New York, 22 October 2010

Statement by H.E. Mr. Ivan Barbalić, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United Nations
at the UN Security Council Debate
on Peace and security in Africa
Report of the Secretary-General on support to African Union peacekeeping
operations authorized by the United Nations (S/2010/514)

Allow me to welcome you, Sir, in assuming the delicate role in the Council chair today. I would like to thank you for organizing this debate to discuss the important issue of support for African Union peacekeeping operations authorized by United Nations mandate. We are grateful to the Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, and the African Union Commissioner, Mr. Ramtane Lamamra, for their comprehensive briefings. It is also an honour to welcome His Excellency Mr. Henry Odein Ajumogobia and thank him for his contribution. We also welcome the Secretary-General’s report (S/2010/514) before us, noting the progress that has been achieved thus far.

Bosnia and Herzegovina attaches great importance to enhanced cooperation between regional and subregional organizations and the United Nations. Strengthening cooperation and strategic partnership between the United Nations and the African Union (AU) is of key importance for conflict prevention, crisis management and achieving lasting peace and security on the African continent.

Further enhancement of cooperation between the Security Council and the AU Peace and Security Council is vital for reaching those objectives. It should result in concrete action on the modalities and means for the development of strategic partnerships when addressing issues of mutual interest and concern.

The African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur and the African Union Mission in Somalia are illustrative examples of cooperation based on flexibility and making best use of the comparative advantages of the African Union and United Nations in the area of effective peacekeeping and peacebuilding strategies.

The United Nations Secretariat and African Union Commission need to ensure the complementarities of their efforts, as well as realistic benchmarks and timelines. Strengthening the efforts of African Union and its institutional capacity to effectively plan, deploy and manage peacekeeping operations is a key prerequisite for their success. It is also of high importance that the African Union ensure leadership and ownership of the process. Bosnia and Herzegovina furthermore considers that closer cooperation between the United Nations Secretariat and African Union Commission will, in addition, minimize duplication of efforts. The establishment of the United Nations Office to the African Union is a practical step in that direction.

We commend the progress made in the past years in the area of implementing the 10-year capacity-building programme. We also welcome the launching of the United Nations-African Union Joint Task Force on Peace and Security on 25 September 2010. Such initiatives and increasing United Nations engagement in Africa will provide adequate ways forward to make the African peace and security architecture fully operational as soon as possible.

As stated in the Secretary-General’s report, focusing on developing the capacities of the peace and security architecture, particularly in the areas of peacemaking, peacekeeping and peacebuilding, is crucial. In that regard, the operationalization of the African Standby Force and the continental early warning system should continue to be priority areas of joint engagement. We welcome the idea of utilizingmore efficiently the Security Council’s Ad Hoc Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa as a forum for discussing substantive issues related to peace and security in Africa.

Despite many positive developments, the challenge of predictable, flexible and timely financing remains an issue of concern. Therefore, it is vital that all parties concerned continue their engagements in activities aimed at reaching feasible solutions to that important element of comprehensive and effective implementation of peacekeeping and peacebuilding mandates in Africa.

We are encouraged by the fact that African Union Commission has implemented significant reforms targeting the areas of staffing, budgeting, financial management and accountability, which have resulted in improved and effective financial management, accountability and reporting.

The decision of the African Union and its member States to broaden the resource base and extend resource mobilization by 12 per cent of its regular budget to financing the African Union’s Peace Fund reflects the political commitment to take responsibility for peacekeeping operations. Bosnia and Herzegovina warmly welcomes this decision.

Finally, the cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations, including the African Union, becomes more and more important in addressing the challenges of the contemporary world.

Bosnia and Herzegovina expresses its full support for the efforts of the African Union as the regional factor in resolving conflicts and upholding peace and security in the region.

In conclusion, allow me to express our support for the draft presidential statement prepared by the delegation of Uganda.
 
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