YouSaid · the spoken record

T.S. Tirumurti

lines on the record: 281
first: 2020-10-26
most recent: 2021-08-18
sittings or episodes: 37
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“These attacks are aimed at forcing the Afghan people to make predetermined choices through coercion and at spreading fear and intimidation within the society. As Afghanistan’s immediate neighbour, we are deeply concerned at the rising use of violence as a tool for pressure tactics. India believes that an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire in Afghanistan is the need of the hour. This is not only in the interest of the people of Afghanistan, who have been the victims of unrelenting violence, but a basic prerequisite for the success of the peace process. It goes without saying that talks and violence cannot go hand in hand. India supports all efforts aimed at achieving sustainable peace, security and stability in Afghanistan.”
2021-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/291 (2021) · source
“Targeted attacks on Afghan security forces, ulamas, innocent students in schools and universities, women occupying positions of responsibility, journalists, civil rights activists, youth and minority communities only serve to highlight the concerted effort by terrorists and their sponsors to erode the gains of the last two decades. The report of the Secretary General (S/2021/252) makes it clear that the commencement of the intra-Afghan talks has, regrettably, not resulted in a decrease in violence; on the contrary, it has only increased. Members of the Security Council came together earlier this month to strongly condemn the alarming number of attacks deliberately targeting civilians in Afghanistan (see SC/14464). They also expressed their deep concern about the threat posed by terrorism to Afghanistan and the region.”
2021-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/291 (2021) · source
“I would like to begin by thanking Special Representative of the Secretary- General Deborah Lyons for her comprehensive briefing and join other members in expressing appreciation for the work done by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. I would also like to thank Ms. Shaharzad Akbar, Chairperson of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, for her briefing. I deeply appreciate the statement delivered by Ambassador Adela Raz of Afghanistan. Afghanistan is going through a critical phase. The violence, unabated terror attacks and targeted assassinations have reached unprecedented levels.”
2021-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/291 (2021) · source
“These include lines of credit for development projects, supplying medicine and food, and running an artificial-limb fitment camp and capacity-building training programmes for Syrian nationals. We reiterate our commitment to continuing these initiatives in support of the people of Syria. Finally, on this tenth anniversary of the conflict, let us reaffirm our resolve to help the people of Syria. India stands ready to continue to render all possible help and support to the Syrian people.”
2021-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/265 (2021) · source
“The humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by the pandemic, calls for the sanctions imposed on Syria to be relaxed. The international community must act with a sense of urgency to help the Syrian people. We remain convinced that all efforts aimed at improving the humanitarian situation in Syria will positively affect the political track as well. We call upon the wider United Nations system, in particular the World Health Organization and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, to prioritize the vaccination programme in Syria, including through the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access initiative. As we have mentioned in our earlier statements on Syria, India has regularly extended development assistance and human resource development support to the country.”
2021-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/265 (2021) · source
“India firmly believes that long-term security and stability in this region can only be achieved by preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria. We also remain convinced that there can be no military solution to the Syrian conflict and reaffirm our commitment to advancing a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned United Nations-facilitated political process in line with resolution 2254 (2015). The 10-year-long Syrian conflict has brought untold suffering to the Syrian people. The coronavirus disease pandemic has further compounded the situation, posing serious challenges to the fragile health infrastructure. There is an urgent need to increase humanitarian assistance to all Syrians throughout the country without discrimination, politicization or any preconditions.”
2021-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/265 (2021) · source
“We call on all parties to the conflict to show political will and statesmanship to break the current impasse in the working of the Constitutional Committee. The Syrian conflict and involvement of external actors has contributed to the growth of terrorism in the country and its neighbours. This has been reiterated in the latest report of the Secretary General on the threat posed by Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (S/2021/98). We express our serious concern with the increased presence and terrorist activity of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham and other affiliated terrorist groups that pose a threat to civilians inside and outside the Idlib de-escalation area. It is imperative that all parties adhere to their international obligations to fight terrorism and terrorist organizations in Syria as designated by the Security Council.”
2021-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/265 (2021) · source
“The situation on the ground does not present an optimistic picture either. It will be unrealistic to expect any dramatic outcomes in the near future unless the international community takes decisive collective steps in the right direction and bridges differences. If we are serious about achieving progress, we need to have a greater convergence of views and act to strengthen the hands of the Special Envoy. Constructive international diplomacy is the need of the hour to bridge existing divides by focusing on mutual and reciprocal steps. We believe that linking humanitarian and developmental work with progress on the political track will help to create an environment conducive to trust and confidence. We welcome the fifteenth round of international meetings in the Astana process, which was held in Sochi last month.”
2021-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/265 (2021) · source
“Let me begin by thanking Special Envoy Geir of the Secretary-General for Syria Pedersen for his briefing on the recent developments in Syria. He has travelled to Damascus, Moscow and Sochi and held meetings with important stakeholders. I thank him for his candid views reflecting the current state of play and his assessment of the situation. It is indeed disheartening that, as we approach the tenth year of conflict in Syria, peace and stability remain unfortunately elusive for the country and its people. The political transition in Syria, facilitated by the United Nations, is not an exclusive process. The five rounds of meetings of the drafting body of the Syrian Constitutional Committee have resulted in very little progress. External influence is also adversely affecting the process.”
2021-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/265 (2021) · source
“Our spearheading the resolution on declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millets is in that direction. We are equally committed to providing vaccines to the world so that we can tackle COVID and food insecurity at the same time. I would like to conclude by quoting from the Indian scriptures: “Annam Brahma” — that is, food is God. Let us resolve to collectively work together in ensuring that no one ever has to be without food.”
2021-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/250 (2021) · source
“More recently, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, India has provided food aid in the form of thousands of metric tonnes of wheat, rice, pulses and lentils to several countries across the world, including Myanmar, Maldives, Afghanistan, Djibouti, Eritrea, Lebanon, Malawi, Sierra Leone, the Sudan, South Sudan, Zambia, Zimbabwe and many others, to strengthen their food security in these challenging times. As recently as last month, India gifted 2000 metric tonnes of rice to strengthen food security in Syria. Even as I speak, a ship is en route from India to deliver 1,000 metric tonnes of food aid each to Madagascar and the Comoros. We remain committed to providing assistance to all vulnerable countries to support them in their quest for food security.”
2021-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/250 (2021) · source
“The creation of a national database of farmers, which already covers more than 50 million farmers, is also being taken up as a priority.India remains strongly committed to the cause of global food security and has over the last several years contributed to the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in response to several humanitarian crises. Furthermore, India has always stepped forward to extend aid amounting to millions of tonnes of food grains to several vulnerable countries across the world. In 2019 alone, the WFP sourced approximately 11,000 metric tons of pulses, sorghum, wheat and rice from India to assist vulnerable populations.”
2021-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/250 (2021) · source
“At the onset of the COVID pandemic, India enacted a series of measures nationally to augment its food security and to ensure that it emerged from the crisis much more resilient. Those include developing the Indian digital ecosystem for agriculture as a modular, interoperable digital platform that aims to improve the welfare and income of farmers, increase productivity and efficiency in agriculture and allied sectors, and unlock new opportunities for innovation. With a view to encouraging the use of modern technologies in agriculture, the guidelines of the national e-governance plan in agriculture were revised in June 2020 by providing support for the projects involving the use of modern information technologies.”
2021-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/250 (2021) · source
“The global community has a moral obligation to act in situations where there are credible reasons to believe that millions of people are in desperate need of assistance. Food assistance alone surely cannot be a long-term sustainable solution to food insecurity. Promoting peace and stability and development is paramount and must include livelihood support, social protection programmes and community- based approaches including investment in agriculture, infrastructure and capacity- building in rural development, especially in conflict areas. That calls for a multi- stakeholder approach that is coherent and devoid of politics. India stands ready to extend support to all such efforts.”
2021-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/250 (2021) · source
“The United Nations and its Member States must make ensuring access a priority by engaging with national and regional authorities. While all humanitarian action must be primarily guided by the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, we are, unfortunately, witnessing an increasing tendency to politicize humanitarian situations. We need to resist the trend of linking humanitarian and developmental assistance with progress in the political process. Such a position by donors will only enhance food insecurity in conflict situations. There is an urgent need for the donor community to scale up assistance to conflict-affected countries and to ensure that humanitarian agencies receive the necessary funding to fully execute their plans without any politicization of the basic needs of the people.”
2021-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/250 (2021) · source
“Civilians in conflict-affected areas need safe, unhindered and rapid access to basic services, and humanitarian workers need safe ways to ensure that their teams and emergency supplies can reach communities in need. For example, in north-east Nigeria, thousands of people are trapped without life-saving humanitarian assistance. In Yemen, restrictions on land, sea and air trade routes have led to severe cuts in vital supplies of commodities such as food, fuel and medicines. In Mali, counter- terrorism measures limit civilian access to humanitarian aid. The 10-year-long conflict in Syria has adversely affected food security, putting millions of Syrians at risk. Unilateral measures can only make those situations worse.”
2021-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/250 (2021) · source
“At the recent inter-agency dialogue on the impact of conflict-climate change- COVID-19 nexus on Africa’s food systems, organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the African Union, the experts agreed that building resilience to conflict-induced food insecurity calls for reshaping food systems to be more inclusive of poor and marginalized populations. We are of the view that inclusive food systems that empower marginalized people by giving them a voice in local food policies will usher in a food-secured future. This would enable young people and women to find remunerative jobs and small farm holders to have access to agricultural markets, as well as make possible the adoption of climate- smart policies that promote seed diversity, innovation and the spirit of self-reliance.”
2021-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/250 (2021) · source
“COVID-19 has served only to make food insecurity more complex by, inter alia, forcing countries to impose restrictions on the movement of people, thereby depriving farms of workers to bring in the harvest, resulting in a loss of farm-based employment, limiting access to food in rural areas and eroding the ability of the State to cope with the socioeconomic pressure of the pandemic. For the displaced, particularly women, children, the elderly and persons with disabilities, the lack of S/2021/250 S/2021/250 access to dietary energy, clean water and sanitation has had adverse nutrition and health implications.”
2021-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/250 (2021) · source
“We are of the view that armed conflict and terrorism, combined with extreme weather, crop pests, food-price volatility, exclusion and economic shocks can devastate any fragile State, leading to food insecurity, and increase the threat of famine. Armed groups have time and again resorted to scorched-earth tactics and deliberately targeted civilian infrastructures such as land, farm animals and water wells, which erode economic growth and development. The inability to fight locusts, for example, can affect an entire region and even beyond, and directly affect food security.”
2021-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/250 (2021) · source
“The link between the two is context- and region-specific and varies according to a country’s level of development and the strength of its political institutions and social safety nets. Fragile States generally have weak capacities to design, implement and monitor policies and programmes related to food, thereby increasing their vulnerability while facing a conflict situation. The solution to a lack of food security in conflict-affected States therefore lies elsewhere, as such conflict-induced food-security issues should be taken up by the Council only in the context of specific countries where it may pose a threat to international peace and security.”
2021-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/250 (2021) · source
“Food security is the basic minimum required, especially when we are facing such a devastating world crisis as the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Food Programme estimates that the number of people suffering from food insecurity is projected to more than double by the end of 2020, to 270 million people, with the COVID-19 pandemic making it worse. The 2020 Global Report on Food Crises, brought out by the World Food Programme and 15 other humanitarian and development agencies, mentions that more than 77 million people are suffering from acute food insecurity in conflict-affected countries. While resolution 2417 (2018) recognizes the link between armed conflict and conflict-induced food insecurity and the threat of famine, it is important to note that food insecurity is by itself not a sufficient condition for political violence and conflict.”
2021-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/250 (2021) · source
“Let me begin by congratulating the United States delegation for having organized this important open debate on conflict-induced food insecurity. I thank Secretary-General António Guterres and the Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), David Beasley, for their briefings. I thank the Executive Director of Oxfam International, Ms. Gabriela Bucher, for bringing the civil- society perspective. I wish to start by paying tribute to all humanitarian, health and aid workers for their assistance to people in need, especially in these challenging times of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Mahatma Gandhi once said, “There are people in the world so hungry that God cannot appear to them except in the form of bread”.”
2021-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/250 (2021) · source
“In addition, we are in the process of delivering 10 metric tons of life-saving drugs to the Sudan in the coming weeks as a part of our bilateral humanitarian assistance programme. Let me reiterate that India remains committed to the all-round progress and inclusive development of the Sudan.”
2021-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/246 (2021) · source
“Lastly, India remains committed to supporting all efforts of the transitional Government of the Sudan towards a successful transition. In that context, we have bilaterally implemented 49 projects in the energy, transport and agro-industry sectors in the Sudan through concessional lines of credit worth $612 million. More than 290 scholarships have been extended annually for capacity-building under our Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme and other scholarship programmes. Most recently, India delivered 100 metric tons of food supplies last November as humanitarian assistance to the Sudan. I am also happy that, under the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility, 820,000 doses of Made-in-India coronavirus disease vaccines have been supplied to the Sudan.”
2021-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/246 (2021) · source
“It is critical that the international community continue to support the Sudan’s economic recovery and the transitional Government’s economic reform agenda.S/2021/246 We fully support the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs in developing an integrated strategic framework and structures to maximize international support for enhancing the effectiveness of UNITAMS with the objective of advancing the Sudan’s political transition. We also appreciate the efforts of Under-Secretary-General Atul Khare and his team at the Department of Operational Support towards the smooth drawdown of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). We also encourage UNITAMS to continue working closely with the transitional Government to ensure a smooth drawdown of UNAMID, while taking care to bridge any ensuing gaps.”
2021-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/246 (2021) · source
“We welcome the formulation of a national plan for civilian protection and the announcement of a 12,000-member protection force, which is currently in the process of deployment to Darfur. We also call on the armed movements that remain outside the peace process to join the negotiating table. Regarding the fourth pillar, the difficult economic situation is one of the major impediments in the transition process. The transitional Government has engaged positively with the international financial institutions and the Friends of the Sudan grouping, which will help in the mobilization of much-needed financial resources.”
2021-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/246 (2021) · source
“It is imperative for the international community, particularly the United Nations, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, to support national efforts and extend all possible help to the Sudan in the implementation of the Agreement. With regard to the third pillar, it is encouraging to note that the transitional Government has continued with its institutional and legal reforms. The draft laws concerning various commissions, including the Transitional Justice Commission, have been finalized. Again, those are positive developments. The intercommunal violence in Darfur in the past few months demonstrates the complex challenges faced by the transitional Government. We commend efforts to bring the situation back to normalcy in Darfur.”
2021-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/246 (2021) · source
“While the initial steps towards implementation have been taken, a trust deficit among the parties, outstanding security concerns and a lack of financial resources have the potential to undermine such efforts. It is therefore important that the Sudanese stakeholders continue to demonstrate their commitment to the Agreement and engage constructively to resolve their differences. They must ensure that the transitional institutions have clearly defined mandates and are inclusive and effective. To that end, the early formation of the Transitional Legislative Council and the establishment of the Commissions will be important.”
2021-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/246 (2021) · source
“The measures taken to implement the Juba Agreement for Peace in the Sudan, including expanding the Sovereign Council, establishing the Council of Partners for the Transitional Period and the formation of the new Cabinet to include the signatories to the Agreement, are steps in the right direction. The removal of the Sudan from the United States list of State sponsors of terrorism is another important milestone in the transition process, as is the normalization of bilateral relations with Israel. We welcome those positive developments. The Juba Agreement for Peace in the Sudan is a comprehensive, but ambitious and complex document. The implementation process may therefore face several challenges. The transition process to a federal and democratic system will not be an easy one.”
2021-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/246 (2021) · source
“Let me begin by thanking Mr. Volker Perthes, Head of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS), and Under- Secretary-General Atul Khare for their briefings on the activities of UNITAMS, centred around the Mission’s four strategic and interrelated pillars. I would also like to thank Ms. Kholood Khair, Managing Partner of Insight Strategy Partners, for her remarks. First, with regard to the political transition and peace processes, the Sudan continues to make progress in its democratic transition. The recent developments are a testimony to the determination and commitment of the Sudanese leadership to lead the Sudan towards the path of development, peace and prosperity.”
2021-03-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/246 (2021) · source
“Given the education crisis pointed out by the briefer, allow me to mention that India has extended 1,000 scholarships to Syrian students for higher education in India. Those have been welcomed and are already benefiting Syrian youth. In conclusion, I reiterate my country’s commitment to supporting Syria and its people in these challenging times.”
2021-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/206 (2021) · source
“We stand ready to work with the United Nations and its agencies to ensure that “Made in India” vaccines, in keeping with the clarion call of our Prime Minister for vaccines for all, can also be brought to the aid and assistance of the people of Syria. As regards our development partnership with Syria, India has extended $265 million in soft loans for projects in the steel and power sector and $12 million in humanitarian assistance to the Government of Syria through both bilateral and multilateral channels. India has also set up a biotechnology park and an information technology centre. Keeping the conflict in mind, we also organized an artificial limb-fitment camp in Damascus in 2019-2020, which benefited over 500 Syrians.”
2021-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/206 (2021) · source
“We also underscore the importance of the active engagement of the United Nations with Syria towards implementation of the United Nations strategic framework to achieve the outcomes that have been set out. For its part, India continues to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Syria in this grave hour of need. Earlier this month, responding to the request for emergency humanitarian assistance from the Syrian Government, India delivered more than 2,000 metric tons of rice for the people of Syria through the port city of Latakia. We shared more than 10 metric tons of medicines for the people of Syria in July 2020 to help them through the COVID-19 pandemic.”
2021-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/206 (2021) · source
“Humanitarian assistance to Syria, be it cross-border or cross-line, must take into consideration the independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Syria. At the same time, concrete steps need to be taken to address hurdles obstructing the functioning of both cross-border and cross-line operations, in particular, the delays in granting requisite approvals to humanitarian aid convoys. All parties need to protect health and humanitarian workers. The other interconnected issue is that of comprehensive and objective assessment of unilateral measures imposed by countries on Syria. Such measures only aggravate the prevailing economic, humanitarian and development crisis, with devastating effects for the entire population, particularly women, children and the elderly.”
2021-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/206 (2021) · source
“The scale, severity and complexity of humanitarian needs should provoke the collective conscience of this Council, particularly of those who advocate linking humanitarian assistance to their expected outcomes on the political track. It is difficult to comprehend such an approach. Politicization of the humanitarian track must end. It is not feasible for people in need of urgent and dire humanitarian assistance to wait endlessly until political objectives of all parties to the conflict are fully met. Allow me now to address two interlinked questions of humanitarian access and principles, which are closely interrelated in the context of Syria. India firmly believes that all humanitarian aid delivery to Syria must be consistent with United Nations guiding principles for humanitarian assistance.”
2021-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/206 (2021) · source
“Since we last met in this Council, the dire humanitarian situation has been further worsened by deteriorating economic conditions as well as continuing food insecurity. According to a January 2021 World Food Programme (WFP) report, the price of Syria’s standard basic food items basket in December 2020 was 236 per cent higher compared to December 2019, a month-to-month increase of 13 per cent, which brought the price to its record high since WFP started monitoring in 2013. In addition, the recent increase in the price of bread has added to the vulnerability of the population. The supply of fuel has also been affected by delays in the arrival of supplies. Furthermore, the floods in late January destroyed more than 21,000 tents in internally displaced person camps in Syria, affecting more than 120,000 people.”
2021-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/206 (2021) · source
“Let me begin by thanking Under-Secretary-General Mark Lowcock for his briefing on the humanitarian situation in Syria and the United Nations Strategic Framework for the Syrian Arab Republic. The 10-year long Syrian conflict has brought much suffering to the Syrian people. Syria is facing a dire situation compounded by a multiplicity of factors, including the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), harsh winter conditions and food insecurity, putting into peril the future of its 17.6 million citizens, including nearly 6.2 million displaced people, the largest internally displaced population anywhere in the world. Across the region, 10 million people, including 5.5 million Syrian refugees, continue to depend on humanitarian assistance. Children have been particularly badly affected.”
2021-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/206 (2021) · source
“We acknowledge and extend our support to the efforts of the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the United Nations in bringing political stability to Somalia and to the Horn of Africa. India’s association with Somalia goes back centuries. India made a significant contribution to peacekeeping in Somalia through its significant involvement in the United Nations Operation in Somalia II, during the 1993-1994 period. Twelve Indian soldiers laid down their lives for keeping the peace in Somalia. India has supported AMISOM in the past and will continue to do so. In recent years, India has extended its support for capacity-building in Somalia. We have supplied essential medicines to the country. Earlier this month, we gifted 27 buses to the Somali Transport Ministry to augment public transport facilities.”
2021-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/173 (2021) · source
“Access for humanitarian workers remains critical for alleviating the challenges facing the Somali people. On the piracy front, while there have been no successful piracy attacks off the coast of Somalia recently, the threat has persisted. India has been engaged in combating piracy and ensuring maritime security and safe navigation in the region. The Indian navy has been conducting anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia continuously since October 2008 and has coordinated with multinational partners to contribute to maritime security and safety for all in the region. The situation in Somalia calls for sustained engagement with the Federal Government of Somalia and federal member states to comprehensively address the multitude of problems in the political, security and humanitarian fields.”
2021-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/173 (2021) · source
“However, Somali security forces and institutions need continued support to tackle Al-Shabaab and other armed groups. We believe that the transition of security responsibilities from AMISOM to Somali security forces should be carefully calibrated, keeping in mind the realities on the ground. A hasty withdrawal will nullify the progress achieved so far. We also believe that the extension of the AMISOM mandate should not be limited by current funding constraints. We are deeply concerned at the exacerbating humanitarian situation in Somalia. Sustained conflict and economic instability have been compounded by the triple threat of the coronavirus disease, desert locusts and floods. It is reprehensible that humanitarian workers working under such difficult circumstances are being targeted by Al-Shabaab and its affiliated groups.”
2021-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/173 (2021) · source
“We are also concerned at the increased use of improvised explosive devices by Al-Shabaab and call for support to be extended to the Somali security forces to build their capacity to tackle this menace. AMISOM has been playing a key role in containing Al-Shabaab in Somalia for several years now. AMISOM remains the rallying point of the international community’s efforts for stabilization of the security situation in the country. We commend all AMISOM troop- and police-contributing countries for their commitment and for the sacrifices they have made. We have taken note of the recommendations made in the Secretary-General’s independent assessment report in January. We are also encouraged by the priorities and guideposts laid down in the revised Somalia transition plan.”
2021-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/173 (2021) · source
“We now expect a swift decision by leaders leading to the elections being held soon. We also urge all Somalis not to resort to violence during this important transition and to encourage dialogue and reconciliation instead. There is little doubt that the longer it takes to hold elections, the more complicated the situation will become. The delay will only embolden Al-Shabaab and other armed groups to gain more ground and continue their terror acts, subverting the democratic gains made so far. The frequency of terror attacks perpetrated by Al-Shabaab over the past few months is a matter of serious concern. Last week’s suicide bombing in Mogadishu reflects the fragile security situation in the country. We strongly condemn these terror attacks.”
2021-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/173 (2021) · source
“The political impasse over the holding of elections is indeed disappointing. It has been more than five months since the signing of the agreement on 17 September 2020. Contrary to our expectations, the meeting between the leaders of the federal member states and the Federal Government of Somalia, planned at first for 15 February and then for 18 to 19 February, did not take place. It is important that Somali leaders engage in constructive dialogue to resolve the issues that are delaying the holding of elections. We welcome the 16 February announcement that the technical committee representing the Federal Government and the federal member states identified solutions to outstanding electoral issues and that those have been submitted to the National Consultative Council.”
2021-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/173 (2021) · source
“Having been a member of the Security Council during the early years of its being seized of the situation in Somalia, almost three decades ago, and having played an important role in the United Nations Mission in the country, India is aware of the efforts that the Council has put in over the years to secure lasting peace and stability in Somalia. During the past decade, thanks to the security provided by AMISOM and the critical roles played by the Africana Union and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia, Somalia has made slow but steady progress towards national reconciliation and State-building, despite several shortcomings and setbacks. Today Somalia is yet again facing a political deadlock, which is threatening the progress achieved in recent years towards attaining stabilization.”
2021-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/173 (2021) · source
“At the outset, I would like to thank Special Representative of the Secretary- General James Swan and the Head of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) Francisco Madeira for their briefings on the recent developments in Somalia. Before I begin, I would like to join others in extending our condolences to the families of the victims of the suicide bombing near the Parliament building and the presidential palace in Mogadishu a week ago, as well as paying tribute to those who lost their lives during the clashes last week.”
2021-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/173 (2021) · source
“Before I conclude, let me also join other colleagues in expressing my disappointment over the continued stasis on the FSO SAFER issue. The United Nations team of experts must be provided immediate access to the FSO SAFER so as to avert an environmental and humanitarian disaster. I also encourage the United Nations not to get bogged down in technicalities and react nimbly whenever a window of opportunity opens up in future to resolve the issue.”
2021-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/167 (2021) · source
“It must also be ensured that terrorist forces do not take advantage of the continuing conflict. Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula and the Islamic State, although weakened, still have the potential to spawn and strengthen terrorism in the country and the region. The international community must speak in one voice against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. As I have said in the past, the cornerstone of India’s centuries-old relations with Yemen is our people-to-people ties. Thousands of Yemeni students continue to study in India, and a large number of Yemenis travel to India for medical treatment in our hospitals every year. Our doors have always been open for the people of Yemen, even during these challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also remain committed to extending humanitarian help to Yemen.”
2021-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/167 (2021) · source
“The role of women and young people should be fully factored into that process and the solution. With the commitment and resolve of all Yemeni parties, a consensus-based political solution to the country’s crisis can be achieved. The countries of the region with influence on the various Yemeni parties have an important role in ensuring that. While the larger goal of national reconciliation and sustainable peace is under consideration, the immediate dire economic, health and humanitarian situations should be effectively addressed. Any international assistance provided to the Yemeni people should be impartial, irrespective of who controls the territory in which they live. That assistance should also take into account and address the prevailing situation of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Yemen.”
2021-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/167 (2021) · source
“The hostilities must end immediately, facilitating a nationwide ceasefire between the parties. As has been evident from the continuing turmoil in the country, there can be no military solution to the conflict. A peaceful political settlement through broad-based dialogue and consultations, taking into account the legitimate concerns and aspirations of all stakeholders in Yemen, is the only way forward. With the formation of the new Government Cabinet facilitated by Saudi Arabia under the Riyadh agreement, the time is now ripe to get all Yemeni parties on board for the commencement of a comprehensive peace process. In that regard, we urge the Special Envoy to continue his commendable efforts. Any peace process should be fully inclusive and led by the Yemenis, with the United Nations being a facilitating partner.”
2021-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/167 (2021) · source
“We also condemn the missile and drone attacks in Saudi Arabia in recent weeks, which pose a risk to the security of that country and also threaten regional stability. I reiterate India’s call for the strict implementation of the arms embargo envisaged in resolution 2216 (2015) so as to effectively eliminate such threats in the future. We have closely followed the recent diplomatic initiatives, including the visit of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, Martin Griffiths, to the region and hope that they will contribute to reducing the tensions and kick-starting peace talks between the Yemeni parties. An early conclusion of the prisoner-exchange talks in Amman with a positive outcome will set the right environment for peace talks. In that context, let me underline the following.”
2021-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/167 (2021) · source