Statement by the delegation of Ukraine at the UNSC briefing on the situation in the Lake Chad Basin region

Mr. President

I also wish to thank all today’s briefers for their important inputs.

This March the Security Council, on the heels of its successful visit to the Lake Chad Basin region, adopted the resolution 2349, which became timely and dedicated instrument with the aim to respond adequately to the complex crisis in the region.

Still, as we have just heard from briefers, the Lake Chad Basin region continues to endure a dire humanitarian and security situation. Extreme poverty, severe food insecurity and malnutrition, weak governance, climate change, particularly desertification, destructive activities of Boko Haram — all these factors contribute to this disastrous state of affairs.

For one, Boko Haram continues to pose a threat to civilian population in the region. Like a drowning man catching at a straw, terrorists resort to the usage of all available means, particularly suicide attacks. This only proves that they are losing their combat capacity and the regional strategy of countering this threat is working.

In this regard, we commend the efforts of the Multinational Joint Task Force and other actors, who are fighting this terrorist group. But countries of the region need additional support of the international community to prevail in this fight once and for all.

Namely, the UN and other relevant partners should continue their efforts in helping the Force to prevent and address violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law in the context of their military operations. In this regard, we commend efforts of the relevant UN entities which are closely working in the region towards the establishment of a Human Rights Due Diligence Policy framework.

Without such as instrument, the countries of Lake Chad Basin will further face obstacles with regard de-radicalisation, reintegration of former Boko Haram combatants, as well as reconciliation.

To ensure lasting peace in the areas liberated from Boko Haram is the Governments of Lake Chad Basin region need to rebuild critical infrastructure, restore state presence, and grant unimpeded access for humanitarian actors. The absence of Government’s hand in these areas would continue to compel people to leave their homes and to seek support and assistance in neighbouring countries or, much worse, to join the ranks of terrorists.

Another question that requires our attention is the need for the Lake Chad Basin countries to ensure full implementation of their commitments in the area of IDPs’ protection. We are concerned by news that some countries continue to undertake forced returns of IDPs. It is truism that the refugees could only return to their homes voluntary, being sure that it is safe to leave camps. If not so, we are risking to create frequent back-and-forth movements across the borders and other areas of the region.

At the same time, we are encouraged by the efforts of Lake Chad Basin governments in responding to the needs of the affected people, including those of Nigeria. It is paramount that the region and international community are able to provide urgently needed support for 10.7 million people across the Lake Chad Basin.

Last but not least. In the resolution 2349, the Council has recognised the adverse effects of climate change and ecological challenges among other factors of the stability of the Region and emphasised the need for adequate risk assessments and risk management strategies by the governments and the United Nations. This issue of climate change was also dealt with by the Council at the Arria-Formula meeting on Security implications of climate change: Sea-level Rise, organised by Ukraine.

In this regard, we look forward to the reflection of this problematics in the next SG reports on the situation in the Lake Chad Basin region.

Thank you.