URGENCY OF REMOVING THE OBSTACLES PREVENTING COMPLIANCE WITH JUSTICE-RELATED COMMITMENTS
Bogotá, 26 June 2018. The Colombian peace process is notable for the emphasis it places on ensuring that the transition from an armed conflict to peace is accompanied by truth, justice, reparation for the victims and non-repetition. Within this commitment, the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP by its Spanish acronym) is...
Secretary-General Guterres meets PIF Leaders and Secretariat, September 2023. UN Photo/Mark Garten
The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) was founded in 1971 and currently has a membership of 18 states and territories. As part of its cooperation with regional organizations, the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs has been increasing its cooperation with the PIF Secretariat to address the unique challenges facing the region, including peace and security, governance, climate change, sustainable development/2030 agenda, gender equality and youth empowerment.
DPPA continues to partner with PIF, the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), as well as the Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS), to support national and regional peacebuilding objectives. In 2023 this included convening environmental peacebuilding dialogues with PIF Ambassadors to the UN to discuss different aspects of the climate change and security nexus affecting small states. For example, in May 2023 DPPA convened an informal exchange on developing gender-sensitive responses to climate-related security challenges in the Pacific. In 2022, DPPA supported the Peacebuilding Fund, UNDP and IOM on the Climate Security in the Pacific pilot project, in close coordination with local communities and Governments in three atoll nations (Kiribati, Republic of Marshall Islands and Tuvalu). The project undertook inclusive consultations to identify the most pressing climate-related security risks, including through an embedded environmental peacebuilding expert in the PIF Secretariat. Pilot briefs for the three initial countries can be found here and a phase two is being developed.
An overview of the role, approach and tools of the United Nations and its partners in preventing violent conflict
The Joint UN Development Programme (UNDP) - UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) Programme on Building National Capacities for Conflict Prevention is a signature cross-pillar initiative that aims to enhance UN support to national stakeholders on conflict prevention and sustaining peace. Since its inception in 2004, the Programme has engaged in more than 60 countries and provided catalytic support to UN Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams to advance the UN Secretary-General’s conflict prevention agenda. The Joint Programme is widely recognized for providing thought leadership on conflict prevention, and is considered a unique example of how the political and development pillars of the UN can successfully work together in pursuit of the prevention of violent conflict.
The Joint Programme’s efforts focus on building existing and emerging national and local capacities to address, and fundamentally transform the underlying causes of conflict. Recognizing that national ownership, inclusivity and sustainability of peace efforts are key to success, the Joint Programme works on a premise that national actors are best placed to carry preventive work forward. Peace and Development Advisors (PDAs) are at the forefront of the Programme’s efforts to empower national stakeholders to strengthen existing mechanisms and capacities for inclusive dialogue, mediation and national peace architectures. PDAs also support the UN system to effectively adapt and respond to complex political situations and identify areas for preventive action. Over the years, the community of PDAs has grown significantly, reflecting the increasing need for conflict prevention as well as the realization of the value of embedding capacities for conflict analysis, conflict sensitive programming, and strategic leadership on conflict prevention within UN Country Teams.
Beyond the deployment of PDAs, the Joint Programme also facilitates deployment of short-term expertise to respond and engage in crisis settings, provides coordinated and complementary UNDP and DPPA support, analysis, and engagement in target countries, and builds on the expert knowledge of its stakeholders to share good practices, lessons learned, and engage in a community of practice. Aiming to serve as a platform that brings together various UN tools and approaches, the Join UNDP-DPPA Programme contributes to coherent UN engagement by working in partnership with other UN entities, such as the Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO), UN Volunteers (UNV) and UN Women.
Contact the Joint Programme here.
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The 44th round of the Geneva International Discussions has just concluded.
In Working Group I, the participants reviewed the security situation on the ground, which they assessed as relatively calm and stable. The need to conduct a proper investigation into the tragic death of Archil Tatunashvili in February 2018 was reiterated, with the Co-Chairs emphasising the need to avoid any perception of impunity. The participants were encouraged to continue exchanging information on this and other cases, such as the killing of Giga Otkhozoria in May 2016, in the framework of the relevant Incident Prevention and Response Mechanisms.
Given the divergent positions expressed by the participants on a draft joint statement on non-use of force, the Co-Chairs proposed to continue working further on that matter.
In Working Group II, the participants discussed issues relating to missing persons, freedom of movement, healthcare, documentation, education, livelihoods and environmental concerns. It was again not possible to complete discussion of all agenda items given long-standing divergent approaches to the issue of IDPs/refugees.
In light of the exchanges among the participants during the session, the Co-Chairs and co-moderators reiterated their call for a constructive and result-oriented approach by all participants on all agenda items. The Co-Chairs informed the participants about their ongoing efforts aimed at making the Geneva format more effective and productive. They appreciated the views expressed by the participants in this regard.
The participants reiterated their commitment to this format as a unique dialogue platform and agreed to hold the next round on 9-10 October 2018.
Monsieur le Président, Distingués membres du Conseil,
Depuis la publication du rapport soumis à votre examen, la situation en Afrique centrale est restée difficile avec un certain nombre de menaces sérieuses qui pèsent sur la stabilité politique, sécuritaire et socio-économique, y compris dans les pays touchés par des conflits armés de longue date, comme la République centrafricaine (RCA) et la République démocratique du Congo (RDC). Tous les onze états membres de la Communauté économique des états de l’Afrique centrale (CEEAC) sont soit au milieu ou au début d’un cycle électoral et, par conséquent, connaissent des tensions liées aux processus électoraux. Partout, les populations continuent de réclamer de meilleures conditions socio-économiques.
La demande en matière d’engagement d’UNOCA, de bons offices, et de diplomatie préventive est demeurée forte. J’ai intensifié mon engagement auprès des pays de la sous-région et notre appui aux organisations sous-régionales, notamment en dirigeant ou déployant plus de missions pour renforcer nos efforts dans la prévention des conflits et la gestion des crises.
Monsieur le Président,
Permettez-moi de vous présenter quelques nouveaux développements dans la sous-région :
Le 4 mai, la nouvelle Constitution adoptée par l’Assemblée nationale du Tchad a été promulguée et le 10 mai, le nouveau gouvernement a prêté serment. Le 24 mai, le Président Idriss Déby Itno a présidé une cérémonie d’installation d’un nouveau cadre de dialogue politique, le Cadre national du dialogue politique (CNDP), qui comprend 15 membres de la majorité et 15 autres membres de l’opposition. En coordination avec nos partenaires, UNOCA est prêt à apporter un appui au CNDP au moment où il relève le défi de promouvoir un dialogue inclusif et de créer les conditions favorables à la tenue d’élections législatives crédibles et pacifiques en novembre 2018.
Au Gabon, l’organe électoral nouvellement établi, le Centre gabonais des élections (CGE), a entamé les préparatifs pour les prochaines élections législatives. Au cours de ma rencontre avec le Président du CGE, le 18 mai, j’ai réitéré la disponibilité des Nations Unies à appuyer le processus électoral. Dans le but d’améliorer la représentation des femmes et des jeunes dans les postes électifs et les instances de prise de décision, UNOCA et le PNUD ont appuyé le Réseau des femmes sénatrices du Gabon dans l’organisation d’un atelier de formation à Libreville, du 5 au 7 juin, ciblant des femmes et des jeunes, tous dirigeants politiques.
Le 7 juin, le Président Pierre Nkurunziza du Burundi a promulgué une nouvelle Constitution après la validation des résultats du référendum du 17 mai par la Cour constitutionnelle. Plusieurs acteurs et partenaires ont exprimé leurs préoccupations selon lesquelles la réforme pourrait réduire à néant les acquis de l’Accord d’Arusha, en termes de paix, stabilité, démocratie et participation politique inclusive. Il est important que ce Conseil continue d’appuyer le processus de médiation dirigé par la Communauté d’Afrique de l’Est. Je réitère l’appel de l’Envoyé spécial Michel Kafando au Gouvernement et à l’opposition afin qu’ils reprennent et concluent les pourparlers le plus tôt possible et qu’ils commencent à préparer le terrain pour la tenue d’élections inclusives et crédibles en 2020.
L’escalade de la violence et des tensions dans les régions du nord-ouest et sud-ouest du Cameroun, qui est également toujours affecté par les activités de Boko Haram et l’impact de la crise en RCA, est une source de préoccupation majeure. Plus de 20.000 réfugiés camerounais ont déjà été enregistrés de l’autre côté de la frontière avec le Nigéria et ont besoin d’assistance. Le 25 mai, sept activistes anglophones ont été condamnés à jusqu’à 15 ans de prison pour terrorisme et autres accusations.
Les Nations Unies ont systématiquement appelé au dialogue inclusif avec tous les acteurs, comme étant la meilleure manière de trouver une solution à la crise, répondre aux doléances des populations anglophones et garantir l’intégrité territoriale du pays et la stabilité régionale. Je félicite la Commission nationale pour la promotion du bilinguisme et du multiculturalisme pour ses efforts et l’encourage à poursuivre son travail et à tenir dûment compte des recommandations faites par les populations. Apaiser les tensions contribuera également à la bonne conduite des élections présidentielles, législatives et municipales prévues pour cette année. A cet égard, les Nations Unies continueront d’appeler tous les acteurs à s’abstenir de tout nouvel acte de violence.
La République du Congo a connu une série de procès de dirigeants politiques arrêtés à la suite de l’élection présidentielle de 2016, donnant lieu à des peines de prison longues pour plusieurs d’entre eux, y compris 20 ans pour le Général Jean-Marie Mokoko, l’ancien Chef d’état-major de l’armée et ancien candidat à la présidentielle. Alors que des progrès ont été enregistrés pour faire avancer le processus de paix dans la région du Pool, le processus de Désarmement, Démobilisation et Réintégration avance plus lentement que prévu. Les Nations Unies continueront d’appuyer ce processus avec d’autres partenaires.
A São Tomé-et-Principe, des tensions ont encore éclaté à la suite d’une décision, le 4 mai, de l’Assemblée nationale contrôlée par la majorité, de révoquer les juges de la Cour suprême de justice en raison de divergences sur la décision de la Cour suprême de restituer la brasserie du pays, Rosema, à un investisseur angolais. Le 23 mai, l’Assemblée nationale a approuvé une résolution sur la nomination des nouveaux juges de la Cour suprême, qui a été adoptée le 30 mai. Le 31 mai, les parties de l’opposition ont demandé à la Cour constitutionnelle de contrôler la constitutionalité de la loi.
La crise en RCA continue d’avoir un impact négatif sur la situation dans la sous-région, en particulier dans les pays voisins, provoquant un grand nombre de réfugiés. Cependant, je suis encouragé par les conclusions de la deuxième phase de consultations avec les groupes armés, menées par le Panel des Facilitateurs de l’Initiative africaine pour la paix et la réconciliation. J’ose espérer que les résultats de ces consultations permettront d’améliorer de façon tangible la situation sécuritaire. J’exhorte les pays de la région à participer plus activement à l’Initiative africaine, tant politiquement que financièrement. J’encourage aussi fortement les autorités centrafricaines et les pays voisins à accélérer le processus de mise en place des commissions mixtes de coopération, qui pourraient traiter des questions telles que le contrôle des frontières et la transhumance. Je continuerai de consacrer mes efforts sur la mobilisation de soutien à l’Initiative africaine.
Le 11 juin, le Président Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo de la Guinée équatoriale a invité tous les partis légalement enregistrés et non-enregistrés, la société civile et la Diaspora à participer à un dialogue politique national prévu pour le mois de juillet. Je félicite le Président pour son initiative et attends avec beaucoup d’intérêt les résultats de ce dialogue qui pourrait ouvrir davantage l’espace politique dans le pays.
Mr. President,
The scourge of terrorism and violent extremism continues to affect populations of the sub-region and divert Government resources from much needed development programmes to costly security operations. Boko Haram and the Lord’s Resistance Army have not stopped their deadly attacks on civilians, committing egregious human rights abuses and causing countless victims. UNOCA is engaging sub-regional organizations, including the ECCAS Secretariat, the Lake Chad Basin Commission, the Multinational Joint Task Force and other stakeholders to fight Boko Haram and address related issues and more broadly violent extremism in the sub-region, including to facilitate the implementation of the Regional Strategy against Boko Haram. I also continue liaising closely with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, for a coordinated support to regional efforts to address the Lake Chad Basin crisis.
On 8 and 9 May, the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum for Regional Cooperation on Stabilization, Peacebuilding and Sustainable Development held its inaugural meeting in Maiduguri, Nigeria. The Governors established the Forum as a platform for regional cooperation on stabilization, peacebuilding and sustainable development in the regions affected by Boko Haram. The Forum, which is supported by UNOCA, UNOWAS and UNDP will convene at least once a year.
Violent extremism, as well as persisting cross-border insecurity and criminal activities are compounded by the flow of small arms and light weapons throughout the sub-region. In order to respond to this challenge, the first Conference of States Parties to the Central African Convention for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, their Ammunition and all Parts and Components (the Kinshasa Convention) is taking place, as we speak, in Yaoundé, Cameroon with the participation of UNOCA. The Convention was developed through the UN Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa (UNSAC), with the support of UNOCA.
Mr. President,
In its capacity as Secretariat of UNSAC, UNOCA supported the holding of the 46th ministerial meeting of the Committee in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, from 29 May to 1 June. The forum provides a unique and rare decision-making platform to discuss the overall political, security and socioeconomic situation in the sub-region. The Heads or representatives of UN peace operations present in the sub-region, including MINUSCA, MONUSCO, the Office of the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, UNOAU, and UNOWAS also attended the meeting, in recognition of the need to promote cooperation and coherence among UN presences on the ground.
UNSAC recommended that ECCAS expedite the implementation of the regional strategy on counter-terrorism and the non-proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Central Africa, which was adopted at the 41st meeting of UNSAC in 2015.
Mr. President,
I welcome the validation on 24 May of the Regional Action Plan for the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security in Central Africa, following a two-day workshop co-organized by ECCAS and UNOCA in Brazzaville. Resource mobilization will be critical to ensure the successful implementation of the Plan.
I am convinced that the participation of women and youth will be crucial in ensuring a successful joint Summit of ECCAS and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which is expected to take place in July 2018 under the theme, “Peace, Security, Radicalization and Violent Extremism within the ECCAS-ECOWAS space.” I call upon ECCAS and ECOWAS member States to ensure the involvement of women and youth in the development and implementation of strategies to prevent violent extremism and counter terrorism, in line with relevant Security Council resolutions. UNOCA and UNOWAS will continue supporting ECCAS and ECOWAS in a coordinated manner.
Mr. President,
Consistent with its mandate, UNOCA has remained actively engaged in support of member States in Central Africa and sub-regional organizations, particularly ECCAS. At their joint retreat on 11 and 12 May, ECCAS and UNOCA adopted a biennial programme for 2018-2019, which includes more joint visits to the sub-region and joint analyses to promote enhanced coordination in conflict prevention and management and peacebuilding.
I welcome ECCAS member States’ decision to accelerate the ECCAS institutional reform. I further appeal to ECCAS member States to remain committed towards the completion of this important process. Indeed, the reform is a good opportunity for the sub-regional organization to improve its functioning, including funding mechanisms to ensure implementation of key projects in peace, security, peacebuilding and governance. The UN, including through UNOCA, stands ready to provide assistance to ECCAS and member States in this critical endeavour.
Mr. President,
Since its mandate was last renewed in 2015, UNOCA has proved its effectiveness as a tool to advance the Secretary-General’s prevention agenda in Central Africa. The activities of the Office have also been crucial in strengthening the capacities of ECCAS and enhancing UN coordination in the sub-region. We look forward to the Security Council’s support to the renewal of UNOCA’s mandate for another three-year period, as recommended by the Secretary-General in his report.
Thank you for your attention.
UNICEF @ Anees Mahyoob
Sana’a International Airport, 5 June 2018 - I am pleased to have visited Sana’a again. I had very productive meetings with senior leaders of...
Thank you, Mr. President,
Your excellencies Minister Czaputowicz, Minister Blok and Minister Klimkin,
Members of the Council,
The conflict in eastern Ukraine is now in its fifth year. It may no longer make major international headlines, but it is neither dormant nor frozen. It is very much alive, and it requires our attention, particularly to alleviate the human cost of the conflict.
Repeated pledges to respect the cease-fire have not stopped the fighting; far from it. While there has been an overall reduction of violence and casualties since 2015, the killing, destruction and immense suffering continues. The civilian death toll of the conflict is over 2,700 according to OHCHR with up to 9,000 injured. An estimated 1.6 million people remain internally displaced – the largest uprooted population in Europe and among the ten largest in the world.
Today’s Council meeting is the first on the situation in Ukraine since 2 February 2017, when an upsurge in violence threatened to spiral out of control. In the intervening period, diplomatic talks have continued – in the Normandy Format, in the Trilateral Contact Group, and through bilateral processes.
Despite these commendable efforts, the security situation on the ground remains volatile, with the continued use of weapons proscribed by the Minsk Agreements. The relative calm that held in the early weeks of 2018 was followed in April and May by a sharp increase in the number of victims caused by shelling, small arms fire, mines and unexploded ordinance.
The United Nations is deeply concerned about the recent deterioration of the situation at the contact line, including in the area around the Donetsk Filtration Station. We join the calls by OSCE Chief Monitor Ambassador Ertugrul Apakan on 18 May and by the Special Representative of the Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine Ambassador Martin Sajdik on 22 May for an immediate cessation of fighting.
The violence puts civilian lives at risk and causes destruction of infrastructure, on which people depend for their basic needs on both sides of the contact line.
In light of recent reports of increased military preparedness along the contact line, we highlight the need for utmost restraint.
Mr. President,
On 17 February 2015, this Council adopted resolution 2202 endorsing the “Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements”. The Council called on all parties to fully implement the Package of Measures, including a comprehensive ceasefire. The Minsk Agreements remain the foundation for the international community’s commitment to restoring peace in eastern Ukraine.
Yet, over three years since the adoption of resolution 2202, the Minsk provisions remain largely unimplemented. Negotiations appear to have lost momentum, with the main stakeholders unable to reach agreement on key steps. Except for the exchange of detainees during the Christmas period last year – efforts to move the talks forward have achieved little so far.
Practical solutions are often identified, but not followed through.
Meanwhile, discussions on a potential international peace operation have so far been inconclusive.
Mr. President,
The United Nations continues to provide humanitarian assistance, human rights monitoring and development support, including in the framework of Ukraine’s reform efforts. But the scale and urgency of needs stemming from the conflict remain immense. There are over half a million civilians living within five kilometres of the Line of Contact, subjected night and day to shelling, gunfire, landmines and unexploded ordnance. Children miss out on vital education. Health problems are worsening, with an increase in cases of drug-resistant tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.
The area around the Line of Contact is now the third most mine-contaminated area in the world. Residential areas, as well as critical infrastructure, are frequently shelled, deliberately or accidentally.
We call on all concerned to take the necessary measures to protect civilians and to uphold international human rights obligations.
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine continues to report on human rights violations and abuses carried out on both sides of the contact line. In accordance with relevant General Assembly resolutions, monitoring of the situation in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol is being carried out, but with great difficulty due to lack of access.
As a consequence of the conflict, eastern Ukraine is facing a serious humanitarian crisis. Restrictions and impediments on international humanitarian access to conflict-affected areas continue to limit aid delivery to those in need. With 3.4 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in conflict-affected areas, we urge all to facilitate humanitarian access, and encourage Member States to do more to support efforts to address this crisis.
Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Ms. Ursula Mueller, will shortly report further on the humanitarian situation.
The conflict has also had a tragic impact on families from other nations. We are all aware of the recent update of the investigation into the MH17 downing. The Security Council in its resolution 2166 (2014) demanded that all states cooperate fully with efforts to establish accountability. As the Secretary-General has expressed, establishing the truth about this event is an important part of achieving justice for the victims and their families.
Mr. President,
The United Nations strongly supports the lead efforts on Ukraine of the Normandy Four, the Trilateral Contact Group, the OSCE and other key actors. The work of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission, which provides regular reporting on security incidents and which facilitates localized ceasefires and critical repair works in the conflict area, takes place under extremely difficult circumstances.
The OSCE Mission suffered its first fatality in April of last year. The United Nations calls for full respect for the OSCE Mission’s freedom of movement and for an immediate end to all use of force and threats against the Mission’s monitors.
I look forward to hearing an update from the Chief Monitor of the Mission, Ambassador Apakan.
Mr. President,
The Secretary-General travelled to Kiev early in his tenure to highlight the UN’s serious concern regarding the situation in Ukraine and the plight of the people affected by the conflict. The visit in July 2017 demonstrated support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, in accordance with relevant General Assembly resolutions.
The Secretary-General has consistently called for a demonstration of necessary political will to cease hostilities and to end the suffering of the civilian population – a call he reiterated in his statement of 23 December 2017, on the eve of the so-called Christmas ceasefire.
In his New Year message to the General Assembly this year, the Secretary-General also called for revitalizing relevant mediation initiatives in Europe, including the Normandy Format and the Trilateral Contact Group in Ukraine.
We hope the intensification of diplomatic engagements in recent weeks will generate the necessary political impetus for progress in implementing the Minsk Agreements and improving the prospects for a settlement of the conflict.
To overcome the status quo, it is imperative to inject efforts with new political energy.
Mr. President,
The Ukraine conflict is foremost a tragedy for the Ukrainian people. But it also takes place in a context of increasing challenges to the international peace and security framework. The conflict continues to test the credibility of international and regional organizations and erodes the trust Member States need to work together in the interest of Europe’s stability.
Despite the efforts to reach a settlement, a breakthrough remains elusive. Yet we cannot allow ourselves to give in to fatigue or complacency. We must continue to pursue peace with renewed vigour and see the implementation of resolution 2202 (2015). In this regard, we once again support the lead efforts of the OSCE and the Normandy format.
For its part, the United Nations remains committed to supporting the search for a peaceful resolution of the conflict, in a manner fully upholding Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence and in accordance with all relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions.
Thank you.