Vatican: World must do more to stop arms trade in
Africa
(Vatican Radio) The Holy See
on Monday told the United Nations Security Council the “three values of unity,
dignity and work” could greatly facilitate solutions to the complex of causes
of armed conflicts and underdevelopment in Africa’s Great Lakes Region.
“No solutions to the Region’s
many problems would be possible if there are divisions instead of unity, grave
violations of human rights instead of respect for the dignity of all, and
extreme poverty instead of dignified work for all,” said Archbishop Bernardito
Auza, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations.
“Unity is a cardinal value
for the harmony of peoples in all their diversity,” – continued Archbishop Auza
– “It drives away the fear of the other tribes and communities. It recognizes
the plurality of political views and religious beliefs. It eschews the
corruption and greed that endanger justice and solidarity.”
The Vatican diplomat also
said the international community “must assume a larger role in programs aimed
at controlling the legal and illegal arms trade,” and also said “stable and
legitimate governments require electoral processes that are free, credible,
inclusive and transparent to discourage recourse to arms.”
The full text of
Archbishop Auza’s intervention is below
Intervention of Archbishop
Bernardito Auza, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations
United Nations Security
Council Open Debate on The Prevention and Resolution of Conflicts in the Great
Lakes Region
New York, 21 March 2016
Mr. President, The Holy See
commends the Presidency of Angola for bringing the subject of the Prevention
and Resolution of Conflicts in the African Great Lakes Region to the attention
of the international community. Pope Francis, during his visit in the Great
Lakes Region last November, found inspiration in the motto of the Central
African Republic that exults the values of Unity, Dignity and Work. The Pope
sees in this triad an expression of the aspirations of each Central African
and, indeed, of each of the inhabitants of the Great Lakes Region. The Region
continues to suffer from decades of multiple local and regional conflicts
fueled by, among other things, political instability and poor governance,
corruption and extreme poverty, ethnic divisions and exploitative use of the
abundant natural resources. My delegation believes that these three values of
unity, dignity and work are pillars of any prosperous society and thus could
greatly facilitate solutions to the complex of causes of armed conflicts and
underdevelopment in the Region. No solutions to the Region’s many problems
would be possible if there are divisions instead of unity, grave violations of
human rights instead of respect for the dignity of all, and extreme poverty
instead of dignified work for all. Unity is a cardinal value for the harmony of
peoples in all their diversity. It drives away the fear of the other tribes and
communities. It recognizes the plurality of political views and religious
beliefs. It eschews the corruption and greed that endanger justice and
solidarity. Translating this fundamental value of unity in diversity into
reality is a constant challenge, one that demands creativity, generosity,
self-sacrifice and respect for others. Then, dignity: Mutual respect and
solidarity are possible only if everyone recognizes the inherent and equal
dignity of all. Those who have the means to enjoy a decent life, rather than
being concerned with privileges, then seek to help the neediest to attain
dignified living conditions. Finally, labor: Decent work for all would greatly
improve the lives of those in the Region. Addressing the Central Africans in
Bangui, Pope Francis exhorted all the countries in the Region to improve
themselves by wisely exploiting their many resources that make the Region “one
of the two lungs of mankind on account of its exceptionally rich biodiversity.”
The international community
must support the countries of the Region to prevent the abundant natural
resources from becoming a curse instead of a blessing, from being exploited in
favor of a privileged few instead of remaining the common good of all. It is no
doubt superfluous to underline the capital importance of honest administration
on the part of public authorities. Mr. President, Stable and legitimate
governments require electoral processes that are free, credible, inclusive and
transparent to discourage recourse to arms. Governments and all stakeholders in
the Region must be helped to negotiate and deal with the various issues at
stake in the most impartial way possible, having in mind only the common good
of all the citizens. The Region is destabilized by the vast proliferation of
arms and armed groups fighting in the territory. These groups must be persuaded
to disarm and to commit themselves to cooperate in the development of their
respective countries. The international community must assume a larger role in
programs aimed at controlling the legal and illegal arms trade. The Holy See
expresses its appreciation for the countries that have already committed
themselves to this path. A greater investment in preventive diplomacy must
accompany all efforts. The priority of the diplomatic activity of the Holy See
is preventive action geared toward safeguarding the inviolable dignity of every
human person, protecting fundamental human rights, promoting education and
health care for all, and fostering the identity of each people. The grave
problem of the recruitment of youth and children by armed groups and terrorist
organizations must be decisively contrasted through investments in both
education and job opportunities that could offer the young hope for a better
future. Mr. President, Pope Francis expresses deep appreciation for all that
the international community has been doing, and calls upon all to continue
along the path of unity, dignity and work to help the countries in the Region
achieve disarmament, prosperity and sound administration at all levels. Thank
you, Mr. President.
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