Canada’s Statement to the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on Strengthening Peacekeeping Operations in Africa, delivered by Ambassador Richard Arbeiter

New York, 20 November 2018

Mister/Madame President

First, let me thank China for organizing this Open Debate on strengthening peacekeeping operations in Africa.

On behalf of Canada, I also wish to express my deepest condolences to the families of the Malawian and Tanzanian peacekeepers and Congolese soldiers recently killed in a MONUSCO operation against the ADF in the Beni region of the DRC.

This Council has often been called upon to address complex and enduring conflicts in Africa, such as those in Somalia, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali and South Sudan. Conflicts have caused, and continue to cause, tremendous casualties, displacement, and economic hardship.

But there is another story here – one too often overlooked: African states taking a leading role in international efforts to manage and resolve conflicts and crises. It is the story of UN successes in places like Cote d’Ivoire and Liberia. It is a story of the determination and resolve of the African Union, its member states, and African sub-regional organizations. It is a story told in lessons learned, in strategic patience, in collaboration. It is a story about partnership, and it demonstrates what we can achieve together.

Strengthening peace operations in Africa is not just a question of resources, will, or capabilities, but rather a question of how we combine our efforts to innovate and maximise our impact.

Enabling collective action by African states, through the United Nations, the African Union, or other regional African organizations, is a practical step.

This is why Canada supports the full implementation of the UN-AU Framework for Cooperation on Peace and Security.  Looking beyond the annual joint session of the AU PSC and the UNSC, we are convinced that further opportunities exist to strengthen cooperation and collaboration between the Councils, including through joint field visits. Together, we can accomplish more.

This is why we encourage efforts to find more predictable, flexible and sustainable financing mechanisms for African-led peace operations. In this regard, we welcome the leadership shown by AU member states to mobilize increased African funding for the AU Peace Fund. We also look forward to the upcoming discussion and debate of the Security Council on this topic, and hope to see concrete progress on developing such mechanisms.

Achieving results requires all Member States to pull their weight. That is why Canada has committed new resources to UN peacekeeping, including the provision of a helicopter task force to MINUSMA. The task force has been used during essential medical evacuations of injured peacekeepers and civilians doing critical work in very dangerous and isolated environments. We have also deployed police to MINUSMA, leveraging the long experience of Canadian Police in UN peace operations. These contributions build on our long-standing, ongoing engagements in Africa, including in MONUSCO and UNMISS.

And we are working with the UN to provide additional critical enablers, including the deployment of a tactical airlift detachment to the UN Regional Service Center in Uganda, in 2019, to provide critical logistics support to missions across Africa.

Recognizing the vast experience of African troop and police contributing countries, we are building new partnerships, sharing our experiences and capabilities, and learning from those of others. For example:

• We are partnering with Ghana and Zambia, under the Elsie Initiative. Together we're going to test innovative approaches for reducing barriers to the meaningful participation of uniformed women in UN peace operations.
• We have partnered with Senegal and with Ghana to deliver the UN Senior Mission Leaders course. In this regard, we wish to congratulate Superintendent Phyllis Osei of Ghana who yesterday was awarded the UN’s Female Police Officer of the Year for her work in Somalia.
• We have partnered with the Ecole de maintien de la paix Alloune Blondin Beye de Bamako to deliver essential training to peacekeepers.
• We have partnered with UNICEF and the Romeo Dallaire Child Soldier Initiative to strengthen mission capacities to end the use of child soldiers in the DRC, Somalia, Sudan, including working in collaboration with AMISOM and with the African Union.
• We have partnered with Mali to support the implementation of the Algiers Accord and associated stabilization efforts.
• Ahead of the next UN peacekeeping ministerial, we are partnering with Ethiopia to organize a preparatory meeting on women, peace, and security and peacekeeping on 28-29 January. Alongside our co-host, we welcome the participation of all Member States in this important exercise.

We believe these kinds partnerships allows each of us to bring our strengths and experiences forward to build a safer and more peaceful world.

Partnership – working together -- in concert with multilateral institutions, and in defence of our rules based international order, is at the heart of Canada’s approach to international peace and security. This is the approach we take to peacekeeping in Africa and one we hope to bring to the Security Council should be elected to a non-permanent seat for 2021-2022. Together, we can develop a more secure, inclusive, and prosperous world.