S/PV.9648 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. Abdou Abarry, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Central Africa and Head of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa; and His Excellency Mr. Gilberto da Piedade Veríssimo, President of the Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States. 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/2024/420, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Central Africa and the activities of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa. I now give the floor to Mr. Abarry.

At the outset, I would like to sincerely congratulate you, Sir, on your presidency of the Security Council, and to wish you every success in that work. I am pleased to present to the Council today the twenty-sixth report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Central Africa and the activities of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), contained in document S/2024/420. I welcome the participation in the Council’s work by His Excellency Mr. Gilberto da Piedade Veríssimo, President of the Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), which works closely with UNOCA. Over the past six months, during which I visited Rwanda, Burundi, Chad, Sao Tome and Principe, Angola and Cameroon, the Central African region witnessed some largely positive and encouraging developments. In that connection, I would like to commend the States of the subregion for their efforts and commitment to working to ensure a return to constitutional order in Chad and Gabon, in particular through the facilitation support provided under the auspices of ECCAS by President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and President Faustin Archange Touadera of the Central African Republic. I am pleased to note that, during the reporting period, Chad concluded its transition, with the adoption of a new Constitution by referendum in December 2023 and the holding of presidential elections on 6 May. According to several observers, the elections proceeded smoothly, despite a few isolated incidents, which were certainly unfortunate, but which did not compromise either the regularity or the credibility of the elections. However, it is worth noting, given the challenging environment in Chad at this time, there is a need to continue our support to the Chadian authorities in their efforts to achieve stability, especially at this new turning point in the country’s history. That is why we intend to support talks with political-military groups that have not signed the Doha Peace Agreement in order to build on the peace and reconciliation efforts undertaken by the Chadian authorities. In Gabon, the country marked an important milestone in its transition with the holding of an inclusive national dialogue in April, which resulted in a series of recommendations reflecting the Gabonese people’s aspirations for a fresh start. Following the dialogue, the Gabonese authorities took concrete steps towards ensuring a return to constitutional order by establishing the National Constitutional Committee tasked with drawing up a draft constitution and a draft electoral code. The international community, under the aegis of the United Nations, and through the Group of Friends of Gabon, which we established, has expressed its willingness to support the authorities in implementing the inclusive reform proposals that emerged from the dialogue. In Sao Tome and Principe, the country made substantial progress in the reform of its justice and security sectors through an agreement signed between the authorities and the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC). The agreement, which is the culmination of our support for the Government of Sao Tome and Principe in its efforts to reform the justice and security sectors since the unfortunate events of November 2022, and which followed the recommendations of the joint assessment mission carried out by the United Nations and ECCAS in April 2023, was signed during the visit of the Chair of the PBC to Sao Tome in May. It provides for the release of some $2.5 million from the Peacebuilding Fund, reflecting the commitments made at the meeting held between the Peacebuilding Commission and the Government in New York in January. On the socioeconomic front, it should be noted that at the Summit of the Heads of State and Government of ECCAS, held on 15 March in Malabo, the Central African States  — having lifted the sanctions against Gabon and thus enabled its return to the ECCAS family  — addressed the issue of regional economic integration, in particular the operationalization of the common market. I remain confident that facilitating intraregional trade will play a crucial role in promoting stability and preventing conflict in the subregion. The threat of unconstitutional changes of Government is still a concern for the region, as recent events in the Democratic Republic of the Congo demonstrate. In that respect, we are working towards an appeal to the States of the subregion to keep political forums open by guaranteeing freedom of expression, freedom of the press and the free exercise of political parties’ activities. Therefore, at the fifty-sixth meeting of the United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa (UNSAC), held in Kigali in November 2023, the States of the region mandated UNOCA to organize a regional conference on the issue of unconstitutional changes of Government and their root causes, in order to identify avenues for reflection and responses to those challenges. The conference will be held on 1 and 2 July in Sao Tome and Principe. In a different vein, armed groups and violent extremists continue to threaten the stability and development of countries in the subregion. Whether in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo or in the Lake Chad basin, terrorist groups have continued to spread terror among civilian populations, in particular women and children, despite the presence of military forces in those regions. In that regard, I welcome the efforts of the Multinational Joint Task Force, which, despite its many logistical and financial challenges, continues to carry out its operations successfully against groups affiliated with Boko Haram and Da’esh in the Lake Chad basin. In Cameroon, which I visited from 27 to 30 May, separatist groups are continuing their abuses against civilians in the north-west and south-west regions, with the enforcement of ghost towns and the closure of schools, restricting access to education for thousands of children. Last month alone, separatist groups killed more than 14 people in those regions, including State officials. During my most recent visit to Cameroon, the authorities reaffirmed their willingness to resolve the crisis themselves. However, I reiterated the United Nations readiness to support them in that endeavour. During that mission, I noted that all partners agreed that Cameroon is of strategic importance for the region, not only in terms of stability but also because Cameroon remains the economic engine of the region and contributes significantly to monetary stability as the largest holder of foreign currency reserves in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community region. In the Great Lakes region, the activities of the Mouvement du 23 mars rebel group, as well as those of other armed groups and militias present in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, have escalated in recent months, resulting in more than 7.2 million internally displaced persons and threatening the peace and stability of the area. Indeed, the abuses committed by armed groups in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Burundi have rekindled tensions between neighbouring countries, in particular between Burundi and Rwanda and between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was against that backdrop that the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region, Mr. Xia Huang, and I undertook a joint mission to Burundi and Rwanda to offer our good offices in the light of those rising tensions. It was also in that context that Special Envoy Xia Huang, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ms. Bintou Keita, and I discussed together in Luanda, on the occasion of the UNSAC meeting, ways of coordinating our efforts to support the Luanda process led by His Excellency Mr. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola, for the return of peace to the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Luanda meeting was an opportunity for UNSAC member States to adopt declarations on mediation processes and on the fight against hate speech in Central Africa. During the period covered by the report, Central Africa has faced an increase in extreme rains caused by climate change, with devastating consequences for human life, infrastructure and socioeconomic stability. Several countries in Central and East Africa have been hit by severe flooding caused by heavy rain. Angola, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Congo saw thousands of homes destroyed, people displaced and infrastructure damaged. Kenya and the United Republic of Tanzania were also affected during the same period. It is clear that such crises, linked to climate change, have devastating effects on the countries affected and pose significant security challenges for Central Africa. They strain Governments’ limited resources, exacerbate existing socioeconomic vulnerabilities and have the potential to fuel social unrest and conflicts over access to resources. Indeed, the loss of livelihoods and the displacement of communities are likely to exacerbate socioeconomic inequalities and undermine the authority of States. Displaced populations are also vulnerable to food insecurity and epidemics, posing real challenges for both national and regional security, as well as exacerbating an already worrying humanitarian situation. During the period covered by the report, the number of humanitarian crises in the region increased, whether because of climatic phenomena or armed violence. Sadly, the Sudanese crisis is ongoing, with its share of atrocities, pushing even more refugees into Chad and the Central African Republic. In that regard, I am pleased to inform the Council that, being aware of the situation, the member States of ECCAS have decided to organize a humanitarian conference in Malabo in November. The Governments of the subregion have also become aware of the threat posed by climate change to their stability and development, and on 14 and 15 March, the Government of Sao Tome and Principe thus held a high-level conference on innovative environmental financing for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. The conference concluded with a call for the development of a road map for sustainable blue and green financing, highlighting the importance of partnerships and resource mobilization. Despite the progress made, the Central African subregion also continues to face challenges to maritime safety in the Gulf of Guinea. We are continuing our efforts to coordinate and combat that scourge in cooperation with the Economic Community of West African States and ECCAS, with the support of our partners. In conclusion, I would like to point out that, as I stressed when presenting the previous reports, UNOCA continues to work closely with the ECCAS Commission to better support the subregion as it strives for peace, stability and development. Keeping in mind the important role played by the ECCAS Commission in that regard, we will continue to explore ways and means for us to support the Commission to better coordinate our activities with it, in order to promote democracy and protect human rights, including the participation of women and young people in decision-making processes, and preserve the environment, all of which are essential elements in laying the foundations for the shared prosperity and development to which all the peoples of Central Africa aspire. It is our hope that the renewal of the UNOCA’s current mandate will take into account the Office’s goal of meeting the expectations of ECCAS member countries for greater cooperation and good offices in the years to come.

I thank Mr. Abarry for his briefing. I now give the floor to Mr. Da Piedade Veríssimo.

It is a great honour for me to address this important meeting devoted to reviewing the security situation in Central Africa. At the outset, allow me to offer my heartfelt congratulations to Ambassador Joonkook Hwang on his momentous election as President of the Security Council for the month of June and to express my deep appreciation to him for including the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) in today’s important discussions. In the same vein, I would like to congratulate the Security Council on its decision to devote today’s meeting to the situation in Central Africa. We at ECCAS believe that this meeting is timely, given the particularly complex security situation in which some of the States in our subregion find themselves. As we hold this Council meeting, the situation in ECCAS is considered to be generally stable, although it remains fragile and exposed to the larger international political, security and economic context. Indeed, after three years of a political transition process assisted and supported by ECCAS, Chad held a presidential election on 6 May, thereby consecrating the country’s return to constitutional order. It should be recalled that that successful conclusion of the transition process was made possible by the willingness to cooperate shown by the authorities and all stakeholders in Chad as well as the facilitation work carried out on behalf of the Community by the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, His Excellency Mr. Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo. For its part, the political transition process under way in Gabon since its establishment on 31 August 2023 raises hope and optimism. Indeed, the consensus reached during the inclusive national dialogue, which brought together nearly 600 Gabonese stakeholders from all walks of life in April, paved the way for the imminent drafting of the country’s next constitution and its submission to a referendum, as well as the organization of elections that are expected to bring an end to the transition in September 2025. The unconstitutional change in Gabon on 30 August 2023 led the ECCAS Conference of Heads of State and Government, in accordance with its fundamental texts, to impose sanctions on the Gabonese Republic, in particular by temporarily preventing it from participating in the activities of the Community. The positive developments recorded since then explain the decision taken in March by the ECCAS Conference of Heads of State and Government to lift the sanctions enforced by the Community on Gabon, on the condition of strict compliance with the transition timetable presented to the Conference in December 2023. The measure recently taken by the ECCAS Conference of Heads of State and Government aims to better support Gabon in this crucial phase of its transition process, related to organizing the constitutional referendum and elections, which are expected to bring an end to the transition. As was the case for Chad, the political transition process in Gabon has benefited from the assistance and support of ECCAS, including through the facilitation efforts led by the President of the Central African Republic, His Excellency Mr. Faustin Archange Touadera. Notwithstanding those positive situations, Central Africa faces several security challenges. Those challenges include the persistent militancy of armed groups resistant to peace processes in both the Central African Republic and the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The region also faces the terrorist threat emanating from the Sahel region and the Lake Chad basin region as well as from the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Secessionist movements also remain a security threat in the region, as evidenced by the situation in Cameroon, although their capacity to cause harm is today very limited thanks to the action taken by the public authorities. The Central African region is also the scene of a major humanitarian crisis caused by both the various instances of insecurity it is facing and the harmful consequences of climate change, the clearest and most recent manifestation of which is the series of floods currently affecting several States in our Community. Regarding the instances of insecurity I just mentioned, it is important to remember that just as Central Africa is home to millions of internally displaced persons from the region, so too is our region home to thousands of refugees fleeing the brutality due to the crises in the Sudan and Libya, to name but two countries. Lastly, the diplomatic and security tensions between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda on the one hand and Burundi and Rwanda on the other should be recalled. Those multiple intertwined crises are in the process of permanently re-establishing the system of conflicts at the root of the crisis that occurred in the Great Lakes region in the mid-1990s, the consequences of which we are still feeling to this day. The Luanda and Nairobi processes, led respectively by the President of the Republic of Angola, His Excellency Mr. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, and the former President of the Republic of Kenya, Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta, have made it possible to contain those crises, although they have not resolved them definitively. Despite the undoubtedly significant regional and continental efforts continuously mobilized to confront them, armed groups, terrorist organizations, secessionist movements and the diplomatic and security crises in Central Africa continue to pose a threat to international peace and security. This situation therefore deserves the Security Council’s full attention. To that end, ECCAS would like to reiterate its thanks to the United Nations for the contribution of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, the Organization’s two peace Missions currently deployed, respectively, in those countries. However, taking into consideration the imminent withdrawal of MONUSCO from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as agreed between the Congolese Government and the United Nations, we would like to appeal to the Security Council to provide all the necessary support to the regional Southern African Development Community Mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a view to guaranteeing the achievement of its noble objectives. In the same vein, while recognizing the highly commendable efforts currently being made under the Luanda and Nairobi processes to resolve the crises in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we believe that the Security Council should step up its support for those processes, particularly at a time when tensions between States appear to have reached their peak in the subregion. I would like to conclude by commending the Security Council, on behalf of ECCAS, for organizing this important meeting. I also wish to reiterate our organization’s gratitude to the President of the Security Council for having invited ECCAS to participate in today’s debate.

I thank Mr. Da Piedade Veríssimo for his briefing. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Abarry and Economic Community of Central African States Commission President Gilberto da Piedade Veríssimo for their briefings. The United Kingdom welcomes the positive achievements made by the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) in confronting challenges faced by the subregion, including through the use of its good offices and capacity-building to address the root causes of conflict. I will make four brief points today. First, we welcome the fact that Chad’s presidential election on 6 May took place under broadly peaceful conditions, but allegations of irregularities and the denial of accreditation to 2,900 European Union-trained electoral observers risk undermining progress towards a return to constitutional order. The United Kingdom urges Chad to now set a timeline for local and legislative elections, which are an opportunity to demonstrate commitment to good governance. Secondly, as the Secretary-General’s report (S/2024/420) makes clear, Gabon stands at a critical juncture following its national dialogue. We commend the authorities’ cooperation with UNOCA to date. Delivering an inclusive process for the transition to constitutional order, in accordance with the road map to elections in August 2025, will be crucial for meeting the democratic aspirations of all Gabonese people. Thirdly, we encourage UNOCA to deepen its support for Cameroon in developing a political solution to the crisis in its north-west and south-west regions. The United Kingdom is also deeply concerned by the insurgent violence in the far north region, including the growing use of improvised explosive devices. And we fully support the Multinational Joint Task Force in combating jihadist groups in the Lake Chad basin. Finally, delivering stability in the subregion means tackling the drivers and enablers of conflict. The United Kingdom recognizes that climate change has an impact on peace and stability across the subregion and encourages UNOCA to strengthen collaboration with other regional actors to enable a more coherent response to that challenge.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Abarry and Mr. Da Piedade Veríssimo of the Economic Community of Central African States for their informative briefings. The United States believes that it is vital to support the democratic and peaceful aspirations of the people of Central Africa. The humanitarian impact of the conflict in the Sudan, building democratic institutions, encouraging free and fair elections and countering the continuing threat from Boko Haram all remain important priorities. The United States is particularly concerned by the effect of the crisis in the Sudan on Chad and the Central African Republic, with both countries collectively hosting more than 600,000 new Sudanese refugees. We express our appreciation to the Governments of Chad and the Central African Republic, local communities and non-governmental organizations for welcoming those refugees. The United States continues to provide robust humanitarian aid in order to help ensure that the needs of refugees, host communities and others are met. Last year, the United States was the largest provider of assistance to the Sudan and neighbouring countries. We will continue working with key partners, particularly those within the region, to press the warring parties to lay down their arms, ensure unhindered humanitarian assistance and resume peace talks. In Chad, we welcome the largely peaceful conduct of the presidential election on 6 May, marking the culmination of a three-year transition, though we regret that the transitional Government’s full control over electoral institutions resulted in limits on transparency and undermined public confidence in the results. As Chad prepares for legislative elections in late 2024, followed by local elections, we call on the Government to increase inclusivity in and the transparency of the electoral process. We encourage Gabon to continue to make progress on its timeline towards elections and to include civil society in the process. United States assistance is highly dependent on Gabon moving towards free and fair elections with inclusive electoral processes and establishing, in a timely manner, a democratically elected Government that represents the Gabonese people. Turning to the Central African Republic, the United States calls on the Government and the opposition to engage constructively and transparently ahead of the country’s first local and regional elections since 1988. Those elections are a critical element of decentralization and building local institutions responsive to citizens’ needs. Additionally, the United States affirms the important role of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) in facilitating local and regional elections and more broadly supporting the extension of State authority. It is essential that the Government of the Central African Republic strengthen its coordination with MINUSCA and permit the Mission to operate free of obstruction. We cannot let terrorist groups impede or degrade democratic progress. The United States condemns Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province and all groups that attack civilians and displace populations. The legacy of the Lord’s Resistance Army, which remains active, demonstrates how a lack of accountability can perpetuate violence. The United States supports efforts by States in the region and the Multinational Joint Task Force to combat those terrorist groups and implement holistic strategies that address the underlying drivers of terrorism and ensure justice. In closing, the United States stands ready to continue its support for the democratic and peaceful aspirations of the people of Central Africa. And we remain in favour of a presidential statement that would put the Council on the record on those important issues, including acknowledging the threat climate change poses to the region.

I would like to thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Abarry and the President of Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) Commission Da Piedade Veríssimo for their comprehensive briefings. The briefings that we heard today paint a picture of a dynamic region that seeks growth, democratic progress and sustainable development, but that is, at the same time, faced with substantive political, economic and social challenges. Unresolved, they will continue to cause conflict and violence, which we deplore without reservations. In that regard, allow me to make the following points. First, we take note of different transitional processes currently under way in the region, including the presidential elections in Chad in May and the national dialogue that took place in April in Gabon. We welcome the overall commitment to electoral processes as a way to complete political transitions. Nevertheless, we underscore that holding elections must not be an end in itself. An inclusive political space, strong independent institutions, the rule of law and the protection of human rights are key to ensuring genuine democratic processes. We are concerned about continued restrictions on civic space and on freedom of expression. We are encouraged to see positive examples of the strengthening of democratic governance in Central Africa. We welcome the reforms of the judicial and security sectors being implemented by Sao Tome and Principe. We encourage the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) and ECCAS, as well as other United Nations agencies and regional organizations, to continue their support to Sao Tome and Principe and other countries in the region in their implementation of democratic reforms. We acknowledge the heavy burden of the large-scale displacement caused by the war in the Sudan on the humanitarian situation in neighbouring countries and their already fragile communities. We commend the Governments of Chad and the Central African Republic for their solidarity with the people fleeing from war. We call for continued international cooperation and support to displaced populations, as well as to host communities. Secondly, we commend UNOCA for its steadfast commitment to the climate and peace and security agenda. The report presented to us by Special Representative of the Secretary-General Abarry (S/2024/420) clearly demonstrates the impact of the climate crisis on peace and security in the region. Each extreme weather event, from catastrophic floods in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Congo, Burundi and Rwanda to historic drought in Angola, directly affects food security and causes new waves of displacement, further fuelling the cycle of instability. Slovenia observes with great concern the dynamics of severe outbreaks of farmer-herder conflicts that are directly caused by climate-induced natural resource scarcity, resulting in the changing shifts in transhumance patterns. For these reasons, we express our strong support for UNOCA’s efforts towards the development and operationalization of a regional transhumance protocol that would contribute to the prevention and resolution of conflicts in the region. Inclusive political dialogue cannot exist without the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women and youth. Women play a key role in economic recovery and building social cohesion. Their participation is integral for building and sustaining lasting peace. We therefore welcome UNOCA’s support to local, national and regional efforts in empowering women and youth of the region and bolstering their political participation. Finally, let me express our firm support for the extension of UNOCA’s mandate at the end of August. Furthermore, Slovenia looks forward to the adoption of a new presidential statement in order to give UNOCA a strong political tool as it carries out its important mandate.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the three African members of the Security Council — Mozambique, Sierra Leone and my own country, Algeria — as well as Guyana (A3+). We welcome the Secretary-General’s report (S/2024/420) and thank our brother Mr. Abdou Abarry, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Central Africa and Head of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa, for his comprehensive briefing and relevant information on the situation in the region. We also wish to thank Mr. Da Piedade Veríssimo, President of the Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), for his briefing. Central Africa, a resource-rich region, finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with a series of complex and interconnected challenges, including armed conflicts, transnational crime and maritime insecurity. However, it is encouraging to see these continued efforts of regional and subregional initiatives, aimed at tackling these challenges, bringing a beacon of hope through the ongoing peace talks and disarmament programmes, as well as the political transitions that are moving forward. At the political level, we are encouraged by the positive dynamic in several countries of the region and the steps taken to strengthen and restore institutions, responding to the legitimate aspirations of the population. On the security front, the A3+ is concerned about Boko Haram-related security incidents, resulting in too many fatalities in the region. We call on all stakeholders in the region to join forces to urgently address the uptick in the number of Boko Haram attacks in the Lake Chad basin and call for initiatives to address the underlying causes of violence and extremism. We are further concerned about the increase in the use of improvised explosive devices by terrorist groups in the region. The A3+ encourages the strengthening of cross-border cooperation between States in the region and beyond to counter the scourge of terrorism. We also note the persistence of the Lord’s Resistance Army in perpetrating attacks against civilians and, once again, emphasize the need to tackle the issue of terrorism and the activities of armed groups. Maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea remains a pressing concern, with piracy, armed robbery and other illicit activities threatening regional stability and economic development. We call on all security actors present in this maritime area to redouble their efforts and collaboration to put an end to these incidents. The A3+ strongly condemns the acts of violence and violation committed across the region. We call upon armed groups to renounce violence and engage in the ongoing processes of dialogue and disarmament in the countries of Central Africa. We welcome the examination of successful approaches in the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) of armed groups conducted in some countries in Central Africa. We believe that successful approaches should be replicated in the region and beyond when relevant. To this end, the A3+ also invites all partners to continue their financial and technical support to ensure that DDR programmes set up in the region are completed properly and on time. Addressing the needs and rights of women and girls exposed to violence in crisis-affected areas is a priority of the A3+. We urge partners to provide specialized assistance in order to tackle those needs and rights in a comprehensive manner. We are also concerned about the adverse impact of climate change on the Central African region, including the increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events which pose significant risks to livelihood, food security and peace in the region. The region remains one of those most vulnerable to the consequences of climate disruption. The recurrence of increasingly devastating floods, the longer duration of drought and the historic shrinking of Lake Chad are perfect illustrations in that regard. Moreover, humanitarian needs in Central Africa continue to be driven by armed violence, food insecurity and forced displacement, among other factors. Humanitarian assistance is far from meeting the needs of affected populations, and that is very worrisome. We therefore encourage donors to provide sufficient financial resources to allow the humanitarian response plan to carry out its programme and activities. The A3+ notes that many other pressing challenges are facing the Central African region. Decades of conflict have left deep scars. As I have mentioned earlier, armed groups continue to displace civilians and hinder vital services. The most vulnerable, especially women and children, suffer the most. That is why the international community must play a greater role, particularly in transformative economy recovery. The A3+ calls on everyone in a position to do so to provide support for the most pressing needs but also to invest in sustainable development in Central Africa, particularly in education and health care, as they are the pillar of a brighter future. The A3+ urges the international community in general, and the Security Council in particular, to support the countries in the region in their quest for peace and development. Central Africa has the potential for prosperity, yet the persistent fragility of peace and security requires continued United Nations support. We in the A3+ concur that that support is especially needed in areas such as preventive diplomacy, mediation and peacebuilding.

I wish to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Mr. Abarry, and President Da Piedade Veríssimo for their briefings. For some time now, countries in Central Africa have vigorously advanced their political processes and achieved significant progress in pursuing peace and development and promoting stability. However, the region is still confronted with multiple challenges in areas such as security and development, which demand greater international support and assistance. Allow me to stress the following. First, we must support the region in its efforts to maintain overall stability. During the reporting period, Chad successfully conducted a presidential election, marking a smooth conclusion of its political transition. Gabon convened a national dialogue, followed by its reintegration into the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). Rwanda is actively preparing for its general elections. The Central African Republic is advancing its peace process with greater vigour. China recognizes and salutes the efforts made and progress achieved by the countries in the region. We encourage them to keep up the momentum, step up dialogue and solidarity and maintain the overall political stability. Next year, various countries in the region will embark on political transitions and hold general elections. The international community must respect the sovereignty and ownership of countries in the region, uphold the principle of African solutions to African problems and support countries in the region in their choice of development model that aligns with their respective national realities. Secondly, we must support enhanced regional cooperation. As stated in the report of the Secretary- General (S/2024/420), the security situation in the Lake Chad basin area has been complicated and challenging recently. Boko Haram, Da’esh and other terrorist organizations remain rampant, resulting in hundreds of civilian casualties. We welcome the ongoing counter- terrorism activities undertaken by Chad, Cameroon and others to keep the pressure on terrorist groups. That is an area where the international community needs to channel more support to build up region-wide collaborative security capacities. The United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) needs to provide more assistance in the development of the regional security mechanism. The conflict in the Sudan is spilling over, impacting the security situation in countries such as the Central African Republic and Chad, and aggravating regional security risks. We support increased border control and joint patrols by countries in the region to contain the illicit flows of weapons and fighters to keep the region secure. Thirdly, we must help the region to address livelihood and development challenges. The region has recently experienced economic slowdown and continued inflation, with livelihood issues more acutely felt in some countries. Issues such as armed violence and the conflict in the Sudan have exacerbated the regional humanitarian crisis. Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon and others are under tremendous pressure when dealing with issues such as refugees and food security. Traditional donors and international financial institutions must honour their assistance commitments, close the funding gap in humanitarian emergency funds immediately and assist the region in alleviating its debt burden and funding challenges. The international community must also support the countries in the region in infrastructure development and employment opportunities, step up efforts in technology transfer and knowledge-sharing and assist the region in achieving self-reliant sustainable development. Recently, several countries in the region were hit by floods, drought and other natural disasters, resulting in major economic losses and further holding back their implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. More support should be provided by the international community to enable them to enhance their climate resilience. The developed countries should make good on their commitments on climate financing, engage in the transfer of green technologies and take more tangible actions in the regional response to climate change. Under the leadership of Special Representative Abarry, UNOCA has actively engaged with all parties to enhance security and development cooperation in the region, which we commend. China supports UNOCA’s mandate renewal by the Council and encourages UNOCA to continue to forge closer communication and dialogue with ECCAS and countries in the region to make further contributions to regional peace and stability.

We would like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Abdou Abarry, and the President of the Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), Mr. Gilberto da Piedade Veríssimo, for their briefings. The countries of Central Africa continue to face complex challenges in the areas of peace and security, State-building and economic development. Recently, we have seen how our Western colleagues have been dutifully removing from Security Council documents any references to the events that took place in Libya in 2011, when their hasty use of force led to the destabilization of several African regions. Of course, the area that must deal with the main consequences is Western Africa, but Central Africa has been affected, too. Hotbeds of instability are unfortunately spreading beyond the Sahara-Sahel region. We see the concern of the coastal countries of the Gulf of Guinea. The strengthening of the Islamic State West Africa Province is having a negative impact on the security situation in the States of the Lake Chad basin region. We are concerned about the persistent destructive potential of Boko Haram. The actions of that group continue to have a significant impact on the situation in several regions of Cameroon and Chad and pose a threat to north-eastern Nigeria. We attach particular importance to regional counter-terrorism efforts. We note the effectiveness of the joint work of African countries within the Multinational Joint Task Force. We call for the international community to provide them with predictable funding and assistance. We are concerned about the continued violence in north-western and south- western Cameroon and advocate for seeking a political formula to resolve the disputes in those regions affected by the armed conflict. We are pleased to see the situation in the Central African Republic becoming progressively more stable. With the support of bilateral partners, including Russia, as well as the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, Bangui has managed to overcome the most difficult phase of the fight against armed groups. We call on the countries of the region to learn from the Central African Republic’s experience in normalization, which Bangui is ready to share. We will continue to provide comprehensive support to our Central African friends in establishing peace and security in the country. We note positive developments in the official dialogue between the Central African Republic and Chad on cross- border cooperation. We firmly believe that that will help to enhance joint efforts to eliminate security threats in the area adjacent to the State border of the two countries. We congratulate the Government and the people of Chad on the successful holding of presidential elections and the completion of the transition period. That is an important step towards ensuring stability and national harmony. We note the focus of Gabon’s transitional authorities on returning to constitutional rule within an agreed time frame. We welcome the decision of ECCAS to restore Gabon’s membership in that subregional organization. We are seriously concerned about the difficult humanitarian situation in the region, in particular the developments in the Sudan and the large-scale implications of that conflict for neighbouring States. Statistics on refugees, internally displaced persons and those in need of some form of humanitarian assistance show that increasing support for the countries of Central African region is necessary. We join the call of the Secretary-General. We have unwaveringly supported the activities of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) and its head, Mr. Abdou Abarry, in strengthening peace and security in the region. We note the mediation efforts made by UNOCA in direct contact with the parties in problem areas and in coordination with regional mechanisms and associations. We consider UNOCA to be an important instrument for international preventive diplomacy. At the same time, we firmly believe that the States of the region must play a primary role in crisis prevention and conflict resolution. Assistance from the international community should be based on the principles of non-interference in internal affairs and respect for national sovereignty. There is no place here for outdated and discredited colonial practices or their contemporary manifestations. We do not support the linkage between climate change and issues of peace and security actively promoted by several special political missions. Substituting political efforts with those secondary tasks is not appropriate. Measures to adapt to and overcome the consequences of climate change should be dealt with by United Nations funds and programmes. Solutions to emerging problems are clearly to be sought in the area of promoting economic development. Chasing donor funds will not yield practical results. In conclusion, we would like to state that Russia will continue to support the United Nations entities working in the region, including UNOCA, and to provide its countries with the necessary assistance on a bilateral basis.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Abarry and Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) Commission President, His Excellency Mr. Da Piedade Veríssimo, for their insightful briefings. Today I want to make four points. First, Japan notes the relative political stability that the region has enjoyed since our meeting in December 2023 (see S/PV.9505), despite reported restrictions on civic space in some countries. We reiterate the centrality of good governance and resilient democratic institutions based on the rule of law and that continuous efforts must be made to protect civic space, including freedom of expression, and to ensure inclusivity in political dialogue. In that vein, Japan appreciates the inclusive national dialogue that took place in Gabon in April and the advances that the country is making towards a return to constitutional order, in line with the defined timeline. We look forward to the conclusion of peaceful and fair presidential and legislative elections in August 2025. Regarding Chad, Japan welcomes the efforts of the people of Chad in holding last month’s presidential elections in a generally peaceful manner and hopes for further progress towards democracy in an inclusive, peaceful and transparent manner. Secondly, on the security front, we remain concerned about the continued violence in the north- west and south-west regions of Cameroon and especially about the effect that that is having on future generations, deprived of their right to education, as was noted in the report of the Secretary-General (S/2024/420). We call on the Government of Cameroon to constructively engage, on the basis of the 2019 national dialogue, with all stakeholders towards reconstruction and development in those areas and for the safe return of refugees and internally displaced persons. Thirdly, Japan is perturbed by the persistent insecurity and dire humanitarian situation in the region. That is exacerbated by the negative effects of climate change, with rising food insecurity, water scarcity, clashes among communities and forced displacement. Japan commends the shared efforts by countries of the region, ECCAS, the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) and other actors in promoting the climate and peace and security agenda in the Central African region, which is imperative to achieving long- term regional stability. Lastly, concerted efforts by national Governments, subregional and regional organizations and the international community are needed to take on the multifaceted challenges of governance faced by the region, which have an impact on social, economic and political development. UNOCA is in a unique position to facilitate and enhance such efforts. In that regard, Japan supports the mandate renewal of UNOCA for another three years, as recommended by the Secretary-General. Furthermore, we should strive to adopt a Security Council presidential statement. It has been nearly five years since the last one was issued. A presidential statement not only will signal the Council’s support for the valuable work of UNOCA but also will provide more concrete guidance concerning the Council’s priorities, taking into account recent developments in the region.

I thank the Special Representative for his briefing. I also thank the President of the Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States. I welcome the efforts made by the Special Representative and the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) to build peace in Central Africa. France supports the extension of the Office’s mandate for a period of three years. The work achieved by UNOCA is essential in a context of major challenges for the region. Several States, specifically Chad and the Central African Republic, are facing significant displacements of civilian populations as a result of the conflict in the Sudan. Ongoing military operations in the town of El Fasher in North Darfur have threatened hundreds of thousands of besieged civilians. Those operations also create a humanitarian risk and a risk of destabilization for the region. France calls upon the parties to put an end to the escalation and to engage in good faith in the conflict resolution process. UNOCA’s good offices role is also important in supporting the Cameroonian authorities and finding a solution to the crisis in the north-west and south-west regions. France is concerned by the violence and calls upon the authorities to pursue dialogue. The stability of the country and the safety of its inhabitants are at stake. The transition processes that are under way in a number of countries in the region must continue in order to facilitate a return to democratic institutions. The full participation of all components of society is essential, in the interest of the populations and to guarantee the long-term stability of those States. France welcomes the democratic commitment of the Chadian people. It continues to support Chad in its political transition and in the dialogue initiated on modernizing the country. In Gabon, the transition is proceeding encouragingly. France stands ready to deliver support to restore constitutional order, building upon the national dialogue. France fully supports UNOCA’s efforts to help prepare for the upcoming elections. In the Central African Republic, France encourages the authorities to guarantee the exercise of civil and political rights by all Central Africans. There is a need to begin creating conditions conducive to the holding of free, transparent and inclusive local and regional elections. France also recalls that it is important for all parties to effectively implement the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic and the Luanda road map. It welcomes the efforts of the Central African authorities to that end. France welcomes UNOCA’s commitment to addressing the issue of the risks posed by climate change to the stability and security of countries in the region. The impacts of climate change have been documented. The Secretary-General’s report (S/2024/420) focuses on, among others, the consequences for the population of flooding in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Congo, Rwanda and Burundi. There is at present a need to implement concrete solutions on the ground. To that end, the work of UNOCA’s Climate, Peace and Security Adviser and coordination with subregional organizations and the States of the region are essential.

I would like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), Mr. Abdou Abarry, and the President of the Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), Mr. Gilberto da Piedade Veríssimo, for their briefings. The Secretary-General’s report (S/2024/420) highlights the complexity of the challenges facing the Central African subregion in terms of security and humanitarian needs. UNOCA has the tools to prevent and mitigate political crises and promote dialogue to achieve stability and help countries consolidate peace. That role complements the role of subregional bodies that promote good governance, mutual trust and good neighbourliness in the Central African subregion. We take note of the progress achieved towards the return to democracy in Gabon and the holding of presidential elections in Chad and of the role of ECCAS in achieving them. We also take note of political developments in Burundi, Rwanda and Sao Tome and Principe. Security challenges persist, with increased Boko Haram violence in the Lake Chad basin and Cameroon, as well as intercommunal attacks. The fight against terrorism must be complemented by tackling the causes of violence, promoting dialogue and tolerance, combating hate speech and misinformation, and providing people with a decent livelihood. The need for humanitarian assistance as a result of the forced displacement caused by conflicts in the region has reached record levels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Central African Republic and Chad continue to receive influxes of people fleeing the conflict in the Sudan. In addition, the humanitarian situation is aggravated by natural disasters exacerbated by climate change. International aid cannot stop. The activities that UNOCA has been carrying out within the framework of the women and peace and security agenda and the youth, peace and security agenda, in conjunction with civil society organizations in Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Angola, should continue to be replicated. Development, peace, security and human rights are interlinked and mutually reinforcing, hence the need to coordinate efforts aimed at creating opportunities for the population and improving their living conditions. In that vein, the development of road infrastructure, basic services, health and education should be supported. UNOCA’s ability to promote synergies between the countries of the subregion and the United Nations system and agencies, such as the United Nations Development Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, is of great value. It would also be useful to build bridges with international and regional financial organizations in order to catalyse access to resources, including access to climate finance, which is scarce for countries in conflict situations. I conclude by stating that my delegation reiterates its support for the stewardship of Special Representative Abarry and the role of UNOCA in the coordinated and multifaceted response that is required to address the challenges facing the Central African subregion.

I also thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Abarry and President Da Piedade Veríssimo for their insightful remarks. Central Africa holds the potential of immense social and economic growth. Good governance and reforms offer, among others, the key to that potential while fostering trust and inclusivity. Malta applauds the strategic partnership between the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) and the Economic Community of Central African States, particularly in such critical aspects as conflict prevention and mediation, maritime security and climate change. We support such synergies, which can lead to successful initiatives, with a positive domino effect in the region. In that light, Malta welcomes initiatives aimed at reinforcing the justice system in Sao Tome and Principe, as well as remarkable partnerships with civil society and support for women and youth networks in Gabon. We also take note of the developments in countries in transition, such as Gabon and Chad, which concluded that phase with recent elections. We remain convinced that genuine democratic tools need to be rooted in the core structure of societies. Regrettably, parts of Central Africa continue to be plagued by recurrent challenges, including violence fuelled by armed groups, terrorists and armed separatists. We recall the crucial role that dialogue holds in addressing economic, religious and even ideological fractures. We condemn in the strongest terms attacks on schools and teachers. In Cameroon, approximately 2,875 schools, out of a total of 6,970, have remained closed since September 2023. Overall, an estimated 500,000 children are out of school owing to violence targeting teachers, students and educational institutions. That is unacceptable. Boko Haram’s offensives continue to devastate the Lake Chad basin, with an appalling increase in the number of improvised explosive devices. Malta echoes the Secretary-General’s appeal to support the Multinational Joint Task Force and the revised Regional Strategy for the Stabilization, Recovery and Resilience of the Boko Haram-Affected Areas of the Lake Chad Basin Region, currently under development. We also highlight the extensive displacement triggered by the prolonged conflict in the Sudan. Many have sought refuge in neighbouring countries in Central Africa, especially in Chad and the Central African Republic, heightening pressures on already vulnerable host communities. Climate change and its impacts on security and stability in Central Africa remain a major concern. As natural resources dwindle and extreme weather events increase, agricultural lands become the ground of clashes between herders and farmers. In Chad, those clashes have even resulted in deaths. Unprecedented heavy rainfall, leading to the overflow of the Congo River, has caused the most significant flooding since 1961 in the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, ravaging houses and farmlands. Burundi and Rwanda have experienced similar destruction, while Angola is facing the devastating effects of five consecutive drought cycles, the worst in 40 years. Those climate-security risks can, however, be addressed. Malta fully supports the important work carried out by climate and peace and security advisers, including the one based in UNOCA. More can be done by the Council to recognize the nexus that exists between climate and peace and security, at least geographically, in Central Africa. We remind the international community of the Congo basin’s remarkable capacity to absorb carbon, widely known as the “lungs of Africa”. We therefore commend the partnership announced between the Republic of the Congo, France and the European Union, at the value of $50 million, at the twenty-eighth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, aimed at delivering a sustainable economic model, while protecting biodiversity and combating climate change. To conclude, Malta supports the tireless efforts by Special Representative Abarry and UNOCA, including its mandate renewal for another three years, to build on its achievements towards peace and security in Central Africa.

I thank the Special Representative of the Secretary- General for Central Africa and the President of the Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) for their briefings. Switzerland reiterates its full support for the Special Representative and the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) in their efforts to build peace in Central Africa and prevent future conflicts. Prevention, which is part of the mandate of the Security Council, has an important place in the Secretary- General’s A New Agenda for Peace. In that respect, we welcome the Office’s mediation work with all parties, in coordination with regional mechanisms. We underline the good collaboration between UNOCA and the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel. By pooling their efforts, the two Offices amplify their impact and assist countries in meeting common challenges. We call on the members of the Council to support the Special Representative in the implementation of his mandate by adopting a presidential statement as soon as possible. Allow me to highlight three points. First, inclusive and transparent political processes are necessary for lasting peace in Central Africa. The current transition in Chad is a unique opportunity to strengthen democratic governance and respect for human rights. Switzerland notes the holding of presidential elections and encourages the authorities to complete the transition by organizing legislative elections. To that end, all Chadians, including the political opposition and politico-military movements, must be involved. Switzerland is working to support the Chadian authorities in response to their request. In Gabon too, it is crucial that human rights be taken into account in the national political dialogue. That must include the opposition and civil society. Switzerland welcomes the Special Representative’s collaboration with Gabonese parliamentarians to promote the participation of women in political life during the transition and beyond. We welcome the progress made in extending the authority of the State in the Central African Republic, supported by the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic. The upcoming inclusive local elections will be a decisive step in building on that progress. Secondly, the security and humanitarian situation must be addressed regionally. The activities of armed groups in Chad, the Sudan and the Central African Republic are forcing people to move and destabilizing the region. The conflict in the Sudan is having a major impact on neighbouring countries and requires a regional response. We welcome the solidarity shown by the countries of the region and their populations in welcoming refugees and encourage all countries to contribute to regional refugee response plans. In Cameroon, the persistent attacks in the north-west and south-west are also of great concern to us. As mentioned in the report (S/2024/420), several schools, which I would reiterate are protected under international humanitarian law, have been targeted. Those atrocities must not go unanswered. Thirdly, our actions must take account of the fact that climate change is exacerbating security threats in Central Africa. Climate change is contributing to the redrawing of transhumance corridors and leading to an intensification of conflicts between farmers and herders. In Cameroon, for example, the impact of climate change is palpable. Whether they make their living from fishing or farming, thousands of people are being forced to move to the north of the country, where local conflicts over water are raging. That illustrates the need to invest in the prevention of climate-related conflicts in order to achieve long-term stability in the region. We welcome the cooperation among ECCAS, its member States and UNOCA with the aim of adopting a regional protocol on transhumance. Switzerland is already collaborating with the States of the subregion and is ready to deepen discussions on that subject. The Secretary-General’s report once again demonstrates the important role played by UNOCA in meeting challenges in the region. In view of the forthcoming discussions on the mandate of the Regional Office, we reaffirm our full support for the Office’s strategic priorities and for a further three-year extension.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of the Republic of Korea. I thank Special Representative of the Secretary- General Abarry and the President of the Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), His Excellency Mr. Da Piedade Veríssimo, for their informative briefings today. The Republic of Korea commends the work of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) in executing its good offices and facilitating regional cooperation, which are pivotal to regional peace and security. Today, I wish to underscore three key points. First, we welcome developments in political transitions, namely, the holding of presidential elections in Chad and the timely transition progress in Gabon. We also welcome efforts made by President Tshisekedi Tshilombo of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as the ECCAS facilitator for Chad, who played a key role in enhancing the inclusivity of the transition by facilitating the return of political opponents. We hope to see a consolidation of those positive developments with continued efforts from those Governments to strengthen democratic institutions, political inclusivity, transparency, social cohesion and human rights protection. Secondly, the deteriorating security and humanitarian situations remain deeply concerning. In Cameroon, we reiterate the Secretary-General’s call for a political and Cameroonian-led resolution to resolve the continued conflict in the north-west and south-west regions. Violent extremist groups and the increased use of improvised explosives in the Lake Chad basin pose grave risks to civilians. We commend the Multinational Joint Task Force for weakening extremist activity and emphasize the importance of international support for such regional initiatives. The protracted conflict in the Sudan, causing large-scale displacement towards neighbouring countries, is also distressing. We thank the countries of the ECCAS region, such as Chad and the Central African Republic, for their solidarity in receiving those refugees. Thirdly, the impact of climate change in the Central African region is evident and must be taken into account. Severe weather events, such as five prolonged years of drought in Angola; the record rainfall, the heaviest in almost 65 years, that caused the Congo River to burst its banks; and deadly flooding that caused landslides in Burundi and Rwanda, exacerbate the already fragile food insecurity, forced displacement and humanitarian situation. At the same time, they also intensify armed, transhumance-related and intercommunal violence over increased competition for dwindling resources. In that regard, UNOCA’s Climate Peace and Security Adviser’s work and regional engagement are critical in analysing associated risks and building the region’s capacity to respond to those challenges. At last week’s first Korea-Africa Summit, held in Seoul, African leaders appreciated Korea’s support for strengthening Africa’s food self-sufficiency and climate response capacity through green and agricultural overseas development assistance projects. In conclusion, the Republic of Korea supports extending UNOCA’s mandate for another three years until August 2027. Through that extension, we believe that the Central African region will continue to be able to benefit from the United Nations presence and support, particularly in preventive diplomacy, mediation, peacebuilding and peace consolidation. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. There are no more speakers on my list. I now invite Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussion on the subject.