STATEMENT BY
H.E. MR. AMARA S. SOWA
AMBASSADOR AND DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE / CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRES a.i.
Thank you, Mr. President, Excellency Mr. David Lammy MP, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs.
I thank, Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, for her briefing.
I welcome the participation of the Ministers in this meeting, including, His Excellency Mr. Andrii Sybiha, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in this meeting.
Sierra Leone remains deeply concerned about the escalating security and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Ukraine, which has persisted for 1, 000 days. In recent months the conflict has escalated drastically, and the battlefield has expanded with intensified offensive operations by both Ukraine and the Russian Federation.
With almost 2 years and 9 months of brutal conflict, Sierra Leone regrettably takes note of recent escalatory conducts of intensive large scale drone attacks on Ukraine, and news reports that restrictions on the use of long-range missiles to strike targets inside Russian territory have been lifted. This follows recent intelligence and open-source reports that troops of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) are now engaged in combat in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation.
The reports, if confirmed, mark a dangerous escalation of the conflict and have the potential to dramatically increase its scope, with severe attendant risks and broader destabilizing impact on regional and international peace and security. The inability of the Security Council to act, further puts at risk its credibility and dependability to maintain and also address threats to international peace and security.
Colleagues, giving the regrettable devastating impact of the conflict, let us remind ourselves of the worrying trend of civilian casualties for just the past four months. From the Human Rights Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (HRMMU) report of 9 August 2024, Sierra Leone notes an alarming increase in civilian casualties since March this year, with July being the deadliest month with at least 219 civilians killed and 1,018 injured. The number of civilian casualties, particularly in Ukraine for August were similarly alarming, with at least 184 civilians killed and 856 injured. According to OCHA and OHCHR reports, intensified hostilities and attacks in September 2024 led to another alarming civilian casualty numbers, with at least 208 killed and 1,220 injured.
We take note of reports from Ukraine of multiple attacks in October, targeting civilians and vital infrastructure, such as residential areas, markets, railways, and grain storage facilities using guided aerial bombs, strike drones and missiles. Additionally, the attacks have reportedly continued to target and damage numerous civilian facilities across Ukraine, including electricity and gas facilities, despite the looming winter.
We note that to address the winter-specific needs, the humanitarian community launched the 2024-2025 Winter Response Plan, appealing for US$492.1 million to support 1.8 million people with critical winter-related humanitarian assistance as outlined in the 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan. This Plan intends to support timely preparedness and response. Sierra Leone calls on the international community to support this plan.
We have reiterated in this Council that the deliberate targeting of residential or civilian areas, civilian infrastructure and essential services such as hospitals, schools, water and energy facilities are unacceptable and prohibited under international law. It poses a significant threat to the safety and well-being of the most vulnerable and protected populations, violating the basic tenets of humanity, and the principles of international humanitarian law. Sierra Leone deplores attack on civilians, vital civilian infrastructure and protected objects. We call on all involved parties to take all necessary measures to avoid further civilian casualties and damage to critical infrastructure.
Mr. President,
In addition to the mounting humanitarian challenges, OCHA has further indicated that “Humanitarian response efforts face growing challenges, including safety risks. “Six (6) aid workers were killed or injured in July and August alone.” It noted that in the first nine (9) months of the 2024, the humanitarian community had provided at least one form of assistance to 7.2 million out of 8.5 million people targeted for support. This is despite the 2024 Humanitarian Appeal for Ukraine receiving less than half the requested $3.11 billion. Additional resources are critically needed to ensure much-needed assistance.
The drastic escalation, alarming civilian casualty figures and the devastating humanitarian consequences of the conflict on civilians, including the elderly, women and children in Ukraine underscores the urgent need for the violence to end. All parties to the conflict must prioritize the protection of civilians and refrain from further escalation and pursuit of the option of winning the war on the battlefield at all costs. Dialogue and diplomacy should be the primary tools employed to pave the way for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Mr. President,
As Sierra Leone is deeply concerned about the seeming strategic approach to annex territories, we take this opportunity to reiterate the UN Secretary-General’s instructive statement (of 29 September 2022) in which he recalled that any annexation of a State’s territory by another State resulting from the threat or use of force is a violation of the principles of the UN Charter and international law.
We also recall Security Council’s resolution 2202 (2015), “reaffirming its full respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine”. In a similar manner we reaffirm the full respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Russian Federation.
Let me close by urging all parties to prioritize the protection of civilians and critical infrastructure, including hospitals, schools and energy infrastructure to ensure essential services for the well-being and stability of civilians. Peace is made not between friends but between parties in a state of disagreement. Therefore, peace should be actively pursued and not be left to chance.
Sierra Leone reiterates its call for meaningful steps to be taken towards the immediate cessation of the hostilities, and for constructive and inclusive diplomatic efforts to achieve a just and lasting resolution of the conflict. In taking this important step, we further reiterate our call for the full respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, and for the legitimate concerns of all parties to be taken into account, in order to find a political and diplomatic solution as envisaged in article 33 of the UN Charter. The international community, including this Council, must remain steadfast in its commitment to supporting the pursuit of a just and sustainable peace.
I thank you.
