S/PV.7334 Security Council

In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following briefers to participate in this meeting: Mr. Abdoulaye Bathily, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa, and Mr. Jackson K. Tuwei, Special Envoy of the African Union for the Issue of the Lord’s Resistance Army. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2014/812, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the activities of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa and on the Lord’s Resistance Army-affected areas. I now give the floor to Mr. Bathily.

I have the honour to introduce today the report of the Secretary-General on the activities of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) and on the Lord’s Resistance Army-affected areas (S/2014/812). This report presents an overview of the political and security situation in Central Africa and provides an update on threats to peace and security in the subregion. It also discusses the initiatives undertaken by the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa, Member States and subregional organizations. (spoke in English) Since the publication of the last report (S/2014/319), in May, the situation in the Central African Republic has remainsed of foremost concern in the region. The political situation is still fragile. Security conditions are volatile. The humanitarian situation is precarious. Human rights violations continue to be reported. Hundreds of thousands of refugees are being hosted in neighbouring countries. However, this last period has also seen a consolidation of international support for the Central African Republic and resolutionenewed momentum to keep the political transition on track. In July, the fifth meeting of the International Contact Group on the Central African Republic expanded the mediation led by President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of the Congo on behalf of the Economic Community of Central African States to an international mediation that now comprises the United Nations, which I represent, and the African Union, as represented by its Special Envoy on the Central African Republic, Mr. Soumeylou Boubèye Maïga. We worked closely in order to facilitate the signing of an agreement on the cessation of hostilities and violence at the Brazzaville forum on the crisis in the Central African Republic in July. In August and September, I encouraged the transitional authorities in Bangui to adopt a more consultative approach to decision-making following the controversy surrounding the selection of a new Prime Minister. In October, following violent attacks that erupted in Bangui, I returned to the Central African Republic and encouraged all parties to reject violence and focus on advancing the transition. Tensions subsequently decreased and the Central African actors, together with their international partners, renewed their commitment to a peaceful, inclusive and speedy transition at the sixth meeting of the International Contact Group. In close collaboration and consultation with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Central African Republic and Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), Mr. Babacar Gaye, I have employed the good offices of the Secretary-General to ensure that all the actors remain committed to the peace process. On a daily basis, I maintain contact with all leaders and stakeholders to prevent a derailing of the process. Although it has not been fully implemented, the Brazzaville agreement generated new momentum and provides a framework that calls for the regrouping of ex-combatants and includes the participation of the ex-Séléka and anti-balaka in the peace process. While instability in the Central African Republic threatens the subregion from within, armed groups on the periphery threaten it from without. In that regard, incursions by Nigeria-based terrorist group Boko Haram have expanded into the Lake Chad basin region. A joint UNOCA-United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA) assessment mission to the areas of Cameroon and Chad affected by Boko Haram was undertaken in October. The mission observed that attacks have increased in frequency and intensity, especially in northern Cameroon. As a result, scores of people have been killed, tens of thousands of refugees have arrived in Cameroon, and abductions continue. The mission also observed the humanitarian and socioeconomic impact of Boko Haram’s activities in Chad. Beyond Cameroon and Chad, the other countries in the Lake Chad basin region should be kept under close watch and are at risk of being destabilized by Boko Haram. The situation, if left unaddressed, may soon overwhelm the capacity to respond. I have therefore advocated for strengthened coordination in the design and implementation of a multidimensional response to Boko Haram during my many interactions with the Governments concerned. I welcome in that regard the reactivation of the joint multinational task force for the Lake Chad basin countries and the development of a draft regional counter-terrorism strategy for the Lake Chad basin area. The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) has been weakened by concerted military and civilian efforts, but it continues to threaten populations in the region, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic, where UNOCA conducted assessment missions in July and August. The missions’ findings revealed a noticeable increase of LRA activity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a lack of reintegration support and development programming to combat the LRA. Killings and abductions continue. More than 160,000 persons are still displaced. There are persistent reports of LRA activity in the disputed Kafia Kingi enclave and of the group’s involvement in ivory poaching in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, gold and diamond trafficking in the Central African Republic and opportunistic alliances with the ex-Séléka. International cooperation involving LRA-affected countries and their national and international partners is at the centre of the efforts to address the threat and impact of that armed group. In that regard, I am collaborating closely with the African Union Special Envoy on the Lord’s Resistance Army, Jackson Tuwei, on the fight against the LRA. I am pleased that he will be addressing this body today. Tomorrow, I will participate in the International Working Group on the Lord’s Resistance Army, chaired by the United States and the European Union. I would like to acknowledge the Government of Uganda for its steadfast commitment to the collective effort against the LRA and, in particular, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces for their critical operational role within the African Union Regional Task Force. The international community and States in the region must remain committed to putting an end to the LRA threat once and for all. The region also continues to suffer from the scourge of a wide range of illegal activities, including piracy, armed robbery at sea, illegal fishing, the illicit wildlife trade and other forms of transnational organized crime. The inauguration of the Interregional Coordination Centre on Maritime Security in the Gulf of Guinea in Yaoundé and the operationalization of the Regional Coordination Centre for Maritime Security in Central Africa in Pointe-Noire, the Congo, represent important steps towards the establishment of a regional information-sharing architecture for maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea. In that respect, UNOCA continues to actively support the implementation of the decisions of the 2013 Summit of Heads of State and Government on Maritime Safety and Security in the Gulf of Guinea, held in Yaoundé. The coming two years will see a majority of countries in the Central African region hold elections, thus affecting the lives of more than 100 million people. In a number of countries, tensions are heightened as a consequence of the limited participation of certain segments of society, the polarized tone of the political debate, restrictions on the exercise of civil and political rights and possible constitutional amendments related to term limits, as seen recently in Burkina Faso, in West Africa. In that context, I began to hold consultations with political actors in the subregion, including the leaders of ruling parties and opposition figures, encouraging stakeholders to manage their political differences by engaging in dialogue, fostering consensus and advancing the consolidation of democracy. In addition, UNOCA co-organized a workshop in October in Douala, Cameroon, to promote the political participation of women, particularly in the countries scheduled to hold elections. (spoke in French) It is important to improve the coherence of the United Nations work in Central Africa. As noted, I have worked closely with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Central African Republic, Mr. Babacar Gaye. In September, I travelled to Dakar to meet with the Special Representative of the Secretary- General and Head of UNOWA to enhance cooperation between our respective offices in areas of common interest, such as maritime piracy and the fight against Boko Haram. In the same spirit, MINUSCA, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan and the United Nations Office to the African Union took part in the meeting of the focal points on the LRA held in Entebbe, Uganda, and UNOCA participated in the retreat organized by the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General to the Great Lakes Region, Mr. Said Djinnit. UNOCA is also working with the World Health Organization to support the subregion in the development of a coordinated response to the possible spread of the Ebola virus. In that respect, although Central Africa has thus far been spared infection by the disease, the potential for populations becoming infected and the capacities of Governments in the subregion being disrupted remains real. We must therefore remain vigilant and ensure that States are ready to respond appropriately. UNOCA is also strengthening its partnership with the African Union, including by taking part in the African Union Summit and, in October, at the meeting of African Union mediators and special envoys on issues of peace and security. I worked closely with the African Union special envoys on issues pertaining to the Central African Republic and the LRA. At the subregional level, UNOCA has stepped up its cooperation with the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). In June, as soon as I took office, I went to N’Djamena to consult with the ECCAS Chairman-in-Office, President Idriss Deby Itno of Chad. I then took part in a meeting of ECCAS Heads of State on the Central African Republic, on the margins of the twenty-third African Union Summit. I am also in regular contact with the ECCAS mediator for the crisis in the Central African Republic and the Secretary-General of ECCAS on all relevant issues under our respective mandates. Recently, UNOCA organized a workshop on mediation aimed at improving the skills of ECCAS and UNOCA experts and to strengthen institutional cooperation. UNOCA and ECCAS are also working together to organize a meeting of experts for the preparation of a subregional response strategy with regard to the threat posed by the Ebola virus. Finally, in its capacity as the secretariat of the United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa, UNOCA supported the organization of the Committee’s thirty-eighth and thirty-ninth ministerial meetings, held, respectively, in August in Malabo and in December in Bujumbura. The Committee continues to provide a regular forum for Governments in the subregion to allow progress to be made on a number of initiatives with regard to promoting peace and security in Central Africa. Central Africa remains a fragile subregion. It has enormous potential, but it faces considerable challenges. UNOCA will continue to play the role of catalyst in collaborating with other United Nations entities, while strengthening institutional partnerships and supporting the subregion in capacity-building for conflict prevention and peacebuilding.

I thank Mr. Bathily for his briefing. I now give the floor to Mr. Tuwei. Mr. Tuwei: On behalf of the African Union Commission and its Chairperson, Ms. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, I would like to thank the Council for the opportunity afforded to me to share some thoughts with Council members about the fight against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), within the particular framework of the Regional Cooperation Initiative for the Elimination of the Lord’s Resistance Army. I would especially like to thank the United Nations, the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) in Libreville and its Head, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Abdoulaye Bathily, for the continued cooperation in our joint efforts in the fight against the LRA. I would also like to thank all United Nations missions and agencies in the areas where the LRA continues to operate — namely, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan  — for the support they continue to provide in the implementation of the African Initiative and to meet the needs of the people affected by the criminal acts of the LRA. In that regard, I would like to recognize the efforts of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, including the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNICEF and so forth. I also thank other stakeholders and partners, particularly the United States of America for its operational and logistical support and the European Union for its unparalleled financial contributions. I cannot forget the many local and international non-governmental organizations that constantly pound the pavement so that we do not give up the struggle against the LRA and work hard to provide assistance to victims and communities affected by the atrocities of the LRA. At this stage of my remarks, I would also like to warmly congratulate my predecessor, Ambassador Francisco Madeira, on the initial work of the implementation of the Initiative and the particularly encouraging results he obtained, together with all the stakeholders, when he was still in office. The fight against the LRA seems to continue indefinitely, and some say that Joseph Kony is still on the run. Weariness is staring at us. But we who are at the forefront want to draw the attention of everyone to the collective work in which we are engaged. It is most difficult, even exhausting, given the sacrifices and logistical and financial resources required. The crises that erupted in the Central African Republic and South Sudan over the past two years have been most devastating, but we have continued despite those obstacles and those encountered in the theatre of operations. We feel encouraged by the successive defections that occurred within the LRA, the increasing number of victims rescued and the significant reduction in attacks and in the number of displaced persons due to the LRA. With the assistance of the continued presence of contingents of the African Union Regional Task Force in Obo, in the Central African Republic, and in Dungu, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we have managed to persevere. With the Task Force, we have been able to respond quickly and deal a fatal blow to significantly reduce the nuisance capacity of the Lord’s Resistance Army. However, we have not achieved the ultimate goal, namely, the physical capture of Joseph Kony and putting an end to the atrocities of the Lord’s Resistance Army. Undoubtedly, from wherever he is hiding, Kony is following and watching us to adjust his operational mode. The information reaching us, especially from those who have defected, indicates that Kony is establishing opportunistic and even strategic alliances and is engaged in all kinds of trafficking, particularly in ivory and diamonds. It is now clear that Kony has contacts with ex-Séléka in the Central African Republic, and certainly with other nomadic groups of people in the vast area that extends from South Sudan to the northern Democratic Republic of the Congo, covering all border areas between the Central African Republic, the Sudan, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. That trafficking shows clearly that Kony maintains a network of relationships and is therefore accessible, even if it is true that the group is divided into several small, highly mobile and active groups, almost exclusively in the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These latest developments convince us that there is great interest in the need to review our strategies and adapt them wisely. That is why I would like, on behalf of the African Union Commission and its Chairperson, to earnestly request the Council to maintain and increase its support for the Regional Cooperation Initiative, particularly through the means made available not only to UNOCA, but also to MONUSCO and MINUSCA, so that the scope of cooperation between those Missions and the Regional Task Force can be expanded operationally and take into account the logistical support to the contingents of the Regional Task Force based in Obo and Dungu. We also want to request the Council to use its influence to persuade others of good will to join us, and encourage all the stakeholders involved in the fight against the Lord’s Resistance Army to pursue their commitments in that collective campaign, and not to give in to discouragement, despite the rigours of the tests that lie ahead. It would be difficult to understand and explain how the African Union, the United Nations, the United States, the European Union and many other actors, all together, failed against Joseph Kony and some 200 men fighting in the bush. As regards the African Union and the Regional Cooperation Initiative for the Elimination of the Lord’s Resistance Army, and considering the outcome of my recent tour to Bangui, Kinshasha and Kampala, we shall go to work to give a new impetus to the Initiative through an enhancement of cooperation and commitment between the Member States of the Regional Cooperation Initiative, a reorganization of the Regional Task Force headquarters, including the operational and tactical plans, with the support of the American Special Forces, and an extension of our field of manoeuvre by working and involving the Sudan further in 2015. Furthermore, the enhancement of relations among the Regional Task Force contingents, MONUSCO and MINUSCA on the theatre of operations remains a key focus of our action plan.

I thank Mr. Tuwei for his briefing. The Council has before it the text of a statement by the President on behalf of the Council on the subject of today’s meeting. I thank the Council Members for their valuable contributions to this statement. In accordance with the understanding reached among the members of the Council, I shall take it that the members of the Security Council agree to this statement, which will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/2014/25. I now invite Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussion on the subject.