I thank the briefers of their comprehensive review. Let me also use this opportunity to congratulate Special Representative Bintou Keita on her appointment.
At the outset, we welcome the developments in the political situation and the formation of a majority coalition. We believe these developments bring positive prospects of stability to the Congolese people and international actors. We likewise praise commitments by President Tshisekedi to encourage the greater representation of women in national parliament and participation in public life.
At the same time, these positive developments are overshadowed by the ongoing human rights violations and abuses by armed groups in eastern provinces, in particular by the ADF, some of which may amount to crimes against humanity. It is critical that Congolese security and defense forces enhance the preparedness of FARDC and ability to conduct operations effectively, and ensure a timely and coordinated investigation and prosecution of perpetrators of the serious violations and international crimes. It is important to ensure Congolese ownership throughout the process. We note that in some provinces the attacks against civilians have slightly declined. However, intercommunal tensions and clashes between community-based armed groups, accompanied with incidents of conflict-related sexual violence continued to escalate. We believe that raising confidence in the Congolese security and defense forces would serve as an additional tool to strengthen FARDC capabilities and reducing tensions.
In the context of human rights, it is a worrying trend that human rights violations and abuses, including conflict-related sexual violence, continue to be perpetrated by both State agents and armed groups. We believe that further cooperation between MONUSCO and Congolese authorities, the UN Joint Human Rights Office and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) would benefit Congolese authorities in efforts combating impunity and bringing justice to civilians who suffer atrocities.
Madam President, we are still struck by the recent tragic incident and the loss of Italian ambassador and the World Food Programme convoy staff. The incident and complex humanitarian situation, however, underlines the reality of Congolese people. Moreover, the Covid-19 pandemic, resurgence of Ebola, migration of peoples, food insecurity and protection issues have aggravated the existing challenges, leaving 19.6 million Congolese in need of protection and humanitarian assistance, and amounting to 5.2 million of internally displaced persons. We appraise the commitments of the new political coalition to overcome the humanitarian challenges in cooperation with international partners.
The root causes of the conflict must be addressed and concrete steps taken. It includes combating hate speech, addressing illegal exploitation of natural resources and trafficking in small arms. Alternative economic opportunities to ex-combatants and their communities should be provided through the swift implementation of decentralized programmes for Disarmament, Demobilisation, Community Reintegration and Stabilisation.
Lastly, I would like to commend the work of MONUSCO for their effective performance on strengthening their response to threats against civilians, despite of the impact of Covid-19. On MONUSCO transition, we believe that further consensus building between MONUSCO and local protection actors would contribute to the implementation of community based Security Sector Reform. We likewise see benefits of the Joint Justice Reform Support Programme addressing the strengthening of justice and prison sector reforms.
I join the Special Representative on the importance to introduce a joint working group to support the implementation of the Joint Strategy on progressive transfer of tasks and sustainable drawdown of MONUSCO.
Thank you!