Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Anna Evstigneeva at an open VTC of UNSC members on the situation in the Great Lakes Region
Mr.President,
We thank the Special Envoy for the great Lakes Region (GLR), Mr. Huang Xia for a detailed briefing, and Chair of the UN Peacebuilding Commission Mohamed Edrees for his report about the work at this regional track.
We share the concern expressed in the UNSG report over the humanitarian situation in the Great Lakes Region, which has deteriorated due to the pandemic. There have been 1.8 million confirmed COVID-19 cases in the GLR, with more than 58 thousand deaths. According to the updated IMF forecasts, there is a significant economic recession, and a debt crisis is looming.
The situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which remains rather complicated, is a key factor defining the state of affairs in the region. The direst situation with security has developed in Ituri and North Kivu – the areas where the “Allied Democratic Forces” and other groups have been active recently. Since December 2020, militants’ activity killed over 200 civilians. Also, we are concerned over the fact that the DRC authorities so far have been unable to solve the problem of illegal exploitation and export of natural resources from the country, that the illegal armed groups use to finance their activities.
We are convinced that military measures alone would not be able to ensure lasting stabilization in the DRC. We closely follow domestic political developments in that country and expect the new government, which is to be formed soon, to reinstate control of the security situation, improve the humanitarian status, promote sustainable socio-economic development, solve border disputes with neighboring states, settle inter-communal conflicts, and reduce crime.
Against this backdrop, we welcome the regional commitment to cooperation aimed at overcoming the pressing challenges, i.a. through collective efforts. We note the agreements of the November summit of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) that stipulate better coordination of steps taken with regard to members of armed formations, captured in the border areas. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) adopted measures for reconfiguration and support of MONUSCO’s Force Intervention Brigade. Also, there were contacts aimed at boosting economic cooperation and bilateral trade. We note progress in the relations between Uganda and Rwanda that was achieved under the mediation of Presidents of the DRC and Angola. We believe that President Tshisekedi’s chairmanship in the African Union this year will help draw extra attention to this issue.
All the aforementioned efforts are worth every sort of support of the international community. We welcome the work of Secretary-General’s Special Envoy at this track, which is highly demanded. We proceed from the assumption that all countries must observe the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the entire Great Lakes Region. We are convinced that the UN Strategy for peace, conflict prevention and settlement will give an impetus to the collective efforts of the regional actors. We note Special Envoy’s work to prepare a plan of action on the implementation of the Strategy. Also, we support the good offices of Mr. Huang Xia aimed at promoting dialogue, strengthening trust and cooperation, and normalizing the relations between the states of the region.
In conclusion, Russia (i.a. as part of Group of Friends of GLR) pledges its further support for the peace process in the DRC and stabilization in the Great Lakes Region in general.
Thank you.
