YouSaid · the spoken record

Van Der Merwe

lines on the record
8
first
2008-05-12
most recent
2008-05-12
sittings or episodes
1
sources
un-security-council

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  1. “The legitimacy and global character of the United Nations give it a particular responsibility to facilitate a coordinated approach. We appreciate that the United Nations has been doing some work on security sector reform, but most of its activities in that regard have been ad hoc and without a framework to provide guidance. Fundamental to the assistance and expertise that the United Nations provides are the cooperation and consent of the State involved. We hope that the discussion here today will move us a step closer to a more coordinated approach to security sector reform.”

    2008-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5889 (2008) · source

  2. “In the current atmosphere of a lack of coherent and coordinated approach, international partners are virtually free to determine the elements and directions of their individualized interventions and support to security sector reform. The experience of the Democratic Republic of the Congo highlights the complexities of the problems that flow from uncoordinated external support to security sector reform. That is precisely because there is no code of ethics or conduct and policy guidelines that are universally acceptable to international partners and agreeable to States undertaking security sector reform. It was that observation of the negative consequences of an uncoordinated approach and a lack of guiding principles that informed our partnership with Slovakia to advocate for an enhanced United Nations role in security sector reform.”

    2008-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5889 (2008) · source

  3. “The case of Sierra Leone highlights the importance of clear political commitment and leadership to security sector reform from within the country and the crucial long-term support and benefits of a wide- consultative process, while the case of Guinea-Bissau highlights the challenges associated with implementing security sector reform with severe resource constraints. Therefore, effective support that will lead to successful reform of the sector requires capacity, knowledge and 08-33544 sensitivity and no tension between external support and national ownership in the process. In fact, there is political will on the part of the partners, but the lack of coordination has undermined the effects of that political will on the ground.”

    2008-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5889 (2008) · source

  4. “However, Africa has some unique challenges that include the general low level of economic development, the fragility and weakness of several African States and the complexities arising from simultaneous interventions of external actors. South Africa recognizes the importance of close partnerships with the United Nations and non-United Nations actors, in particular regional, subregional and other intergovernmental organizations, including international financial institutions and non- governmental organizations. Security sector reform is a long-term process that requires resources, energies and political will.”

    2008-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5889 (2008) · source

  5. “In other words, security sector reform is an important pillar for both security and sustainable development. The new concept of security sector reform implies an all-inclusive process that must address the needs of the people, including the needs of marginalized groups in society, in particular women. The inclusion of their perspectives and concerns in the design and delivery of security is critical. In that way, the people are responsible for making sure that the security sector is a guarantor of security and freedom rather than a threat to it. However, those experiences from Africa should not be construed to imply that the need for security sector reform is specific to Africa. Indeed, other countries outside the continent have also embarked on the reform of their respective security sectors.”

    2008-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5889 (2008) · source

  6. “Until now, there has been a limited understanding of security sector reform that goes beyond traditional military elements and is not State-centric, but rather involves a much wider range of national actors and institutions. That, however, does not negate the fact that Member States are the primary providers of security as both a sovereign right and a responsibility. 08-33544 Last year, we were very pleased and honoured to join with the Slovak delegation in hosting a seminar in Cape Town attended by many countries. At that seminar, it was made quite clear that security sector reform must of necessity meet the new concept of security that transcends the reductionist perspective that has historically and one-dimensionally equated security with the military aspect and excluded the political, cultural and socio-economic dimensions.”

    2008-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5889 (2008) · source

  7. “Our experiences point to the fact that this is not an event, but a process that requires continuous attention and political will. It is a process that is politically sensitive and that must be nationally owned. Thus, security sector reform cannot be imposed on any country or on any institution. National ownership ensures that the process is rooted in the needs and conditions of the country, because each country faces its own unique challenges. Yet, national ownership, as one of the non- negotiable principles of SSR, is definitely not antithetical to external support. So whatever approach is adopted must be in context and must be country- specific. That is important because our continent has long suffered from many attempts to impose one-size- fits all solutions to security sector reform that have produced more problems than solutions.”

    2008-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5889 (2008) · source

  8. “We thank the United Kingdom for organizing this open briefing on security sector reform (SSR) and welcome the report of the Secretary-General entitled "Securing peace and development: the role of the United Nations in supporting security sector reform" (S/2008/39). My delegation wishes to welcome the efforts of the Secretary-General in promoting security sector reform and expresses appreciation for his recommendations on the way forward. May I also join others in welcoming the participation of the Secretary-General and, of course, the presence of Minister Kubis and of the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission. As the Council is aware, Africa has been involved in practicing security sector reform in a number of countries.”

    2008-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5889 (2008) · source