Security Council Press Statement on the Situation in the DRC (05.05.2017)

 

The members of the Security Council expressed their concern at the challenges facing the implementation of the 31 December 2016 agreement.

NEW YORK, United States of America, May 5, 2017 – The members of the Security Council continue to closely monitor the recent developments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They have taken note of the appointment by President Joseph Kabila, on 7 April 2017, of a new Prime Minister, Mr. Bruno Tshibala, and of the responses of national stakeholders, including the Rassemblement, as well as the 20 April 2017 statement of the Conférence Episcopale Nationale du Congo.

The members of the Security Council expressed their concern at the challenges facing the implementation of the 31 December 2016 agreement, they noted that the signatories of the agreement were unable to reach a consensus on the special arrangements of the agreement signed on 27 April by some, but not all, of the signatories of the agreement. They called on all stakeholders to redouble their efforts to achieve a greater degree of inclusivity that would help in the resolution of the very serious problems faced by the DRC. They reiterated their call for a swift implementation of the agreement, in good faith and in all its components, in order to organize peaceful, credible, inclusive and timely elections, no later than December 2017, leading to a peaceful transfer of power, in accordance with the Constitution and Security Council resolution 2348 (2017). They noted President Kabila’s expression of support, in his address to the Congress on 5 April 2017, for implementing the agreement in full. They reiterated that effective, swift and timely implementation of the agreement is critical to a credible process and the peace and stability of the DRC, as well as in supporting the legitimacy of the transitional institutions, as it represents a viable road map towards the holding of peaceful and democratic elections.

To this end, the members of the Security Council called on all parties to remain committed to the agreement and the overarching objective of peaceful, credible, free, fair and inclusive elections by the end of 2017, including through the full and equal participation of women. They called in that regard for the swift and inclusive establishment of a government of national unity, the Comité National de Suivi de l’Accord, the adoption of a new electoral law and the full implementation of the confidence building measures agreed in chapter V of the 31 December 2016 agreement, some of which are yet to be implemented. They reiterated their commitment to act accordingly regarding all Congolese actors whose actions and statements impede the implementation of the agreement and the organization of the elections.

The members of the Security Council underscored the responsibility that all Congolese political stakeholders bear at this critical juncture in their country’s history, especially by overcoming their differences to reach consensus and upholding the interests and wellbeing of their people above all other considerations, and in ensuring that they are guided by the rule of law, restraint and the spirit of compromise and dialogue. They called on all concerned political actors, whether in the DRC or abroad, to desist from any actions that could exacerbate tensions. They further called upon all political parties, their supporters, and other political actors to remain calm and refrain from violence of any kind. Recalling Security Council resolution 2348 (2017), they urged the Government as well as all relevant parties to ensure an environment conducive to the conduct of this electoral process, in accordance with the Congolese Constitution, which includes free and constructive political debate, freedom of opinion and expression, including for the press, freedom of assembly, equitable access to media including State media, the security of all political actors, freedom of movement for all candidates, as well as for elections observers and witnesses, journalists, human rights defenders and actors from civil society including women.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their condemnation of the violence witnessed in the Kasaï region over recent months and expressed serious concerns at alleged violations and abuses of human rights committed in the region. They reiterated their serious concern at serious violations of international humanitarian law committed by local militia in that region, recruitment and use of children in armed conflict in violation of applicable international law, as well as attacks on DRC security forces and symbols of State authority. They further reiterated their serious concerns at the recent reports of a number of mass graves and of killings of civilians by members of the security forces of the DRC, all of which might constitute war crimes under international law. They further expressed concerns over the deterioration of the humanitarian and security situation, which has displaced more than 1 million people internally and forced more than 11,000 people to flee the country. They underlined the urgent need for safe and unhindered access for humanitarian actors.

The members of the Security Council also reiterated the importance and urgency of prompt and transparent investigations into violations of international humanitarian law and violation or abuses of human rights in the Kasais region. They further reiterated their intention to closely monitor progress of the investigations into these violations, including the disproportionate use of force, which will be conducted jointly by the Government of the DRC, MONUSCO and the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office in the DRC, and in collaboration with the AU, as announced by the Government of the DRC, in order to bring to justice and hold accountable all those responsible, and they look forward to their results.

The members of the Security Council stressed the need for a swift and full investigation into the killing of the two members of the Group of Experts established pursuant to Security Council resolution 1533 (2004) and underlined the need for full cooperation from the Government of the DRC. In this context, they further welcomed the Secretary General’s establishment of a UN Board of Inquiry to investigate the deaths of the two experts and his commitment that the United Nations will do everything possible to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of the DRC.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their support to the efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary General, the African Union and regional organizations in helping to ensure the full implementation of the 31 December 2016 agreement, in accordance with Security Council resolution 2348 (2017).

UNMISS peacekeepers repel attack on base in famine area (05.05.2017)

Between 11pm and midnight on Wednesday, the Mission’s Temporary Operating Base (TOB) in Leer town in the former Unity State came under small arms attack from the direction of the nearby Government-held town.

JUBA, South Sudan, May 5, 2017 – An attack on a United Nations base has been strongly condemned by the head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), David Shearer, as being carried out with callous disregard for the lives for civilians as well as UN and humanitarian workers.

Between 11pm and midnight on Wednesday, the Mission’s Temporary Operating Base (TOB) in Leer town in the former Unity State came under small arms attack from the direction of the nearby Government-held town.

The Ghanaian company of UNMISS peacekeeping forces based there quickly and robustly returned fire, deterring the attack.

David Shearer praised the response of the Ghanaian forces for successfully repelling the attack and remaining on high alert throughout the night.

“They reacted in the best possible manner, according to the true spirit of peacekeeping. Their quick defensive action secured the safety of all of the internally displaced people who had sought UN protection adjacent to the base,” he said.

“We strongly condemn the attack, and call on all parties to the conflict to respect the sanctity of UN premises.

“We are here to protect and support the people of South Sudan. The base is located at Leer for that reason. The people are hungry and deprived as the result of the famine. However, it is clear the attackers have no consideration for their plight, given those who most desperately need help will suffer more because of a likely resulting delay of humanitarian aid,” said David Shearer.

There were no UNMISS or other casualties within the base from the attack.

Currently, there is no confirmation of which party to the conflict carried out the attack. UNMISS is continuing to investigate the incident and will examine whether the TOB needs to be further strengthened.

Eritrea must free prize winning journalist, says UN human rights expert (03.05.2017)

Mr. Isaak was arrested in September 2001 during a political crackdown on the so-called G-15, a group of politicians, and journalists critical of Government policies.

GENEVA, Switzerland, May 3, 2017 – The Government of Eritrea must free journalist Dawit Isaak who has been awarded a prestigious press freedom prize some 15 years after he was detained, a United Nations human rights expert says.

The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, Sheila B. Keetharuth, is also calling on the authorities in Asmara to release unconditionally all others detained unlawfully.

“The Eritrean authorities should stop the practice of arrests and detention carried out without legal basis instantly,” said Ms. Keetharuth, welcoming the award of the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize 2017 to Mr. Isaak.

Dawit Isaak, who is 52 and a playwright, journalist and writer, moved to Sweden in 1987, where he later became a citizen. He returned to Eritrea only after independence in 1993 and was one of the founders and reporters of Setit, the first independent newspaper in the country.

Mr. Isaak was arrested in September 2001 during a political crackdown on the so-called G-15, a group of politicians, and journalists critical of Government policies. Some were detained and tortured, others disappeared. The last known sighting of Mr. Isaak was in 2005. His whereabouts now are unknown.

“The case of Mr. Isaak is emblematic of all those who have been subjected to enforced disappearances by the Government of Eritrea and remain unaccounted for,” said Ms. Keetharuth.

The Special Rapporteur recalled the findings of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea, which concluded that there were reasonable grounds to believe that Eritrean officials had committed crimes against humanity, including the crime of enforced disappearance, in a persistent, widespread and systematic manner since 1991.

“The Government of Eritrea has an obligation to urgently provide information on the fate and whereabouts of all those deprived of physical liberty. This would be a first and long-overdue indication that the Government is committed to rebuilding trust with the Eritrean people,” Ms. Keetharuth said.

“By allowing independent monitors immediate and unhindered access to all places of detention, official and unofficial, the Government would send a strong signal that it acknowledges human rights violations of the past, while taking steps to improve the situation on the ground now.
“The arrests of Dawit Isaak and his fellow journalists remain the most visible sign of repression of freedom of expression. The Eritrean authorities continue to stifle all forms of expression that could be perceived as critical of the Government and its policies,” she said.

Ms. Keetharuth reaffirmed that freedom of expression was a basic human right, and a free press one of the tenets of a democratic society, providing a valuable check on potential excesses by government.

RDC: Lettre – “Motion de Censure contre le Gouvernment provincial du Haut-Lomami” (02.05.2017)

RDC: Communiqué de l’UDPS du 02 mai 2017

VII Session Extraordinaire du CEEAC – Communique Finale du Conseil des Ministres (29.04.2017)

SPLM-IO: “Response to Reuters Article: Some African States Oppose a return by South Sudan Rebel Machar” – Wednesday April 26, 2017 (28.04.2017)

RDC: Memorandum de la Jeunesse Katumbiste du Nord Kivu au Representant Special du Secretaire General des Nations Unies en RD Congo – “Obtension de l’Abandon des Poursuites Judiciaires Contre l’Honnorable Moise Katumbi Shapwe et Son Retour au Pays” (26.04.2017)

South Sudan: Intense Fighting Around Kodok Forces Up to 25,000 People to Flee Without Humanitarian Support (27.04.2017)

The humanitarian organizations that have up until now been providing essential medical services, water, food, non-food items and shelter have had to temporarily suspend activities on the west bank of the Nile River because of the increasing insecurity.

GENEVA, Switzerland, April 27, 2017 -Over the last three days, close to 25,000 people have been displaced by intense fighting between the South Sudan People’s Liberation Army and the Agwelek forces around the town of Kodok. The humanitarian organizations that have up until now been providing essential medical services, water, food, non-food items and shelter have had to temporarily suspend activities on the west bank of the Nile River because of the increasing insecurity.
“This is a disaster in the making, just as the demand is greatest,” said Marcus Bachmann, Doctors without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières’ (MSF) head of mission for South Sudan. “Hospitals in the area are not operational, and water deliveries are unreliable. Yesterday no water deliveries were made to the IDPs because of the fighting. Given the scorching heat and the exposure of population to the elements, soon we will see people suffering from chronic dehydration and diarrhea as well as diseases like cholera.”

MSF had been providing emergency medical support—including at a field hospital and through two mobile units in the area—to the 13,000 displaced people who had fled fighting in the area in January. However, MSF has been forced to suspend activities because of the recent surge in violence.

Escaping the violence is difficult as positions are rapidly changing hands between the different forces, and displaced people find themselves surrounded by conflict on all sides. Without protection, many will have few other options than to leave for camps in Sudan where they can find refuge. Those who decide to go face a long and arduous journey on foot with hardly any access to food or water.

“We are calling on both parties to ensure that all civilians are protected from the fighting and provided with safe and secure access to essential humanitarian services,” Bachmann said. “As we have been forced to suspend most of our operations, we have provided runaway bags which contain essential medicines and supplies so that our staff who are with the fleeing IDPs can provide basic treatment in the field.”

With the rainy season approaching, it seems likely that the flow of people leaving for Sudan will increase as they avoid being trapped in the area.

Water remains a major concern for these new IDPs. On Tuesday, the people in and around the nearby town of Aburoc only had access to about 16,000 gallons of water per day. This is only an average of less than half a gallon per person, well below the amount needed for survival. On Wednesday, there were no deliveries of water because of the fighting. Water trucks are on hand to resume limited deliveries, but only if the situation becomes safer.

The South Sudanese Pound continue to lose value!

As the results of the instability in South Sudan, the Republic’s currency continues to be devalued and lose trust compared to the United States Dollars, as the people using it has to use more to get the services needed. The news from Juba of the amount of South Sudanese Pounds needed to exchange to US Dollars are showing the little value the currency currently have. That even in midst of years, the taxi-fares in the capital has risen 50 times from 1 SSP to 50SSP. This show’s the lacking financial structure and the fiscal policies to underline the paradigm. Certainly that is dwindling with the civil war between the government and rebels, as well as famine and use of funds to buy arms! Take a brief look!

In Juba: The South Sudanese Pounds continue to depreciate against the U.S. dollars, early this morning at Konyo Konyo Market trades were buying $100 at 21,500 SSP. Taxi drivers have also lifted the fare by charging 50 SSP for a distance that used to cost 1 SSP in 2014” (MirayaFM, 24.04.2017)

That this is the reality, proves the problems in the simplest forms, that the Republic of South Sudan, cannot keep their inflation at bay. The SSP are losing value and it happens quick. The local currency is soon worthless and the paper is more expensive, than the real value of the currency. This is the reaction to the violence, the despair and famine. The Currency is just the proof of the dire situation, as the Taxi Drivers are hurting and have to gain more money to be able to sustain their living in Juba. Therefore, this is the evidence of the issues that are in the country, by just seeing the numbers and the value of their currency. This should be so easy to grasp and understand. When the price of the same service has not only doubled or tripled, but gone up 50 times! Peace.