UK welcomes UN Security Council adoption of resolution renewing MONUSCO mandate
Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant delivers Explanation of Vote on adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2098.
Thank you Mr. President.
The United Kingdom welcomes the adoption of Security Council resolution 2098 and thanks France for its leading role in securing agreement on it.
The United Kingdom joins the broader international community in welcoming the Peace Security and Cooperation Framework as an opportunity for the Democratic Republic of Congo to enter a period of lasting peace, of increased prosperity, and one in which civilians can go about their lives in safety. One where justice is done, and seen to be done. One where the women of eastern DRC no longer need to fear sexual violence and children are protected from the impact of conflict. This resolution is an important step in that direction.
The signatories of the Framework must now play their part by meeting their commitments. And this Council must play its part too, in providing the long-term and sustained oversight on the DRC that has too often been lacking on our part. In this regard, we welcome the appointment of President Mary Robinson as Special Envoy. These are all vital pieces of a comprehensive approach to addressing the root causes of crisis in eastern DRC.
Mr President,
Renewing MONUSCO’s mandate, with the inclusion of an Intervention Brigade, is an important means by which the UN contributes to the realisation of this vision. By doing so, the Security Council and the UN has moved into new territory. For it to succeed it will be important that the whole mission, including all its troop contingents whether part of the Intervention Brigade or not, are willing and able to implement fully the whole of the mission’s mandate. This is one mission, with one mandate, one Special Representative and one Force Commander.
The work of a peacekeeping force is reliant on the generosity of those countries that contribute their troops. The dedication of military expertise does not come without cost to those nations. We recognise the sacrifices made by them in pursuit of their duties, in full delivery of the Mission’s Chapter VII mandate and in carrying out MONUSCO’s top priority, which is the protection of civilians. We strongly support the Troop Contributing Countries in undertaking this work.
Mr. President,
UN Peacekeeping has come a long way. Years of experience have led to the development of methods that integrate fully the work undertaken by the civilian and military components of a peacekeeping operation. Resolution 2086, adopted by this Council in January this year, set out the need for such an integrated approach to peacekeeping. We therefore expect MONUSCO to conduct all its tasks in an integrated manner, while making the best use of its civilian, police and military capabilities and acting under a unified leadership. MONUSCO Peacekeepers must follow a comprehensive, multidimensional approach, whether or not they wear uniforms. This is the recipe for successful peacekeeping.
In this context, we welcome the work mandated by the resolution to set out the division of labour between MONUSCO and the UN Country Team. This will inform a much needed roadmap on the transfer of tasks from the mission. It will play an important role in guiding the way forward for the UN family to work together to build peace in DRC.
Thank you Mr President.