Explanation of vote by Deputy Permanent Representative Anna Evstigneeva after the UNSC vote on a draft resolution on financing African Union peace operations
Mr.President,
The Russian Federation supported a draft framework resolution of the Security Council resolution on financing peacekeeping operations that was prepared by African delegations on the Council - Ghana, Gabon and Mozambique – under the auspices of the African Union.
We consistently support the independent efforts of African states to maintain peace and security on the continent. We advocate the progressive development of United Nations cooperation with the African Union and sub-regional organizations based on the principle "African solutions to the African problems".
The Russian Federation voted in favor of this resolution because we are convinced that sober assessment by the countries of the region of existing threats and ways of overcoming them, as well as their readiness to bear the risks in responding to challenges to peace and security is key to the success of African operations. At the same time, it is important that African countries have room to make their own decisions on the modalities of countering threats regardless of the form of external financial assistance. We regret that until the very last moment this issue used to be a stumbling block that hindered the negotiation process, aimed at developing collective agreements on how the global community can better respond to crises in Africa.
We believe that states of the region have (and continue to) prove that the pan-African command and control system is coherent and effective, and that they adhere to international standards in the area of human rights and IHL norms in the conduct of operations.
What we believe crucial is that the resolution will allow to increase the predictability, reliability and flexibility of resources for the maintenance of peace and security on the African continent under the leadership of the African Union. With this decision, the Security Council expresses its confidence in the region's leadership in crisis management in Africa and readiness to step up engagement with the UN in the interest of international peace and security. At the same time, the Security Council and the UN General Assembly retain their prerogatives under the Charter of the United Nations.
We congratulate our African colleagues on adopting this resolution and thank them for professionalism and hard work.
Thank you.
