STATEMENT BY
MR. ALAN GEORGE
MINISTER COUNSELLOR & POLITICAL COORDINATOR
Thank you, Mr. President.
I express my gratitude to Under-Secretary-General Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo for her comprehensive briefing.
Sierra Leone welcomes the participation of the Representative of Ukraine in this important meeting.
At this critical juncture in the devastating conflict, Sierra Leone reiterates its urgent call for good faith diplomatic efforts by both the Russia Federation and Ukraine to resolve the conflict. This must include the immediate cessation of hostilities, the implementation of a ceasefire, the full withdrawal of all forces, and unwavering support for the rights, dignity, and future wellbeing of civilians.
The human costs of this conflict are tragic. Since February 2022, approximately 41,783 men, women, and children have been killed or injured. Widespread destruction has decimated essential civilian infrastructure, including homes, schools, hospitals, markets, and water and energy facilities.
An estimated 12.7 million people in Ukraine are in desperate need of food, clean water, shelter, and heat during the winter, with most of them having lost their loved ones, homes, and livelihoods. The risks to lives remain alarmingly high, compounded by reports of unexploded ordnance covering approximately 30% of Ukrainian territory.
In response to this dire situation, we earlier voted in favor of Resolution 2774/ draft resolution proposed by the United States. Although we had concerns about the process and the potential for the instrumentalization of the UN and this Council, our vote reflects our belief that Ukraine must be at the forefront of any peace process or agreement, in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter, and that the legitimate concerns of all parties must be addressed.
Through our vote, and since the onset of the conflict, we have spoken with clarity to affirm the UN Charter principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the non-use of force, as well as the peaceful settlement of dispute. These are not mere aspirations, but they are the legal and moral foundations upon which our collective security rests. Any erosion of these principles threatens not only Ukraine in this context, but also every member State, particularly smaller nations whose security depends on adherence to international law.
As an elected member of this Council, Sierra Leone reaffirms its commitment to upholding the principles of the UN Charter and supporting all efforts toward a just, sustainable, and comprehensive peace.
Mr. President,
This conflict must not be allowed to persist into a fourth year. The path forward must be one of peace, through diplomacy. The scale of suffering caused by this conflict compels this Council to explore every possible avenue to not only direct our efforts towards the path of peace / implement Resolution 2774 but also to ensure that millions of civilians can safely return to their homes and rebuild their lives and communities.
Noting the urgent need for an immediate cessation of hostilities and lasting peace, Sierra Leone underscores the following three points: First, efforts to achieve peace must involve the good faith participation of all relevant stakeholders, including both Russia and Ukraine. Only with such engagement can we reach a viable and legitimate political solution. We acknowledge the ongoing efforts of Member States in this regard and emphasize the importance of aligning political and diplomatic actions towards this end.
Due consideration must be given to the active roles of external actors in supporting the peace process and its outcomes, including the provisions of any peace agreement. Given the critical role of regional efforts in addressing conflicts of this nature, Sierra Leone believes that any initiative to end the conflict in Ukraine must include the involvement of key European actors, whose positions are integral to securing the long-term stability of the region.
We also encourage constructive engagement with international partners who have contributed positively to actions such as prisoner-of-war exchanges and efforts toward de-escalation. Moreover, we stress the importance of ensuring that women and youth are given a meaningful role in the peace process, particularly in decision-making concerning reconstruction and recovery efforts in both Russia and Ukraine.
Mr. President,
I now turn to my second, and a most crucial point: the integral role of the Security Council in establishing legitimate guarantees for lasting peace. Given the history of challenges surrounding territorial and sovereignty issues, as well as security concerns in this conflict, the Security Council must play a pivotal role in safeguarding any peace agreement. This requires clear actions and objectives to be implemented in phases, particularly concerning national military capacities and armaments, regional security agreements, bilateral defence cooperation, and the recognition of fixed borders.
The Security Council must legitimize and support practical actions and compromises that are consistent with the principles of the UN Charter and guided by the decisions of the General Assembly and previous resolutions of the Council, including General Assembly Resolution 2625 and Security Council Resolutions 2417 and 2573, which emphasize the protection of civilian lives and infrastructure. In promoting lasting peace, the Security Council should also utilize its mechanisms to monitor and enforce ceasefires and other outcomes.
Third, the peace process must address the humanitarian crisis caused by this conflict, prioritizing the swift resolution of its most urgent aspects. An immediate cessation of hostilities is necessary to ensure the full protection of civilians, allowing them to live safely in their homes, attend school, and access markets and hospitals without fear of being killed or injured by bomb attacks.
The conflicting parties must cease their attacks on critical civilian infrastructure, especially energy facilities, which pose significant risks to regional and global security. Humanitarian aid must be allowed unhindered access across Ukraine and Russia, including to those in isolated or hard-to-reach areas. Furthermore, all children forcibly removed or abducted from their homes in Ukraine must be returned to their families and communities.
We also emphasize the importance of adherence to international law, particularly international humanitarian law, in the treatment of prisoners of war (POWs) and civilian detainees. Sierra Leone commends the successful exchanges of POWs in the past and urges the release of all POWs and civilian detainees. We fully support calls for prompt, impartial, and effective investigations into all alleged violations of international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law, especially those that result in excessive harm to civilians.
In conclusion, Mr. President, we call on the parties to this conflict to do all they can to reach a peaceful resolution. They must seek practical compromises that balance their immediate and long-term national interests and priorities, in line with article 33 of the United Nations Charter.
I thank you.
