Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Anna Evstigneeva at UNSC briefing on cooperation between the United Nations and regional and sub-regional organizations (African Union)
Mr.President,
We thank the Special Representative of the United Nations to the African Union, Mr. Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, the Permanent Observer of the African Union, Ms. Fatima Kyari Mohammed, and civil society representative for their briefings. I have specifically noted the words of our briefers about the need to prioritize search for political solutions.
Russia welcomes strengthening of partnership of the United Nations and the African Union on issues of peace and security in Africa. This interaction is truly developing at all levels. The two organizations hold regular conferences with special envoys and special representatives briefing the major bodies. UNSC and AU Peace and Security Council convene annually for joint sessions, the most recent of which took place in Addis Ababa last week. We welcome the first ever visit to Ethiopia’s capital of UNSC Ad Hoc Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa. The discussions deepened our understanding of Africa’s outstanding problems and the results that have been attained in creating African peace and security architecture.
We believe that the potential for African Union’s cooperation with the United Nations has not been fully unlocked yet. We share the willingness of the AU to make dialogue between our two Councils more targeted and “vivid”, harmonize their agendas relating to Africa’s problems.
At the same time, we agree with Secretary-General’s report as it says that situation in many regions of African remains very unstable. A number of countries are living through acute stages of political and socio-economic crises. Traditional systemic problems that impede lasting peace and security are further exacerbated by emerging challenges. Inter-ethnic conflicts remain unresolved, numerous terrorist organizations are very active, and that includes Al-Qaida, Boko Haram, and Al-Shabaab. Against the backdrop of weak and incapable state institutions, as well as low combat capacity of national military and law enforcement, local authorities turn out unable to maintain domestic security and stability. The situation becomes further exacerbated by unilateral sanctions measures against some African states that undermine the socio-economic well-being of the population.
We note progress in overcoming some crises, where efforts of the African Union played a considerable role. The most telling examples are the AU-facilitated agreement on cessation of hostilities in northern Ethiopia (of November 2022) and UN-AU joint work in Somalia. We also note the important role of sub-regional organizations in strengthening regional peace and security. This being said, we must recall with sadness numerous other cases when African mediation efforts were sidetracked or thwarted deliberately by external stakeholders. It seemed that Libya’s 2011 experience must have told us something, however such attempts have persisted to this day.
Mr.President,
Tangible progress has been made with ensuring predictable, sustainable, and flexible peacekeeping of African peacekeeping on the continent. As landmark developments at this track, we view the consensus document adopted by the AU in February this year, as well as the April report of the UN Secretary-General. Russia stands with African countries on the need to adopt effective measures at this track. We do not think this is normal that peace and security in Africa are made conditional on occasional assistance packages from certain states or associations. Our global Organization has repeatedly provided material and financial support for African peace and security efforts that involved i.a. member states’ assessed contributions.
In this connection, we commend AU’s decisions to draw funds from the AUPF and Crisis Reserve Facility. This step confirms in practical terms rather than just in words the principle “African solutions to African problems”.
We are ready to join a targeted discussions on prospective future planning and joint decision-making as regards African peacekeeping missions on the continent, including the most viable financing models, as part of the forthcoming negotiations on a specialized UNSC draft resolution.
Let me also underscore that solidarity of African countries in assessing political ways of resolving problems and threats, as well as their willingness to bear the risks in dealing with those challenges and establish a coherent and effective command and control system is key to the success of regional efforts. Speaking of financing modalities, whichever of them appear appropriate and come to be discussed today, only independence of African states in terms of resources will give them some true space for making own political decisions on how to deal with threats. That is a long and a difficult road, but it is certainly a strategic goal of our African friends in order to overcome the consequences of the colonial past and contemporary neo-colonial practices.
Russia provides diversified support to African peacekeeping efforts on the continent both bilaterally and by training African military and law enforcement personnel at Russian higher education facilities. Let me point out the training of peacekeepers, including those from Africa, on the basis of the UN-certified All-Russian Institute for Advanced Training of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, and the military training and research center of the Army of the Russian Ministry of Defense.
In conclusion, I would like to reaffirm my country's readiness to continue equal cooperation with African partners, and our focus on strengthening their potential in accordance with the decisions of the Russia-Africa summits in Sochi and St. Petersburg.
Thank you.
