Statement by First Deputy Permanent Representative Dmitry Polyanskiy at the UN Security Council Meeting on the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Mr. President,
We thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of MONUSCO Ms.Leila Zerrougui, and Chair of Security Council Committee 1533 and Permanent Representative of Kuwait to the UN Mansour Al-Otaibi for the information they shared.
Today we witness crucial changes in the life of this vast State in Central Africa. We welcome the efforts of the new leadership of the DR Congo regarding political stabilization, i.a. by means of coming into dialogue with the opposition, and establishing constructive relations with regional neighbor-States and international partners. We call upon the Congolese to continue acting in the interests of peace, make steps to prevent any manifestation of violence.
What still raises great concern is the situation in the Eastern provinces of the DRC, which is characterized by a complicated military and political situation, unstopping raids by illegal armed formations, and inter-communal clashes. Add to this an Ebola outbreak, which received a WHO status of a public health emergency of international concern.
We have studied carefully the recent report by the Secretary-General about the work of UN peacekeepers in the DRC. In general, we share the assessments and recommendations contained therein. We believe the UN Mission should maintain the Kinshasa efforts to normalize the situation at the post-electoral stage. We assume it vital to fully engage the constructive approach of new President of the DRC Felix Tshisekedi. Once again, we would like to emphasize that interference in the domestic affairs of the DRC by the United Nations is unacceptable.
Russia, i.a. in its capacity of a member of the Group of Friends of the Great Lakes Region, will set forth active assistance to the peace process in the DR Congo and to stabilization of the overall situation in the Great Lakes Region.
As for the activity of our Sanctions Committee, we believe it should continue to consider various aspect of the Congolese sanctions regime, whereby it should invite representatives of Kinshasa to participate in the discussions. We welcome the visit of the Chair of the Committee to the region that was organized at the end of April and beginning of May. We stand for making such contacts with the regionals in the future as well. We believe this work should rest upon recommendations articulated in the final report of the Group of Experts that were endorsed by the Committee.
We call to be responsible when it comes to the sanctions regime. Everyone should remember that the main goal of our work is to help the Congolese restore order and security in the country.
Thank you.
