SC/11018
Security Council
6971st Meeting (AM)
As it considered the situation in the Central African subregion today, the Security Council reiterated its strong condemnation of the attacks and atrocities, as well as violations of international humanitarian law and abuses of human rights, being perpetrated by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), and called for an immediate end to the violence.
In a presidential statement read out by Kodjo Menan (Togo), which holds the May presidency of the 15-member body, the Council condemned the LRA’s recruitment and use of children in armed conflict, killing and maiming, rape, sexual slavery and other sexual violence and abductions. It demanded an immediate end to all such attacks, urging the LRA to release those abducted, and to disarm and demobilize.
By other terms, the Council welcomed the development of an implementation plan for the United Nations Regional Strategy to address the threat and impact of the LRA, as well as other strategic documents. It urged the United Nations Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), in its coordinating role, to join other United Nations presences in enhancing efforts in support of the implementation strategy, calling on the international community to provide assistance where possible.
Further, the Council reiterated its support for the African Union Regional Cooperation Initiative against the LRA and welcomed the finalization of the concept of operations required to make operational the African Union Regional Task Force to combat the LRA threat.
In addition, the Council expressed concern at the recent pause of counter-LRA operations in the Central African Republic in the context of the current crisis in the country, due to the forceful seizure of power, on 24 March, by the Seleka coalition.
Abou Moussa, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa, briefed the Council on recent developments, bringing them up to date on logistical challenges and obstacles, including those which had confined Task Force troops to their respective bases. However, he praised the recent development of a “prioritized and sequenced” implementation plan to carry out the United Nations Regional Strategy against the LRA.
A major source of concern, he said, was the ongoing military operations by Nigerian armed forces against Boko Haram insurgents. Nigerian officials had announced on 20 May that their forces had regained control in five remote areas of the north-east, close to the borders with Cameroon and Chad, where the Islamist insurgents had seized the territory
Further, he noted, the current political security situation in northern Mali continued to negatively impact countries that had sent troops to that country. Following twin attacks against a military base and a French-run uranium mine, Niger’s President, Mahamadou Issoufou, claimed that those involved in the attacks ‑ which left more than two dozen people dead ‑ had entered his country from southern Libya.
Mr. Moussa also reviewed other challenges, including the emerging issue of poaching ‑ known as a major source of financing for armed groups ‑ and the “thorny” issue of youth unemployment. UNOCA aimed to facilitate a subregional conference on the impacts of those matters on the consolidation of peace.
Following his briefing, all 15 members of the Council took the floor to condemn the LRA ‑ which many described as a long-standing “blight” in the heart of Africa ‑ and express support for strengthened, coordinated efforts to end its vicious attacks. While LRA ranks had dwindled, that rebel group had systematically violated international law for more than 25 years, which had led to some 100,000 deaths, the kidnapping of up to 100 children, and displacement of 2.5 million people.
In that vein, delegates welcomed the plan to implement the United Nations Regional Strategy for combating the LRA, as well as other strategic documents. Several speakers, including Luxembourg’s delegate, stressed that the countries affected bore the main responsibility for protecting civilians. She encouraged all States to cooperate with the arrest warrants issued for Joseph Kony, Okot Odhiambo and Dominic Ongwen, stressing: “These leaders of the LRA must be brought to justice.”
Similarly, the representative of the United Kingdom said the demise of the LRA, which he called a “thuggish band of criminals”, was in sight, thanks to efforts by regional and subregional partners. He urged the international community not to lose focus, especially in light of events in the Central African Republic which threatened to undermine progress.
On that point, a few delegates, including Togo’s delegate, urged the Council to consider adopting sanctions against those who had committed gross violations of humanitarian and human rights law during the conflict in the Central African Republic. The lack of public order, catastrophic humanitarian situation and looting in that country called for a determined response by the Council to support the African Union and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).
Also speaking today were the representatives of China, Russian Federation, France, Guatemala, United States, Rwanda, Australia, Argentina, Republic of Korea, Morocco, Pakistan and Azerbaijan.
The meeting opened at 10:35 a.m. and ended at 12:33 p.m.