Chad

The sixty- ninth session offers us a theme that invites us to deepen exchanges on the development model that we want for the world post-2015. The theme, “Delivering on and implementing a transformative post-2015 development agenda”, is perfectly in line with the theme of the sixty- eighth session, “The post-2015 development agenda: setting the stage”. At previous sessions, we have acknowledged that development through the achievement the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has not produced the expected results for many States. Among the main causes for this are the weakness of solidarity in financing the Goals; their poor adaptation to the concerns and realities of Africa; and the many global financial, food, environmental and security crises that arose. The unanimously welcomed drafting of a post-2015 agenda gave us the opportunity to review the MDGs in greater depth and to respond relevantly. Africa, for its part, has adopted a Common Position that requires the adherence of all States and their partners. This Common African Position is part of the Africa Vision 2063. That is why my country, Chad, fully supports it and hopes that this approach will figure prominently in the post-2015 agenda. Unfortunately, we note that on the eve of the important post-2015 meeting, the same security risks remain. Armed conflicts and the phenomenon of terrorism are becoming persistant threats in several areas of Africa. They are aggravated by the migratory phenomenon that deprives our continent, Africa, of its workforce. We must therefore join our efforts to bring adequate and energetic responses to these phenomena, which dangerously compromise the future of our continent. I take this occasion to hail the upsurge of solidarity that we are witnessing on the part of the international community in combating terrorism and underdevelopment. Africa remains in favour of various strategies for security and development in the Sahel initiated by the United Nations, the European Union and many other organizations. We hope that the implementation of these programmes will be effective so as to allow our continent to effectively combat these ongoing phenomena. Beyond international support, these security challenges require African countries to take their security into their own hands by implementing laws that will ensure security at the national, regional and continental levels. The countries of the Sahel — Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, the Niger and Chad — have mobilized through the Group of Five countries of the Sahel to combine their efforts in building a strong system of resilience, good governance, security and peace. It is well known that the security of one country or region is directly linked to its development, that of its neighbours, and thereby to that of the entire continent. The terrorism summit convened by the African Union Peace and Security Council, over which we presided on 2 September in Nairobi, was a part of these constant efforts. It sought to consider in depth the terrorist threat and to agree specific and concrete measures to consolidate the efficacy of collective actions against this scourge. The summit also gave us the opportunity to highlight our solidarity with Kenya in particular, and more generally with the East African region, which is facing the threat of the terrorist Al-Shabaab group. The decision to create such mechanisms as the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises or the African regional force for the Sahel-Sahara and Central Africa, was the fruit of this regional and continental resolve to respond appropriately to terrorism, which is progressively gaining ground in Africa. We call on the countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission to take the necessary measures to bring the joint multinational force into operation in order to combat the terrorist activities of Boko Haram. With respect to conflict resolution, Chad continues to contribute to peace and reconciliation in Africa. This goodwill is borne out by the organization on its territory, at Amdjarass in the north, of a forum of peace and reconciliation between the warring brothers of Darfur. Chad welcomes the holding of the Brazzaville forum on reconciliation and inclusive dialogue between Central African brothers, where it played an active part in seeking solutions to Central African crises. My country welcomes the inter-Malian dialogue towards a definitive return to peace and security in that country. It welcomes the reconciliation process under way in South Sudan to persuade the South Sudanese to take up the peace pipe. We are convinced that sincere dialogue and surpassing ourselves are virtues that can assist in resolving these issues. My country will continue to support this process of dialogue and reconciliation. Regarding the new Libya — a country that has barely begun to exist as a homogenous entity after the fall of the Al-Qadhafi’s regime and his assassination — the violence has intensified and the people live in constant fear. Libya’s neighbours are striving to assist that brotherly country to recover its stability. The entire international community is called upon to act on the severe security situation in that country. Libyan brothers of different political and social beliefs must understand that peace can come only from the Libyans themselves. They must therefore resolutely commit to a political settlement, the only proper path to ensure peace, unity and territorial integrity for Libya. Chad, a neighbouring country of Libya, the Central African Republic, the Sudan and Nigeria, is hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees and displaced persons who have fled armed conflicts or terrorist threats. Since 2003, we have welcomed more than 500,000 refugees from these neighbouring countries and more than 200,000 Chadians repatriated from Libya and the Central African Republic for security reasons, including displaced Chadians. A national plan for global response developed by the Government and its technical and financial partners has been adopted and is being implemented, but it requires the financial and material support of the international community. These various conflict situations are compounded by other, no less important challenges such as poverty, underdevelopment and illnesses. I note in particular the severe Ebola crisis affecting certain countries on the African continent, ravaging populations and gravely affecting the economies concerned. Chad will make its financial contributions to these countries. The international community must act, and act quickly, in a coordinated manner as the Ebola virus knows no borders. I commend the upsurge of solidarity on the part of the international community in containing the spread of this scourge. Beyond Africa, we call for a peaceful resolution to the conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, and between Israel and Palestine, to name but a few. On Palestine specifically, we feel that the disproportionate use of force and the human and material damage incurred in Gaza are unacceptable and challenge the human conscience. It is extremely urgent to find a solution to this conflict, which has lasted for far too long. We therefore call on all parties for restraint and dialogue in order to reach a just, global and lasting solution. Regarding the embargo to which Cuba has been subject for many years, we once again reiterate our call for it to be lifted, pure and simple. Peace, stability and development are intrinsically linked to respect for laws and universal shared values, of which justice is the basis. Nevertheless, we note with regret that these universal principles are not often respected, especially by the powerful of this world. This is the case for the International Criminal Court, which, instead of being neutral, impartial and independent, seems more to practise double standards and only pursues the weak. Some 90 per cent of indictees are Africans. The debate on the reform of the Security Council must be concluded, taking into account the interests and concerns of all States so that it reflects the actual makeup of the world. It is unjust that a billion inhabitants live in the only continent without a permanent representative in that organ. At the national level Chad has a national development plan for 2013-2015 and a national programme for food security which seek to ensure resilient and emerging development by 2025, supported by sustainable and diversified sources of growth that create added value and employment. The plan ensures that each Chadian has appropriate access to basic social services, decent housing and to adequate training opportunities. I again thank all our partners who announced their participation in financing these two programmes at the Paris conference in June. In order to promote a serene climate in national political life Chad has implemented mechanisms for political governance, the latest of which is the national framework for political dialogue created in April 2013. This mechanism is better adapted to current political events as it includes civil society along with political parties. These mechanisms have led to stability conducive to economic and social development in a country where challenges remain considerable. To improve governance, Chad has adhered to the monitoring mechanism of the African Union and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. That adherence clearly demonstrates our resolve to manage our national resources in complete transparency. Chad will continue to work to consolidate the rule of law and good governance through substantial reforms of its institutions, to combat unemployment by creating jobs for youth, and to combat poverty and food insecurity.