STATEMENT BY
MS. EBUNOLUWA F. TENGBE
COUNSELLOR
Thank you, Madam President, Your Excellency Tanja Fajon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia.
1. I thank Ms. Kayoko Gotoh, Officer-in-Charge, Europe, Central Asia and Americas, Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, Ms. Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator for their informative briefings. I also thank Ambassador Tomaž Lovrenčič, Director of ITF Enhancing Human Security for the contribution.
2. 1,384 days into this conflict, the civilian population continues to bear the brunt of ground and aerial attacksin Ukraine. We therefore urge the parties to prioritize dialogue and engage in good-faith diplomatic negotiations in pursuit of a ceasefire leading to a lasting peace agreement and just peace. As the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine deepens with the advent of a fourth severe winter, Sierra Leone reinforces the imperative for the immediate cessation of hostilities.
3. In view of the foregoing, we will make three points. First, it is imperative that direct talks between the parties be held at the highest political levels to address the possibility of an immediate, unconditional ceasefire as the starting point for a just and lasting peace. For the better part of 2025, the United States has led diplomatic efforts between the two parties for a ceasefire agreement. We welcome these efforts and note the progress made towards the release and exchange of prisoners of war and civilian detainees, and the return of Ukrainian children.
4. These steps, as well as the fact that both parties continue to stay engaged in diplomatic processes at various levels, are all positive indications that there are opportunities, at this moment in time, for good-faith negotiations on a ceasefire. These critical ongoing talks ultimately require participation from the highest political offices of both the Russian Federation and Ukraine.
5. In this regard, we reiterate our support for a diplomatic solution in full respect of the Charter of the United Nations, especially the principles of sovereignty, independence and the territorial integrity of States, in this context Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.
6. Second, Sierra Leone continues to emphatically reiterate that deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are prohibited and amount to war crimes under international humanitarian law (IHL). Unfortunately, this conflict has been characterized by continuous deliberate air strikes on heavily populated areas of Ukraine, with devastating consequences.
7. Attacks on critical energy, water, health and other civilian infrastructure continue to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Since 2022, Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been severely damaged, reducing generation and transmission capacity. It is reported that Ukraine has lost over fifty percent of its gas production capacity. This dramatic loss of energy capacity has resulted in power and heating cuts for millions of people across the country. With the onset of winter, vulnerable groups, especially older people and persons with disabilities, have been particularly affected by these disruptions in energy services.
8. It is important that there is urgent and increased support for the Ukraine Humanitarian Response Plan, including the winterization aid plans. Sierra Leone reiterates its call for the parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and international human rights law (IHRL).
9. Third, accountability and justice mechanisms for addressing human rights violations and war crimes committed during this conflict should be prioritized in pursuit of lasting peace. Verified reports from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, as well as other international and regional bodies, indicate breaches of international law and human rights violations, including the deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian objects in military strikes, as well as extra-judicial killings, torture, sexual offences, and the abduction of tens of thousands of Ukrainian children. The reports have also verified incidents of abuse of both Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian detainees, as well as Russian prisoners of war.
10. Sierra Leone has consistently joined other members of the Security Council to call for full, fair and impartial investigations into allegations of breaches of international law and gross human rights violations during conflict. We also urge all States to cooperate fully with theInternational Criminal Court.
11. To conclude, Madam President, we are at a critical juncture in this conflict. The alarming civilian casualty figures and the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine underscore the urgent need for all parties to the conflict to prioritize the protection of civilians and refrain from further escalation. We urge the parties to engage constructively, including on their legitimate concerns, to find a political and diplomatic solution, as envisaged in Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations.
I thank you.