|
 |
ILEKA ATOKI (Democratic
Republic of the Congo), noting the particularly difficult
circumstances posed by the crisis in the global financial system, the
rising prices of food and fuel, and the effects of climate change,
stressed how acutely those problems were affecting developing
countries, and called for urgent, collective and determined action to
prevent them from imperilling international peace and security.
In addition to the recommendations
articulated at the Rome Summit, the Democratic Republic of the Congo
called for innovative and urgent action to combat the global food
crisis. It also endorsed the World Food Programme’s appeal for
additional funds.He said his country had hosted a conference of the
Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) in July and was
determined to actively uphold the measures devised then.
|
| It was also
committed to honouring those United Nations Conventions it had signed
aimed at combating the effects of climate change, by fighting
desertification and protecting biodiversity.
As home to 60 per cent of the Congo
Basin, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was aware of the role it
could play to help combat climate change. It would willingly do so
provided the international community played its part by providing due
compensation for the environmental benefits provided to humanity by
the Congolese forests.
With the promise of a great future, but weakened by
years of poor governance, the Democratic Republic of the Congo had
risen again as a State, a people and a democracy, he said. Following
its successful reunification and subsequent elections, the country had
launched efforts for its long-term reconstruction. The improvements
it had made, however, must be shored up in light of the dangerous
events in the east of the country. Indeed, the actions of the
National Congress for People’s Defence (CNDP) had made it impossible
for several eastern provinces to enjoy the benefits of peace, security
and reconstruction. Recent outbreaks of fighting had led to huge
displacements of the population.
Despite progress elsewhere, that group -- in
addition to the Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda (FDLR) --
continued to sow death and destruction, he said. To reverse that
trend, the Government was working to mobilize information campaigns to
promote disarmament among the Rwandan groups; to encourage their
disarmament and voluntary repatriation; and to deploy brigades to act,
in concert with forces from the United Nations Organization Mission in
the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC). A disengagement plan,
drawn up by MONUC, had also been accepted. It would come into force
on 1 October and have 45 days to work. The United Nations should
provide a clear mandate for MONUC to enforce peace and security as a
matter of the Organization’s credibility. Indeed, there was no more
legitimate use of force than that by the United Nations.
Beyond the pursuit of peace in the east, the
Democratic Republic of the Congo was working to ensure social
development, he said, adding that justice was a pillar in that
effort. Entire families had been wiped out, mass graves had been
found and women and girls had been raped. Given that lingering
tragedy, justice was what was most needed. That would mean ending
impunity. How else could the rape of women and girls be ended or the
abuse of human rights arrested if warlords were not punished. Thus,
justice was a foundation for peace -- national justice preferably, but
international justice if necessary.
[Source:
GA/10758]
|
