STATEMENT BY
MR. ALAN GEORGE
MINISTER COUNSELLOR
Madam President.
I thank you for convening this debate and congratulate the United Kingdom on assuming the Presidency this month of November. I assure you of Sierra Leone’s full support. I also congratulate the delegation of Switzerland for its successful presidency during the month of October.
I welcome the participation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Croatia in this meeting.
Sierra Leone uses this opportunity to express our sympathy for the loss of lives and property as a result of flooding and landslides in five central municipalities of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) in early October 2024. As the impact of climate change heightens, it is imperative that we curtail human activities that threaten our collective wellbeing and a stable and sustainable future.
We welcome the vote on resolution [2757) which renews the authorization for the European Union Military Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The mission’s presence is critical to sustaining stabilization efforts in the BiH and we are optimistic that today’s vote is indicative of the Council’s determination to ensure the continued security and safety of the Region.
Our delegation notes the detailed report for the period 16 April 2024 through 15 October 2024 submitted by Mr. Christian Schmidt, High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) through the Secretary-General. We commend the High Representative for the progress achieved during this period. We recognize the importance of his efforts, particularly with regards to the successful conduct of elections and the vital impact of the reform elements introduced, ensuring compliance with transparency and integrity standards, regulating the participation of persons convicted of international criminal law crimes, use of technology, as well as curbing divisive and hateful campaign rhetoric.
The significance of building trust in the electoral system, and by extension, the office of the High Representative, cannot be overemphasized. Moreover, the successful local elections demonstrated that with coordination and cooperation amongst BiH’s stakeholders, much can be achieved. We therefore reaffirm our support for BiH’s territorial integrity and its internationally recognized borders and strongly condemn all actions which seek to undermine not only the current governance structure, but also progress made in the implementation of the existing Peace Agreement and adherence with conditions for EU integration.
Sierra Leone is however, mindful that the efforts of Office of High Representative and some arms of Government are being impaired by certain actors, leading to a stagnation in the EU accession process, as well as a lag in the implementation of the 5+2 Agenda with a cascading effect over other avenues for BiH’s advancement, including agreement on the Draft Reform Agenda. It is unfortunate that BiH missed the opportunity for benefiting from the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, which would have stimulated the country’s decelerating economic growth.
Madam President,
In light of the foregoing, Sierra Leone wishes to re-echo our calls in this chamber for collaborative leadership, strong institutions of government that uphold the rule of law and protect human rights and national development within the scope of regional integration.
Whilst we commend the efforts of the European Union Commission and the wider international community, Sierra Leone is convinced that collaboration amongst the leadership of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska is the cornerstone for its stability and development. Reports of parallel structures and discriminatory policies being promulgated accompanied by secessionist rhetoric particularly in Republika Srpska are deeply concerning. We strongly urge the Republika Srpska authorities to cease from actions which undermine the integrity of the unified State of BiH and compounds any existing political and ethnic divides.
We urge that all efforts be directed towards state building in good faith and participation in decision making, effective public administration and good governance in a manner that strengthens the unity of BiH as a whole.
On our second point, our delegation holds the view that as the country’s highest legal authority, the constitution must reflect its highest aspirations. Acknowledging BiH’s multiethnic and multicultural characteristics, we call for rule of law to be upheld and for the protection of the full and equal rights of all its people.
Superficial attempts at reform and the selective application of judicial decisions erodes the legitimacy and effectiveness of institutions of government, which are the foundations for peace, justice, and sustainable development. The same holds true for the Constitutional Court, for which we call for full representation in the appointment of judges, including international judges, whose wealth of knowledge and experience can richly contribute towards advancing BiH’s jurisprudence.
Finally, we welcome the efforts of the Presidency, Council of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH and urge that the actions of its respective entities align with national development aspirations including as provided for in the Dayton Peace Agreement. It is critical that state-level institutions receive the necessary funding and support for their operations particulary as they relate to public infrastruture, utility and service delivery.
Sierra Leone is hopeful that the upcoming review of the country’s accession status into the European Union with the view of advancing the negotiations, presents an opportunity for the authorities of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska to renew their commitment towards taking the necessary steps for integration into the EU and refrain from inflexible positions during negtiations.
In conclusion Sierra Leone commends the efforts of the Peace Building Fund in advancing the women, youth and peace and security agenda and welcomes the operationalization of Peacebuilding Steering Committee to sustain peacebuilding initiatives in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We commend the dedication of the European Union and the international community towards the stabilization of Bosnia and Herzegovina and contiue to urge constructive cooperation in the best interest of all its people.
I thank you.
