Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations

Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations

Statement by Mr.Petr Illiichev, First Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations, at the Security Council after the vote on the resolution on the 'Sahel Five'

 We endorse the words of sympathy and condolence that have been expressed over the deaths of the Tanzanian peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We express our condolences to all the relatives and friends of the people of Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo who died and wish the injured a speedy recovery.

The Russian delegation voted in favour of resolution 2391 (2017), on the provision of technical and material support to the Joint Force of the Group of Five for the Sahel because of the importance of the international community providing assistance to that regional alliance.

The Joint Force, approved under resolution 2359 (2017), provides an appropriate response to the challenges in the Sahel region in line with the principle that African problems requires African soluitions. We are convinced that that is the only way to achieve lasting peace in Africa.

We believe that it is important to assist the Joint Force, since it will not only face counter-terrorism challenges but also seek to eradicate cross-border criminal groups that fuel terrorism.

We welcome the rapid deployment of the Joint Force on the ground and the fact that the first operation has taken place. We encourage the strengthened cooperation among the participants in the Joint Force on the future deployment of troops in line with the agreed planning. We would once again underscore that only the truly coordinated efforts of all members of the regional Sahel group, without exception, can lead to effective results.

In conclusion, we would like to point out that, in this era of globalization, terrorism has become global in nature. That threat can be eradicated only by presenting the broadest possible front, for which Russia has long been calling. We will continue to provide concrete assistance to the people of the Sahel through our bilateral channels.