Bahrain yesterday chaired a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting on the situation in the Great Lakes region.
Members received briefings on recent developments from Huang Xia, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, and Sima Sami Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women and Under-Secretary-General.
Delivering Bahrain’s statement on behalf of the Permanent Representative to UN, Suma Al Alaiwat said the meeting comes at a critical juncture, with diplomatic efforts making promising progress while the situation on the ground remains affected by continued tensions.
She welcomed advances achieved through the Doha process, the Washington agreements, and the efforts of the African Union and regional partners.
She stressed that implementation is the true measure of credibility, underscoring the need for full compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 2773 (2025), including the immediate withdrawal of the M23 movement from areas under its control in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
She emphasised that the protection of civilians is an urgent priority that cannot be delayed, calling for unhindered humanitarian access and full respect for international humanitarian law.
Ms Al Alaiwat underscored the importance of addressing root causes, including combating the illegal exploitation of natural resources and supporting disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration programmes.
She reaffirmed Bahrain’s strong commitment to the Women, Peace and Security agenda, welcoming the briefing delivered by Bahous and describing it as one that ‘places women’s voices at the heart of discussions, not at their margins’.
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