{{Explanation of Vote by Mr Olivier NDUHUNGIREHE, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. at the Security Council on the Vote of the Draft Resolution S/2014/916 on the State of Palestine}}
{{31 December 2014}}
{{Mr. President}},
Rwanda takes the floor to explain its vote on this draft resolution S/2014/916 on Middle East, including the Palestinian question. We note, with appreciation, the efforts of Jordan in drafting and tabling this text, on behalf of the Arab Group.
Rwanda’s position on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, as reiterated every month in our two-year membership in this Council, is well known. Our country, as well as all member states of the African Union, has always been in favor of a two-state solution. We regret however that, despite efforts from regional and international actors, including Arab states, the Quartet and the United States, there is yet to be a breakthrough in the peace process.
For Rwanda, any final settlement to the conflict should be achieved through direct and genuine negotiations, however painful they may be. We fully believe that only a negotiated settlement between the parties will result in the emergence of an independent, sovereign, and viable Palestinian State living side by side in peace and security with Israel. In this regard, the Security Council and other stakeholders should step up their efforts to ensure the resumption of direct negotiations for a just and lasting solution of the Israel–Palestinian conflict, building on previous agreed frameworks. Parties, on their part, should make serious commitments to address the underlying causes of this conflict and refrain from any provocative action that could undermine the prospect of a durable peace in the region.
In this context, Mr. President, Rwanda doesn’t believe that any unilateral action by either side could bring lasting peace in the region and a final and comprehensive settlement to this crisis. On the contrary, unilateral initiatives, well-intentioned at they may be, could jeopardize the current situation that is already very fragile. We believe that a Security Council resolution could help the parties in speeding up the conclusion of negotiations for the establishment of a Palestinian state, provided that this resolution is consensual, as it should be agreed on by the negotiating parties and supported by all major stakeholders. Therefore, Rwanda believes that the proposed draft, which has not garnered consensus in the region and within this Council, could not help parties achieving this goal.
Moreover, it is regrettable that the fifteen members of the Security Council were not given a single opportunity to discuss, negotiate and improve this draft, which was drafted, negotiated and amended outside the Council. All those reasons – lack of a consensual approach in the region, negative impact on the peace process and lack of an inclusive and transparent procedure in New York- explain the today’s abstention of Rwanda. Going forward, we would invite all Council members, in coordination with the negotiating parties, the Arab Group and other stakeholders to work together towards a more consensual draft resolution, which should give a new impetus to the peace process.
To conclude, Mr. President, we firmly believe that, given the current and irreversible momentum for peace, the status quo will no longer be an option. There is a unique window for the international community and the negotiating parties to act decisively, if we wish to realize our common vision of two viable states for two vibrant peoples, living side by side in peace, security and mutual recognition of each other’s legitimate rights. And the Government of Rwanda will remain fully committed to this process and contribute, as much as it can, to the peaceful and lasting solution to this crisis that has been going on for too long.
I thank you.
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