By By Godfrey Olukya 31-7-2013
The United Nations Security Council held a High-Level (Ministerial) Debate on 25th July, 2013 in New York under the theme, “The situation in the Great Lakes Region”,where it condemned rebels attacks in Democratic republic of Congo.
The debate was presided over by United States Secretary of State John Kerry, and Uganda was represented by Hon. Sam K. Kutesa, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Hon. Crispus Kiyonga, Minister of Defence accompanied by Uganda’s Permanent Representative to New York Amb. Richard Nduhuura.
In the Presidential Statement issued after the debate, the Security Council “condemned the renewed attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF-NALU) on 11th July 2013 against the FARDC in Kamango and on 14 July 2013 against MONUSCO forces along the Muba-Kamango axis, which resulted in 66,000 Congolese refugees and caused casualties among both the FARDC and MONUSCO” forces.
During his intervention in the debate, Kutesa deplored and condemned the ADF attacks which have increased both in intensity and frequency, and called on the Security Council to do likewise.
He also regretted the renewed fighting between the DRC Government and the M23, while apprising the Council of the progress in the Kampala Talks. He urged Council to call on the parties to urgently resume and conclude the Kampala Talks, as a political solution would be the best way to resolve their differences. He expressed the view that the success of the Talks will make a positive contribution to the National Consultations due to start in DRC.
After the Security Council Debate, Kutesa held a meeting with the United Nations Secretary-General and discussed issues related to DRC, Somalia and the Post 2015-Development agenda and sustainable Development Goals.
Kutesa and the secretary-General agreed to enhance their engagement on these matter, in particular the Post-2015 Development agenda, which is coming at a time when the Millennium Development Goals are due to end in 2015.