[bilingual version, as delivered]
Thank you for attending this important second meeting of the Regional Oversight Mechanism.
I am especially grateful to my co-chair, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
The presence of all here demonstrates your commitment to the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the region.
The extent of violence and human suffering in eastern DRC is overwhelming. I deplore the recent military activities of the M23 and other armed groups in eastern DRC.
I am appalled by the attacks against civilians, including vulnerable women and children. Our MONUSCO staff are working hard to fulfil their mandate and protect these innocent people.
I am also concerned about conditions facing some two million displaced persons in the DRC and refugees in neighbouring countries.
Resources are not keeping up with needs. We are facing a severe strain on our efforts to save lives and alleviate suffering. Hundreds of thousands of people lack much-needed assistance.
We need more resources to help those in need. But more than that, we end the recurring violence by dealing with the root causes of the conflict.
Mesdames et Messieurs,
La première chose à faire est d’apaiser les tensions dans la région pour que l’Accord-cadre puisse être appliqué.
Je me félicite de certains faits récents, notamment de la tenue à Kampala du sommet extraordinaire de la Conférence internationale sur la région des Grands Lacs.
Mon Envoyée spéciale pour la région des Grands Lacs, Mary Robinson, et mon Représentant spécial pour la République démocratique du Congo, Martin Kobler, continuent de s’employer à promouvoir la paix, la sécurité et la coopération.
Ils ont été aidés dans ces efforts par les récentes visites dans la région du Représentant spécial de l’Union africaine, Boubacar Gaoussou Diarra, du Coordonnateur principal de l’Union européenne, Koen Verbaeke et de l’Envoyé spécial des États-Unis, Russ Feingold.
Nous devons concrétiser les engagements pris à Addis-Abeba en février.
Je salue les efforts que vous déployez ensemble, en particulier dans le cadre des travaux du Comité d’appui technique, pour arrêter des objectifs et des indicateurs de progrès. J’espère que vous pourrez adopter aujourd’hui ces objectifs et indicateurs.
Je demande à nouveau à la communauté internationale d’aider les gouvernements des pays de la région à s’acquitter promptement de leurs engagements, avec la participation de la société civile.
Je demande en particulier aux donateurs tels que la Banque africaine de développement, l’Union européenne, la Banque mondiale et les partenaires bilatéraux de réfléchir à des moyens d’apporter une assistance accrue.
Mon Envoyée spéciale, Mary Robinson, continuera d’assurer la coordination avec les pays de la région, les donateurs, les organisations régionales et la société civile de sorte que les habitants de la région des Grands Lacs puissent toucher les dividendes de la paix.
Distinguished Heads of State and Government, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I remain convinced that you can achieve peace, security and cooperation in the region despite the many security and humanitarian challenges.
I urge you to rise to this moment, by adopting and swiftly meeting the proposed regional benchmarks.
When I went to the region in May with the President of the World Bank, Dr. Jim Yong Kim, we personally underscored our support for the Framework Agreement. We wanted to show our strong solidarity to the people. We emphasised that peace and development should go hand in hand.
People lined the streets to express their hopes – and fears.
One woman held a sign that said: “Peace, Peace, Peace, Please.”
Her words represent the plea of millions of people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and beyond who want stability and prosperity.
I count on all of you to help us answer their urgent call.
Thank you.
*****
[all-English version]
Thank you for attending this important second meeting of the Regional Oversight Mechanism.
I am especially grateful to my co-chair, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
The presence of all here demonstrates your commitment to the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the region.
The extent of violence and human suffering in eastern DRC is overwhelming. I deplore the recent military activities of the M23 and other armed groups in eastern DRC.
I am appalled by the attacks against civilians, including vulnerable women and children. Our MONUSCO staff are working hard to fulfil their mandate and protect these innocent people.
I am also concerned about conditions facing some two million displaced persons in the DRC and refugees in neighbouring countries.
Resources are not keeping up with needs. We are facing a severe strain on our efforts to save lives and alleviate suffering. Hundreds of thousands of people lack much-needed assistance.
We need more resources to help those in need. But more than that, we end the recurring violence by dealing with the root causes of the conflict.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The first priority must to address tensions in the region so we can implement the Framework agreement.
I am encouraged by recent developments, including the recent extraordinary summit of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region in Kampala.
My Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, Mary Robinson and my Special Representative in the DRC, Martin Kobler, continue to focus attention on promoting peace, security and cooperation.
Their efforts have been assisted by recent visits to the region by the African Union Special Representative, Boubacar Gaoussou Diarra, the EU Senior Coordinator, Koen Vervaeke and the US Special Envoy, Russ Feingold.
We must move forward with the commitments made in Addis Ababa in February.
I welcome your joint efforts, especially through the work of the Technical Support Committee, to produce benchmarks and indicators of progress. I hope you adopt those today.
I reiterate my appeal to the international community to support the Governments of the region in meeting their commitments in a timely manner with the participation of civil society.
I especially call on donors such as the African Development Bank, the European Union, the World Bank, and bilateral partners to consider how they can do more .
My Special Envoy, Mary Robinson, will continue coordinating with countries in the region, donors, regional organizations and civil society so people in the Great Lakes can reap the dividends of peace.
Distinguished Heads of State and Government, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I remain convinced that you can achieve peace, security and cooperation in the region despite the many security and humanitarian challenges.
I urge you to rise to this moment, by adopting and swiftly meeting the proposed regional benchmarks.
When I went to the region in May with the President of the World Bank, Dr. Jim Yong Kim, we personally underscored our support for the Framework Agreement. We wanted to show our strong solidarity to the people. We emphasised that peace and development should go hand in hand.
People lined the streets to express their hopes – and fears.
One woman held a sign that said: “Peace, Peace, Peace, Please.”
Her words represent the plea of millions of people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and beyond who want stability and prosperity.
I count on all of you to help us answer their urgent call.
Thank you