Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council meeting on the Great Lakes Region
26 March 2019
Mr President,
At the outset let me join others in thanking the outgoing Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, Mr Said Djinnit for his briefing as well as the excellent work he has done during his time as Special Envoy.
South Africa welcomes the progress registered in the implementation of the commitments under the Peace and Security Cooperation (PSC) Framework for the DRC and the region which was signed on 24 February 2013.
We further welcome the cooperation between the DRC, Uganda and Rwanda as well as the support provided by the Guarantors, in the repatriation of a large number of disarmed FDLR combatants and dependents. South Africa encourages these Governments to complete the repatriation of the former M23 combatants in accordance with human rights principles and international and refugee law.
South Africa underscores the importance of cooperation of all Great Lakes countries in eliminating armed groups which continue to pose a persistent threat to regional stability and integration.
Mr President,
My delegation welcomes the consensus reached by the signatories to the political agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the CAR, through the mediation of the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, Mr Smail Chergui. We are particularly heartend by the agreement on the formation of an inclusive government in the context of Article 21 of the Agreement.
We further welcome the peaceful holding of elections and peaceful transfer of power in the DRC. In this regard, South Africa supports the extension of the mandate of MONUSCO as part of the efforts to deliver greater stability to the DRC and the region.
South Africa hopes that the new MONUSCO mandate will assist the new DRC government to determine its priorities, assist the new government to assert its authority throughout the entire territory including the Eastern DRC, concentrate on DDR and encourage reconciliation in the DRC.
Accordingly, South Africa calls on the international community to provide assistance to the newly inaugurated government of President Felix Tshisekedi and to help in building that nation’s institutions which are critical to peace and security, as well as democracy and development.
Mr President,
Burundi remains an important part to the stability of the Great Lakes regions. As such South Africa continues to support the inter-Burundi dialogue, including the facilitation process led by the East African Community (EAC), in the spirit of the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement, with the support of the AU and the UN.
In this regard, the efforts of the mediator, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and the former facilitator, former President Benjamin Mkapa of the United Republic of Tanzania is acknowledged and commended. My delegation calls implores on the continued support of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy Mr Kafando’s continued mediation efforts.
South Africa also calls for the Global Ceasefire Agreement and the Arusha Accord to be read together in pursuit of a lasting solution to the current impasse.
Mr President,
Ultimately, a region that is politically stable serves as a foundation for regional economic integration. Thus there is a need to curb persistent illicit exploitation and trade in natural resources, which undermines the proper management of natural resources. South Africa commends progress towards economic and regional integration including the DRC-Zambia road project, the joint development road-rail bridge project linking Kinshasa and Brazzaville as well as the completion of the twelve of the fifteen one stop border posts aimed at boosting regional trade.
In conclusion, we call on the Security Council to reaffirm calls for all signatories to the PSC Framework to implement their commitments under the Framework to ensure long term, sustainable peace and stability in the DRC and the region.
I thank you.
Rev. Thursday, 28-Mar-2019 9:46 AM