Statement by Amb. Byrne Nason at UNSC Briefing on the Democratic Republic of the Congo - MONUSCO
Statement
30 March 2021Merci beaucoup Madame la Présidente. Je voudrais également féliciter et remercier la Représentante Spéciale du Secrétaire Générale Madame Keita, chère Bintou, pour sa nomination et son intervention très importante et pertinente ce matin. Je tiens aussi à remercier Madame Sandrine Lusamba pour son intervention éclairante ainsi que ses recommandations concrètes.
Pour l’Irlande, la transition politique actuelle en République Démocratique du Congo constitue une occasion unique à saisir, pour créer un élan et tracer une voie positive.
L’établissement d’une nouvelle coalition au sein du groupe « l’Union Sacrée de la Nation » a crée la possibilité de changement et de réforme. Cela pourra bénéficier au peuple Congolais d’une manière significative, y compris le renforcement de la stabilité et des systèmes de gouvernance, la lutte contre l’impunité ainsi que la lutte contre la corruption.
Nous nous félicitons de l’approfondissement de la coopération régionale, mené par le Président Tshisekedi. Cela comprend le dialogue avec les pays voisins sur les menaces communes, notamment l’activité continue des groupes armés.
Pour reprendre ce que Madame Keita a dit ce matin, l’élection du Président Tshisekedi à la présidence de l’Union Africaine pourra approfondir l’engagement de l’Union Africaine dans la région, et faciliter la coopération avec d’autres organisations régionales, telles que la Conférence Internationale sur la Région des Grands Lacs.
Madame President,
Ireland welcomes President Tshisekedi’s prioritisation of the participation of women in peace negotiations during his African Union term. We recognize the important steps which are being taken domestically. The President’s commitment to ensure that 30% of the new Government will be women sends a strong signal. What matters, of course, and what makes the difference, is that women be in the room and at the table when peace is made. Ireland knows well that the more inclusive the process, the more durable the result. The full, equal and meaningful participation of women is not just a mantra, it is critical. Women need to have a say in shaping peace in their own country. We call on the Government, with the active, focused support of the UN, MONUSCO and all relevant actors to make this a reality.
Madame President,
Significant challenges, as we have heard this morning, remain to be overcome in the DRC. The deteriorating security situation, particularly in the Eastern provinces, highlights how vital MONUSCO’s engagement remains. Central to this is the prioritization of the protection of civilians.
We welcome the deployment of the Geolocation Threat Analysis Unit to MONUSCO. We see this as part of broader efforts to support the Force Intervention Brigade to intervene in a timely manner to protect civilians when and where required.
For Ireland, it is crucial that the withdrawal of MONUSCO be conditions-based and in step with the security situation on the ground. It is also important that the transition is coordinated with other agencies on the ground. How MONUSCO manages the Kasai withdrawal will be watched closely.
We believe that the implementation of the drawdown must also include reforms in the justice, disarmament and security sectors, drawing on tools and actors across the peace, humanitarian and development nexus.
Similarly, effective disarmament, demobilization and reintegration are essential for that durable and sustained peace.
Madame President,
The ambush of a World Food Programme convoy last month, resulting in three deaths including the Ambassador of the Republic of Italy, was tragic. Sadly, this incident is not an exception, but is a stark reminder of the ongoing insecurity and danger faced by the Congolese people themselves on a daily basis.
Human rights violations and abuses are of deep concern. It is essential that there is accountability for such violations. Ireland therefore welcomes the news this morning that the ICC’s Appeals Chamber has upheld Bosco Ntganda’s conviction and sentence for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Ireland is a strong supporter of the work of the ICC, which plays a key role in the fight against impunity in the DRC but also worldwide. Survivors must be provided access to the necessary care and services. Reports of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, as we have heard, remain in a matter of real concern.
The situation of children in armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo must also remain in focus in light of the ongoing and serious challenges.
Madame President,
The humanitarian situation is stark. 19.6 million people now in need of assistance. The current pandemic is, or course, contributing to this deterioration, though the health system and humanitarian aid workers have already had to contend with a further Ebola outbreak, with cholera, malaria and measles; these are also continuing to be ongoing challenges.
We condemn attacks against humanitarian workers in the strongest, most unequivocal, terms. With over the half of the population in need in DRC, it is absolutely vital that humanitarian workers can operate and that humanitarian space is respected.
Madame la Présidente,
Pour conclure, il est évident qu’on arrive à un moment crucial en République Démocratique du Congo. Le progrès sur le front politique est encourageant mais on ne peut pas nier qu’il reste plusieurs défis à relever par rapport à la situation sécuritaire et humanitaire. Cela demande le soutien continu de la communauté internationale et sans doute, de ce Conseil. Je vous assure du soutien profond de mon pays, l’Irlande.
Merci, Madame la Présidente.
1. Merci beaucoup Madame la Présidente. Je voudrais également féliciter et remercier la Représentante Spéciale du Secrétaire Générale Madame Keita, chère Bintou, pour sa nomination et son intervention très importante et pertinente ce matin. Je tiens aussi à remercier Madame Sandrine Lusamba pour son intervention éclairante ainsi que ses recommandations concrètes.
2. Pour l’Irlande, la transition politique actuelle en République Démocratique du Congo constitue une occasion unique à saisir, pour créer un élan et tracer une voie positive.
3. L’établissement d’une nouvelle coalition au sein du groupe « l’Union Sacrée de la Nation » a crée la possibilité de changement et de réforme. Cela pourra bénéficier au peuple Congolais d’une manière significative, y compris le renforcement de la stabilité et des systèmes de gouvernance, la lutte contre l’impunité ainsi que la lutte contre la corruption.
4. Nous nous félicitons de l’approfondissement de la coopération régionale, mené par le Président Tshisekedi. Cela comprend le dialogue avec les pays voisins sur les menaces communes, notamment l’activité continue des groupes armés.
5. Pour reprendre ce que Madame Keita a dit ce matin, l’élection du Président Tshisekedi à la présidence de l’Union Africaine pourra approfondir l’engagement de l’Union Africaine dans la région, et faciliter la coopération avec d’autres organisations régionales, telles que la Conférence Internationale sur la Région des Grands Lacs.
Madame President,
6. Ireland welcomes President Tshisekedi’s prioritisation of the participation of women in peace negotiations during his African Union term. We recognize the important steps which are being taken domestically. The President’s commitment to ensure that 30% of the new Government will be women sends a strong signal. What matters, of course, and what makes the difference, is that women be in the room and at the table when peace is made. Ireland knows well that the more inclusive the process, the more durable the result. The full, equal and meaningful participation of women is not just a mantra, it is critical. Women need to have a say in shaping peace in their own country. We call on the Government, with the active, focused support of the UN, MONUSCO and all relevant actors to make this a reality.
Madame President,
7. Significant challenges, as we have heard this morning, remain to be overcome in the DRC. The deteriorating security situation, particularly in the Eastern provinces, highlights how vital MONUSCO’s engagement remains. Central to this is the prioritization of the protection of civilians.
8. We welcome the deployment of the Geolocation Threat Analysis Unit to MONUSCO. We see this as part of broader efforts to support the Force Intervention Brigade to intervene in a timely manner to protect civilians when and where required.
9. For Ireland, it is crucial that the withdrawal of MONUSCO be conditions-based and in step with the security situation on the ground. It is also important that the transition is coordinated with other agencies on the ground. How MONUSCO manages the Kasai withdrawal will be watched closely.
10.We believe that the implementation of the drawdown must also include reforms in the justice, disarmament and security sectors, drawing on tools and actors across the peace, humanitarian and development nexus.
11.Similarly, effective disarmament, demobilization and reintegration are essential for that durable and sustained peace.
Madame President,
12.The ambush of a World Food Programme convoy last month, resulting in three deaths including the Ambassador of the Republic of Italy, was tragic. Sadly, this incident is not an exception, but is a stark reminder of the ongoing insecurity and danger faced by the Congolese people themselves on a daily basis.
13.Human rights violations and abuses are of deep concern. It is essential that there is accountability for such violations. Ireland therefore welcomes the news this morning that the ICC’s Appeals Chamber has upheld Bosco Ntganda’s conviction and sentence for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Ireland is a strong supporter of the work of the ICC, which plays a key role in the fight against impunity in the DRC but also worldwide. Survivors must be provided access to the necessary care and services. Reports of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, as we have heard, remain in a matter of real concern.
14.The situation of children in armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo must also remain in focus in light of the ongoing and serious challenges.
Madame President,
15.The humanitarian situation is stark. 19.6 million people now in need of assistance. The current pandemic is, or course, contributing to this deterioration, though the health system and humanitarian aid workers have already had to contend with a further Ebola outbreak, with cholera, malaria and measles; these are also continuing to be ongoing challenges.
16.We condemn attacks against humanitarian workers in the strongest, most unequivocal, terms. With over the half of the population in need in DRC, it is absolutely vital that humanitarian workers can operate and that humanitarian space is respected.
Madame la Présidente,
17.Pour conclure, il est évident qu’on arrive à un moment crucial en République Démocratique du Congo. Le progrès sur le front politique est encourageant mais on ne peut pas nier qu’il reste plusieurs défis à relever par rapport à la situation sécuritaire et humanitaire. Cela demande le soutien continu de la communauté internationale et sans doute, de ce Conseil. Je vous assure du soutien profond de mon pays, l’Irlande.
Merci, Madame la Présidente.