Today Mr Amendola attended the UN Security Council public briefing on the Central African Republic and the MINUSCA mission, which was authorised by the United Nations in 2014 for the purpose of implementing peace building efforts in the Country, protecting civilians, supporting the transition process, promoting and protecting human rights, and supporting the system of justice, the rule of law and disarmament efforts.
In his address, Undersecretary Amendola recalled the great work carried out by MINUSCA and expressed Italy’s condolences for the death of six peacekeepers. Mr Amendola also said that Italy is seriously concerned over the deterioration of the Country’s conditions of security. The Italian Undersecretary thanked those who, in these past few weeks, are making an effort to help the population, such as the Comunità di Sant’Egidio which, at the meeting, was represented by its president, Prof Marco Impagliazzo, who delivered a report on ongoing contacts with armed groups in the Central African Republic. In appreciating the efforts made by the Government of the Central African Republic towards assuring enduring peace in the Country, Mr Amendola closed his remarks by calling on the Authorities of the Central African Republic and on all the armed groups to intensify their efforts to establish peace, especially through inclusive dialogue without exclusions.
Still at the UN Security Council, Undersecretary Amendola attended the session to adopt the resolution that – pursuant to Resolution 2292 – renews the measures to reinforce the embargo on the dealing of weapons off the coast of Libya. At the meeting, Mr Amendola recalled that Italy is committed to combat the proliferation of weapons in the area around Libya and recalled the crucial role played by the European Union’s EUNAVOFORMED “Sophia” mission and also by Italy in fighting human trafficking and smuggling, as well as illegal arms dealings. Mr Amendola also recalled Italy’s support to Libya’s stabilisation process through the support given to the Presidential Council and the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA) and also to initiatives promoting the Country’s reconciliation.
Later in the afternoon, Mr Amendola will meet with Fabrizio Hochschild, Assistant Secretary General for Strategic Coordination in the Executive Office of the United Nations. Designated by the new UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Hochschild has the task of assuring consistency between the different policies relative to peacekeeping, development, humanitarian issues, human rights and the rule of law. At the meeting Mr Amendola will reaffirm Italy’s full support to the Secretary-General’s agenda to reform the UN and its intention to make a constructive contribution towards achieving this objective in the most effective way possible.
