Statement by H.E. Ambassador Koro Bessho
Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
Statement After the Vote (MONUSCO)
31 March 2017

 

 

Mr. President,

 

Before starting, let me join previous speakers in expressing our condolences to the families of Michael and Zaida, the two brave and dedicated members of the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The parties responsible for these deaths must be held accountable.

 

Mr. President,

 

Japan welcomes the unanimous adoption of Resolution 2348. I would like to thank France for taking the lead in preparing this Resolution. Japan is pleased to have co-sponsored the Resolution. 

 

Our common goal is to stabilize the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and achieve a progressive exit of MONUSCO. Let me underscore two points in this regard:  

Firstly, through this Resolution, the Security Council reaffirms its strong support for the implementation of the 31 December 2016 Political Agreement mediated by CENCO.

 

Japan calls on President Kabila and all Congolese political actors to swiftly implement the Agreement and accelerate preparations for elections to be held by the end of this year. This is the only viable way to consolidate and sustain peace and stability in the DRC.

 

Secondly, Japan values that the Security Council has reaffirmed its commitment to making the Mission more efficient, by authorizing MONUSCO a clearer and better-prioritized mandate, in line with the Secretary-General’s efforts.

 

Japan reaffirms its full support for MONUSCO and the Special Representative of the Secretary General, Mr. Maman Sambo Sidikou.

 

I thank you, Mr. President.