Statement delivered by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Sérgio França Danese, at the United Nations Security Council Ad Hoc Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa - April 30th, 2024

I thank Ambassador Pedro Comissario, for inviting Brazil to take part in today’s meeting.

I also thank the briefers for their valuable interventions, which enlightened us on the possible ways to move forward on the implementation of resolution 2719 and the relationship between the UNSC and the AUPSC.

Brazil takes pride in having participated, as an elected member of the Security Council, of the negotiations that led to the adoption of resolution 2719.  

As President of the Security Council last October, I had the privilege of chairing the Security Council delegation to the yearly UNSC/AUPSC meeting, during which the discussion of this upcoming resolution was central to our fruitful deliberations.

The adoption of resolution 2719 was a response to the calls from the African Union for predictable, adequate and sustainable financing  for AU-Peace Support Operations. The evolving security landscape in Africa recommends, indeed, a deeper partnership between the UN and the AU, which includes financial support. The implementation of the resolution will demand the further institutionalization of this partnership.

This is especially true when we consider how the decision-making process is structured by the resolution. The capacity of the UN Secretariat and the AU Commission to provide a joint assessment and a Concept of Operations will require close coordination between UN and AU capabilities on the ground, alongside the host state.

One aspect that deserves particular attention is the capacity of AU-led peace support operations to be accountable to the UN Security Concil. The implementation of Chapter VIII of the Charter, notably its Article 54, must be a priority. Accountability on the observation of international law, including human rights law and international humanitarian law, is also key.

On the issue of burden-sharing, the budgetary decisions made by the General Assembly in this regard must be informed by clear mandates and clear operational plans, which, again, rely on a mutual understanding between the AU and the UN.

Mr. Chair,

There is one key aspect of the resolution that must be observed and implemented: the primacy of politics and the need for coherent political strategies for the AU-led peace support operations authorized by the Security Council.

The success or failure of any operation is intrinsically linked to its capacity to build a political environment conducive to sustaining peace. The mandates of AU-led peace support operations  authorized by the Security Council need to support political strategies, opening space for consistent peacebuilding processes.

The path will then be open to an active involvement of the countries concerned with the Peace Building Commission, the able UN organ that, on a strictly voluntary and national ownership basis can provide guidance, assistance and support for countries that are leaving conflict behind and/or trying to prevent conflict.

Thank you.