大湖地域情勢に関する安保理会合における志野大使ステートメント

I would like to express my gratitude to Special Envoy Xia, ASG Msuya and Ms. Vaweka for their briefings. I also welcome the participation of representatives from Angola, the DRC, and Rwanda.  　
 
It is regrettable to see the continued and increasing violence by armed groups, which has further aggravated the human security crisis in the eastern DRC since our last meeting six months ago. Tensions have been heightened between the DRC and Rwanda, and now between Rwanda and Burundi as well. We have deep concern over the growing possibility of another all-out regional conflict.
 
The signatory countries must fully implement the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the Region (PSC framework) at the national, regional, and international levels. It remains vital to bring sustainable peace and stability in the region.
 
Foremost among the collective commitments inscribed in the framework, there is an urgent requirement to fulfill the regional commitments, particularly “to neither tolerate nor provide assistance or support of any kind to armed groups” and “to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of neighbouring countries”. Reported ongoing support to armed groups only exacerbates instability on the ground and adds misery to people’s lives, especially women and children. It must be stopped immediately.
 
We would like to reiterate that breaking the cycle of violence requires a political solution through inclusive dialogues encompassing the key demands of all sides. Meaningful participation of women and youth must be ensured in that endeavor. The Nairobi process and the Luanda process are playing a central role in the ongoing regional peace initiatives. In this regard, Japan commends Kenya’s and Angola’s efforts as mediator to facilitate dialogues between the DRC and Rwanda.
 
All regional initiatives should be well-coordinated and guided by the primacy of diplomacy. Here, Special Envoy Xia and his office can play a significant role in promoting confidence building among regional states, and in bringing synergy to various regional arrangements including the EAC, ECCAS, ICGLR and SADC. The Contact and Coordination Group should be further utilized to analyze and bridge the gap among the regional states and promote the use of non-military measures to counter activities of armed groups.
 
Madam President,
 
The complexity of the challenges the region faces requires us to take a comprehensive, cross-border approach based on the Humanitarian-Development-Peace nexus.  Judicial cooperation is one of the areas to be prioritized through that approach for consolidating the much-needed rule of law throughout the region. We welcome the well-focused written advice submitted by the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) in this area, and the contents should be carefully considered by all signatories of the PSC framework. We look forward to further contributions by the PBC.
 
Revitalization of the PSC framework requires strong political will and tangible actions by all the stakeholders. Japan will continue to play its part for a peaceful and prosperous Great Lakes Region.
 
I thank you.