Statement By The President Of Ghana, His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor, During The Security Counicl Debate

Statement By The President Of Ghana, His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor, During The Security Counicl Debate On "Peace And Security In Africa", Held On Tuesday 25th September, 2007, At The United Nations Headquarters, New York

Mr President,

I am greatly honoured to participate in today's meeting not only because Ghana's tenure in the Security Council coincides with her chairmanship of the African Union but also, because we are anxious to see a speedy reversal of those negative trends that have made our continent the host of more than two-thirds of all UN peacekeeping operations, not to mention the numerous relief agencies that are contributing to the protection of millions of people displaced by conflict.

The impressive number of participants in today's debate on the Peace and Security in Africa and previous ones relating to the subject reflects the growing deep and abiding interests in the well-being of Africa. This is the most re-assuring and encouraging. In particular, we welcome Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon's unwavering commitment and determined efforts to live up to his pledge at the beginning of his term that Africa generally, and the crisis in Darfur, in particular are at the top of his agenda.

While we acknowledge with appreciation, the invaluable support that Africa continues to receive from the international community, it is Ghana's vision, nonetheless, that a new order of peace, unity, democracy and prosperity will soon prevail throughout the continent, in place of its current image of a "disaster zone" always in need of support.

As highlighted in the concept paper prepared by the French delegation, for which France must be commended, many positive developments are taking place in Africa. In Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea Bissau, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and even Sudan, this is evident.

No one can deny, however, that formidable challenges still remain in areas such as illicit trade and proliferation of small arms and light weapons, drugs and human trafficking. The restoration of peace and normalcy on the continent, especially in places of conflict like Somalia and the Eritrea-Ethiopian border is urgent. Reconstruction and consolidation of peace in nations emerging from conflict must also continue to attract significant support from the international community to prevent a relapse.

Emergent threats, such as terrorism, climate change and illegal exploitation of natural resources, equally demand vigilance and decisive action. The good news is that the African Union and its member nations are resolved to take the initiative in tackling these problems, and are in fact making progress. This is the more reason for the international community to complement our endeavours.

Mr President,

I am proud of the contribution AMIS has made so far in Darfur, of course with the support of the international community, in spite of the exceptionally difficult circumstances in which it has been operating, including inadequate logistical and financial assistance.

The sustained presence of AMIS in Darfur is proof enough of the African Union's determination to assume its primary responsibility for peace and stability on the continent.

It is also largely the joint effort of the African Union and the Security Council, especially through the appointment of special envoys, Messrs. Jan Eliasson and Salim Ahmed Salim that there has been the re-launch of political dialogue between most of the Darfur rebels and the government of National Unity in Sudan,

In this regard, we should acknowledge other on-going initiatives to bring normalcy to Sudan, these include;

• The joint effort of Secretary-General ban Ki-Moon and Libyan leader, Brother Muamar al Gadaffi to bring the remaining factional leaders to participate in the dialogue, to achieve fulsome negotiations.
• The now adopted resolution to deploy forces to control the common borders of Sudan, the Central African Republic and Chad to protect refugees and internally displaced persons as well as humanitarian relief workers.
• Various contributions made by regional organizations such as the European Union and the League of Arab States, and several countries notably China, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as a host of NGOs must all be appreciated.

I am confident that the forthcoming peace talks in Tripoli have good prospects for success and I urge all factions to accept to participate.

In the face of these initiatives, let me urge all concerned to endeavour to resolve whatever outstanding issues there are in the path of the deployment of the Hybrid Forces to secure ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access in the region.

Mr President, I cannot conclude my statement without appealing fervently to this Council to show equal commitment to the protracted conflict in Somalia, as in Darfur.

In spite of the AU's initiative in mobilising troops from among members nations to keep the peace in this highly volatile area, and also the ready offer of some states like Ghana to contribute, promised support provided so far from the international community to equip and air-lift the troops has been inadequate and slow in coming.

The Security Council must therefore step in with timeous assistance. It must also consider a contingency plan for the possible deployment of a UN force to replace AMISOM by next February.

Thank you.