CONSULTATIONS ON UNITED NATIONS DISENGAGEMENT OBSERVER FORCE (UNDOF)

CONSULTATIONS ON UNITED NATIONS DISENGAGEMENT OBSERVER FORCE (UNDOF)

I thank you for giving me the floor, Mr. President,
I wish to express appreciation to ASG Mr. Khaled khiary, for his briefing this evening. My delegation welcomes the Secretary-General’s report which has given a detailed account of the activities of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) from 21st February to 20th May, 2022, pursuant to the mandate given to the Force by this Council in its relevant resolutions. We take consolation in the fact that the ceasefire between Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic was generally maintained, even though there were many instances of violations of the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement between the forces of the two countries as highlighted in today’s briefing. The reported cases of violations of the Agreement remains a matter of grave concern to us, and we therefore urge the parties to fully comply with the terms of the Agreement and the relevant resolutions of this Council.

Ghana notes with concern, the volatile nature of the security situation in UNDOF’s area of operation, which unfortunately, is occasioned by continued military activities in the area of separations and limitation, sometimes endangering the lives of the personnel of UNDOF against relevant resolutions of this Council. We join UNDOF in calling on the parties to exercise restraint and refrain from activities that might escalate the situation between them and to take steps to create the needed environment for unhindered operation of the Force in a safe and secure manner in accordance with its mandate.

As a troop-contributing country, Ghana is particularly worried about the significant threats to the safety and security of military and civilian personnel in UNDOF and Observer Group Golan, from explosive remnants of war, including unexploded ordnance and mines among others. We therefore wish to call for continued prioritization of the safety and security of personnel of the Force to keep all personnel involved in the mission out of harm’s way. In addition to measures being adopted by UNDOF to protect its personnel, it is our considered view that this Council must consider instituting practical steps aimed at periodically clearing UNDOF’s area of operation of unexploded ordnance and mines as a way of further assuring the safety and security of the personnel.

Considering the critical role played by UNDOF in maintaining security and stability in the designated areas, Ghana wishes to express its support for the extension of the mandate of the force for another six months, until 31st December, 2022.

I thank you for your attention.