00:00 Mr. President, special thanks to your delegation for convening today's open debate which has
00:06 relevance for international peace, stability, and development.
00:12 Investing in mechanisms to sustain peace is important, especially as we have seen how
00:17 emerging and systemic threats like the pandemic can exacerbate conflict and undermine peace.
00:26 In the same context, building and sustaining peace requires addressing the root causes
00:31 of conflicts and crises, including poverty, exclusion, inequality, and discrimination.
00:38 Reacting to cycles of violence is unsustainable.
00:43 Rwanda believes that peace is a long-term investment, and our commitment to peacebuilding
00:48 is informed by our strong belief in our common humanity and the dignity of all people.
00:54 In this regard, lasting peace can only be built from within.
01:00 Rwanda remains committed to sharing our experience in peacebuilding and sustaining peace through
01:05 bilateral mechanisms and with our UN family.
01:10 Our journey to sustaining peace has shown us that inclusive and effective national ownership
01:17 is key to sustaining peace.
01:20 It is our view that we need to support this while devising future programs for sustaining
01:25 peace.
01:26 Talking about building peace and sustaining it means nothing unless accompanied by concrete
01:32 steps and actions.
01:34 In this spirit, fulfilling Goal 16 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, building
01:41 peaceful, just, and inclusive societies, is more imperative now than ever before.
01:48 Mr. President, Rwanda's journey to sustaining peace has focused on a people-centered approach,
01:54 ownership, inclusiveness, and accountability.
01:57 Strengthening institutions has become a core value in our system.
02:02 This approach has influenced us in designing bottom-up, homegrown solutions, such as imihigo,
02:08 or performance contracts, between local leaders and their constituencies.
02:13 These homegrown solutions are customized to the aspirations of the citizens, ensuring
02:18 that no one is left behind in contributing to overall development.
02:23 Mr. President, governments have a responsibility to protect their citizens.
02:29 And therefore, when we discuss socioeconomic development, human rights, and humanitarian
02:34 issues, governments should be core actors to ensure their people lead a dignified life.
02:41 When governments exhibit political will and honor their duties and commitments, peacebuilding
02:47 and investing in peace becomes both achievable and sustainable.
02:52 Mr. President, sustaining peace in the Great Lakes region is a desire of all regional countries,
02:58 including Rwanda.
02:59 It is in this regard that Rwanda reiterates deep concern about the evolving security situation
03:06 in North and South Chivu in DRC, which remains a serious threat to the hard-earned peace
03:12 and security in the region.
03:15 The endemic cycle of violence, atrocities, and acts of genocide in eastern DRC, specifically
03:21 against Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese, results from structural failures, with the absence
03:26 of state authority to guarantee safety and security for its people and its perovera effects
03:32 to neighboring countries.
03:34 Persecution, discrimination, insecurity, consistent threats, and violence against a
03:40 section of Congolese citizens have forced close to 80,000 Congolese to seek refuge in
03:46 Rwanda and many others in neighboring countries, including Burundi, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
03:56 Regarding the refugee issue and preventing future internal displacement crisis are inextricably
04:07 linked to achieving long-lasting peace in the region.
04:12 In order to resolve the refugee crisis and achieve sustainable peace, root causes must
04:18 be addressed without delay.
04:21 Disregarding the root causes of the refugee crisis further exacerbates instability, which
04:26 threatens peacebuilding and peacekeeping efforts.
04:29 Indeed, to achieve sustainable peace, the plight of these Congolese facing perpetual
04:34 internal displacement and indefinite exile without a viable prospect to return home must
04:40 be categorically and structurally addressed.
04:43 Mr. President, DRC is home to over 130 armed groups, including EFDERA, a UN-sanctioned
04:51 armed group that committed genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda and which possesses a
04:56 strong authority in the eastern DRC.
05:00 As a consequence, EFDERA and its sprinter groups continue to pose a serious threat not
05:07 only to the Congolese people but Rwanda's peace and sustainability.
05:12 Rwanda cannot sustain its hard-earned peace with this looming threat at the doorstep in
05:18 the DRC.
05:20 In this regard, the UN Security Council must genuinely assist the region in bringing about
05:26 lasting peace in the DRC by tackling the root causes and the drivers of conflict.
05:32 The UN Security Council should stop highlighting the symptoms of insecurity in the DRC while
05:37 evading the root causes.
05:39 Double standards and scapegoating only embroider those who should be responsible for peacebuilding.
05:46 Mr. President, to conclude, Rwanda believes that a holistic and coordinated approach to
05:52 promoting peace is grounded in effective national ownership, cooperation, and partnerships.
05:59 Inclusive peacebuilding requires the empowerment and active involvement of actors across all
06:05 segments of society, including at the grassroots level.
06:10 Rwanda also believes that building peace is more than just ending conflict.
06:18 It is about building trust and harmony and strengthening the social contract between
06:23 the state and its people.
06:25 Yet sustainable peace cannot be obtained only at the national level but also through regional
06:32 and international efforts.
06:33 I thank you for your kind attention.
06:35 [MUSIC PLAYING]
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