Statement by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Sérgio França Danese, on the situation in the Great Lakes region - October 17th, 2023

I thank Special Envoy Huang Xia, Executive Secretary João Samuel Caholo from the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region and Ms. Joséphine Malimukono for their briefings. Their perspectives certainly provide important input for the Security Council on the situation at hand. I also welcome the representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda to this meeting.

I duly appreciate the Secretary-General's latest report on the implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region (S/2023/730), as well as the Peacebuilding Commission’s written advice on the Great Lakes region. I commend the work of Special Envoy Huang Xia.

The security situation in the Great Lakes region is of continuing concern. Although the ceasefire between the Congolese armed forces and the Mouvement du 23 mars is still holding, the clashes among armed groups impose a heavy price on the population.

We reiterate the call for all armed groups to lay down their arms. We also call for all external support to illegal armed groups to cease. We hope that the coordination of regional efforts will be able to advance in the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) process. A successful DDR strategy is essential to pave the way towards reconciliation.

We follow with attention the deployment of regional forces, and we hope that they continue their engagement with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). We also took note of ongoing bilateral military cooperation between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its neighbours with a view to curb the attacks of armed groups and help stabilize eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The political dimension of the regional cooperation is of paramount importance. We support the leading role played by the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region and by the Regional Oversight Mechanism. We also highlight the quadripartite summit that took place in Luanda, last June, aimed at coordinating and harmonizing existing peace initiatives.

Colleagues,

Brazil attaches great importance to inclusivity in political processes. The fact that youth and women are active participants in the regional dialogue in the Great Lakes region is essential to ensure the sustainability of these processes.

The United Nations Strategy for Peace Consolidation, Conflict Prevention and Conflict Resolution in the Great Lakes Region is centred on its communities and peoples. Their aspirations for peace, stability and sustainable development should guide diplomatic efforts in the region. Improving their livelihood, especially reducing the burden that the most vulnerable have to bear, should be at the heart of our actions.

We call on the continued implementation of the women and peace and security agenda in the concerned countries. As shown by our briefers, women in the region are champions for peace, and they should be included in all peace initiatives.

Thank you.