilities, engage in meaningful and inclusive dialogue and deliver on their repeated promises to allow unfettered access for humanitarian organizations. Any political process must be truly inclusive of all South Sudanese voices in order to be sustainable and credible. Dialogue must complement the peace agreement, the core elements of which include a permanent ceasefire, power-sharing and critical reforms - a road map to lasting peace.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7906 (2017) · source
“In the past three weeks alone, 40,000 South Sudanese have been displaced to Uganda, with almost 500,000 displaced since last July. There are almost 5 million people facing severe hunger, and famine has been declared in two counties, with the very real prospect that it will spread. The famine is not a result of drought; it is the result of leaders who are more interested in political power and personal gain than in stopping violence and allowing humanitarian access. The Government's continued unconscionable impediments to humanitarians seeking access to assist famine-stricken populations may amount to deliberate starvation tactics. There are reports of civilians being deliberately targeted on an ethnic basis, rampant sexual violence, widespread unlawful recruitment of child soldiers, the destruction of homes and the looting of property.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7906 (2017) · source
“I thank President Mogae and Ms. Sunday for their briefings. We are outraged by the events unfolding in South Sudan, especially the widespread violence, ongoing atrocities and obstruction of humanitarian access. Rather than committing to the ceasefire called for in the 2015 peace agreement endorsed by the Security Council, South Sudan's leaders, both in Government and in opposition movements, have chosen to undertake new military offensives and orchestrate militia attacks, placing their own interests above those of their people. Last December, some colleagues in the Security Council arguedthat pressure wouldbe counterproductive because it would block a renewed political process, but there has been no progress since December. Instead, the situation has deteriorated and is even more grave now. There is ongoing and active fighting.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7906 (2017) · source
“We hope that we will emerge from the conference with a shared path for the next phase of supporting Somalia's development, while addressing urgent humanitarian needs and building on the recent political and security successes that give us hope that a brighter future is possible for the Somali people.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7905 (2017) · source
“Strong Somali leadership from Villa Somalia and Parliament is needed to begin the constitutional review process that will formalize State formation and provide a legal foundation for Somali institutions. A spirit of reconciliation must undergird those efforts to ensure inclusiveness. It is crucial that the Somali Government also protect its citizenry and prevent the unlawful use and recruitment of child soldiers, sexual and gender- based violence, and the harassment of journalists by security forces. We look forward to the London conference on Somalia as an opportunity for the Federal Government of Somalia and its international partners to reach agreement on the key issues that we have discussed here today.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7905 (2017) · source
“To that end, we encourage President Farmajo to work with the Somali regional presidents to reach agreement on a national architecture for the Somali National Army and security forces. Somalia's international partners must carefully consider how best to provide coordinated support to Somalia's security sector. If we are frank, we must recognize that at times our efforts to train and equip the Somalia National Army have not translated directly into sustainable gains. Security assistance works well when donors coordinate closely behind a Somali- led process, and we have welcomed intensified donor coordination in recent months under the auspices of the "S6" mechanism.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7905 (2017) · source
“We recognize that AMISOM. cannot stay in Somalia forever and, in that regard, joint planning between the United Nations and the African Union to identify AMISOM's immediate needs has become increasingly important. The upcoming joint United Nations-African Union review of AMISOM. will be an opportunity to assess Somalia's comprehensive security needs and identify a way forward for AMISOM. Given the severity of the remaining security challenges in Somalia, we do not believe that it is appropriate at this time to transition to a United Nations peacekeeping mission. AMISOM. should continue its principal mission - to reduce the threat of Al-Shabaab - while setting the conditions for a successful security transition.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7905 (2017) · source
“We are especially troubled by Al-Shabaab's increasing depravity as it intensifies its asymmetric attacks on civilians, security services and Government officials. We condemn Tuesday's car-bomb attack in Mogadishu's Hamar Weyne district, and we offer our condolences to the families of the victims. We urge AMISOM. and the Somali security forces to be proactive in efforts to disrupt Al-Shabaab and to deter other terrorist organizations from gaining a foothold in Somalia. The United States continues to engage with partners in working towards a suitable solution to the issue of AMISOM. troop stipends. The United States provides substantial assistance, including equipment, to the militaries of many AMISOM. troop-contributing countries. We encourage donors to contribute to the trust fund for AMISOM. and the Somali National Army.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7905 (2017) · source
“Let me assure President Farmajo and the people of Somalia of continued support from the United States. An immediate challenge facing the people of Somalia is the worsening hunger crisis, of course. More than half of Somalia's population needs food, water and health services now and, as we have just heard today, only 32 per cent of the needed $825 million has been received. We must aggressively pursue all funding streams to meet these urgent needs if we hope to mitigate the possibility of another famine. We urge the Somali federal and State authorities to do everything possible to remove bureaucratic impediments to the movement of humanitarian assistance and, with the support of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), to establish conditions conducive to the unhindered delivery of critical humanitarian supplies.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7905 (2017) · source
“As others have done before me, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to our close friends in the United Kingdom in connection with the terrorist attack yesterday in London. We pledge our full cooperation and support in responding to the attack and in bringing those responsible to justice. I thank the President of the Council for the United Kingdom's leadership on Somalia. I am also grateful to Special Representative Keating and Special Representative Madeira for their briefings. We were honoured by President Farmajo's participation today, and look forward to working closely with him and his Cabinet. There is a difficult job ahead, with formidable humanitarian and security challenges complicating the already daunting tasks of building State institutions and extending services to communities throughout Somalia.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7905 (2017) · source
“I would also like to take a moment to note that this week marked one year since the passage of resolution 2272 (2016) on sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers. MINUSCA has taken steps in the right direction but we have not yet wiped out the problem. We must remain dedicated to preventing acts of sexual exploitation and abuse, holding perpetrators to account and helping victims receive the assistance that they need. In closing, we look forward to working to make MINUSCA an even more efficient and more effective peacekeeping mission.”
2017-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7901 (2017) · source
“MINUSCA's early programmes that preceded the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process in some of the Central African Republic's most fragile areas and its innovative community violence-reduction programmes have laid the foundation for a stronger partnership between the Central African Republic and the international community on more robust strategic planning and reforms. When we see violence like the recent confrontations in Bambari, we are reminded that we still have much work to do. We commend MINUSCA for its willingness to take risks for its support for the Government, for its protection of civilians and for the provision of security in the Central African Republic.”
2017-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7901 (2017) · source
“There cannot be parts of the Central African Republic that citizens are afraid to travel to or enclaves they are afraid to leave. We envision a day in which diverse, professional, well-trained Central African Republic security forces are composed of citizens of different religions and backgrounds and can ably protect the entirety of the country. We commend the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) for its efforts to work hand in hand with the Central African Republic Government to rebuild its security services in a way that mentors and truly builds the capacity of the police, gendarmerie and military.”
2017-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7901 (2017) · source
“Armed actors must understand that their future lies not in being militants on the margins of society but in being productive contributing citizens of the Central African Republic. Their future, security and livelihoods are intertwined with the stabilization and long-term recovery of the Central African Republic. This process is not easy. It does not happen quickly, and it does not involve overlooking crimes by allowing for blanket amnesty. But we also need to acknowledge that members of armed groups are often unwilling to disarm until they know that they will have a role and a voice in their Government, including in the security sector. We will continue to urge that security services be fully vetted, ethnically representative and regionally balanced, in order to achieve an equitable distribution.”
2017-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7901 (2017) · source
“We look forward to his leadership and his vision as he works to extend State authority, build institutions, fight impunity, promote reconciliation and disarm armed groups, with support from his friends and partners. The United States has committed to helping him rebuild and professionalize the armed forces, police and gendarmerie, consistent with his national security policy and with the five-year Recovery and Peacebuilding Plan. We believe that a genuine disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation process can be accomplished and sustained only alongside genuine security sector reform. With reference to the demobilization, reintegration and repatriation process, we agree that the Government of the Central African Republic must be able to exercise authority over its entire territory.”
2017-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7901 (2017) · source
“I thank President Touadera for briefing us this afternoon here in the Security Council and for his tireless efforts to advance peace and development in the Central African Republic. We know the challenges he faces are many, but we know also that he has already consolidated gains. We stand ready to work with him to rebuild the Central African Republic. I also thank Under-Secretary- General Ladsous and Ambassador Hilale for their briefings. We welcome the many commitments made by the Central African Republic's friends and partners at the November donors conference. Together, we must sustain our focus and deliver on those commitments and pledges. President Touadera's Government is the lynchpin and the guide.”
2017-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7901 (2017) · source
“That is why the United Nations and the Governments around the Lake Chad basin have to do more to open up access in the areas hardest hit by the fight against Boko Haram. In closing, the bottom line is that all of us know the steps required to prevent famine. The members of the Council and all other countries with influence need to press the parties on the ground to open up humanitarian access and minimize the impact of hostilities on the population. We also need to give the United Nations the resources it needs to help. Starvation is preventable, but only if we all have the will to act.”
2017-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7897 (2017) · source
“It is a daunting challenge, as we saw, to get aid to this area, as the region's militaries continue to combat Boko Haram's brutality. In the midst of this fight, humanitarians and civilians are threatened by ambushes, suicide attacks and improvised explosive devices. But to save people from starving to death, humanitarians need safe ways to reach them - again echoing Under- Secretary-General O'Brien. We saw during our trip that there is scope for greater collaboration between military officials and humanitarian organizations, which could allow greater access. These groups are able to deliver aid to 2.1 million people now, which is a massive improvement from where we were last year, but 5.1 million people still need help. The United Nations and its partners are still not able reach more than 50 per cent ofthe people going hungry.”
2017-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7897 (2017) · source
“But the difference between then and now is that the international community is mobilized and in place to provide aid and that a new Federal Government of Somalia is ready to coordinate a drought response. But again, funding, as Mr. O'Brien noted, is the primary obstacle to saving lives. Of the $825 million required for famine prevention and response in Somalia, only 16.2 per cent of what is required has been received. Finally, members of the Council just saw first hand the suffering in north-eastern Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin, where more than 10 million civilians - two out of every three people in the region - are in need of humanitarian assistance. Some organizations already believe that famine occurred in parts of Nigeria last year and experts warn that up to 120,000 people could face famine by this summer.”
2017-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7897 (2017) · source
“The United States calls on the Government of South Sudan to uphold one of its most fundamental obligations to its citizens, that is, to keep them from starving to death and to allow humanitarian aid organizations to do their jobs in helping people. As Mr. O'Brien noted, with the Secretary-General's recent visit to Somalia, he brought much-needed attention to Somalia's worsening hunger crisis. The Somali people, however, continue to grapple with the impact of decades of conflict. We know that in 2011, nearly 260,000 Somalis died in a famine and now after several poor rainy seasons, Somalia yet again faces a looming famine with 50 per cent of the population in need of assistance.”
2017-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7897 (2017) · source
“This conflict has caused almost 3.5 million people to flee their homes, forcing many to abandon their farms. People are hiding from the violence in swamps. They are surviving by eating waterlillies and grasses or taking enormous risks by trying to flee to neighbouring countries. But even as 100,000 people face starvation now and 5.5 million people face severe hunger this coming summer, South Sudan's leaders are making it even more difficult to deliver aid. Of couse, South Sudan's leaders have tried to say that they will solve these challenges, but look at what they are actually doing. There are reports that Government officials are expelling humanitarian staff from famine-stricken areas. This is an outrage.”
2017-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7897 (2017) · source
“The United Nations verification and inspection mechanism plays a key role in facilitating food deliveries. However, constraints on access, particularly at Hudaydah - as Mr. O'Brien noted contribute to the risk of famine. The closure of Sana'a airport, along with checkpoints on the ground, complicate relief efforts even more. The obstructions to aid in Yemen must be lifted. The United States also urges international and regional partners to help Yemenis afford to buy food again. Contributing to the cash transfer programmes that provide payments to Yemen's neediest families would help prevent families from going hungry. The United Nations has already declared a famine in certain areas of South Sudan. Responsibility for this famine lies squarely with the country's leaders, who are fighting a senseless conflict as their people starve.”
2017-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7897 (2017) · source
“And, just like the other three cases, in Yemen, an end to the conflict would do the most to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis. That is why the United States supports the efforts of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, Mr. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, to renew the cessation of hostilities and bring the parties back to the table for negotiations. There is no military solution to the conflict in Yemen. A comprehensive peace would require compromise from all sides for the sake of the Yemeni people. While the conflict continues, the parties must allow sustained access, both for humanitarian aid and for the commercial import of food, medicine, fuel and other basic supplies. These essential goods must be able to arrive through all of the ports of Yemen, and they must be able to move within Yemen.”
2017-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7897 (2017) · source