A3+ Statement by H.E. Ambassador Pedro Comissário, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Mozambique to the United Nations, at a UN Security Council Briefing on the Central African Region (UNOCA)

13 December 2024

Madame President,

1. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3+, namely Algeria, Guyana, Sierra Leone and my own country Mozambique.
2. We wish to express our profound gratitude to H.E Mr. Abdou Abary, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Central Africa and Head of UNOCA, for his comprehensive and insightful briefing.
3. We highly commend his exemplary leadership in addressing the complex and multifaceted challenges facing Central Africa.
4. The A3+ warmly welcomes the adoption of the PRST on UNOCA last November. This is a significant milestone, as the last PRST in the context of mandate renewal dates back 2018. We commend the Council’s renewed attention to this critical regional mechanism, which plays an essential role in promoting peace, security and development across Central Africa.
5. We emphasize our strong support for UNOCA’s mandate. We call for the provision of adequate financial resources to enable the Office to effectively carry out its critical work in addressing crossborder challenges and advancing stability and development in the region.

Madame President,

6. The political situation in Central Africa remains characterized by a blend of notable progress and challenges that require our attention.
7. In Chad, the announcement by the government of legislative, provincial, and municipal elections for December 2024 is a welcome development. This represents a great opportunity for the advancement of democracy, national reconciliation and trust.
8. Nevertheless, the decision by some political actors to boycott the elections raises serious concerns about inclusivity and fairness of the process. To address this situation, we urge the parties to engage in a constructive dialogue.
9. In Gabon, the peaceful conduct of the constitutional referendum represents a significant achievement. The adoption of reforms aimed at enhancing inclusivity, considering the eligibility criteria for presidential candidates, is a commendable step toward success.
10. We trust that the electoral frameworks will be further streamlined in order to guarantee the fairness and credibility of the upcoming presidential elections in Gabon.
11. The A3+ urges the transitional authorities to maintain open channels of communication with political actors, civil society organizations, and the broader Gabonese society to build trust and ensure stability in the country.

Madame President,

12. The political landscape in Cameroon is a matter of concern as demonstrated by the repeated postponement of elections and the extension of legislative terms.
13. This situation is further exacerbated by the ongoing crisis in the North-Western and South-Western regions, where armed separatist violence and allegations of human rights violations have been reported.
14. We strongly condemn attacks on schools. We urge the resumption of classes, as today’s children are tomorrow’s hope for a better and peaceful Cameroun.
15. The A3+ encourages dialogue as the most viable path forward to address the root causes of the crisis and restore peace with the protection of civilians remaining a top priority.
16. The dire situation in the North-Western and South-Western regions calls for an urgent, inclusive, and Cameroonian-led resolution. The A3+ underscores the imperative to respect the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Cameroon.

Madame President,

17. The Central Africa is still facing security challenges, with the persistent threats to regional peace and stability.
18. The A3+ commends the efforts made by the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to counter Boko Haram and its affiliates. Those efforts have yielded measurable progress, as evidenced by a decline in violent incidents.
19. However, the continued capacity of these groups to launch attacks particularly against military installations and civilian populations demonstrates that the threat is far from eradicated.
20. Sustained vigilance and enhanced coordination among MNJTF member states are crucial to building on the progress achieved so far. Operational capacities of MNJTF must be reinforced, including collaboration and resourcesharing improvement, to address conflicts and insecurity in the Central African Region.
21. In the same vein, we welcome the regional cooperation, including, the bilateral agreements between the Central African Republic, Chad, and other neighboring states, to enhance border security and intelligence sharing, as positive developments.
22. In this context, it is crucial for all states in the region to continue their joint efforts within the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) framework, to ensure sustained progress and to address any emerging threats and restore stability to the region.

Madame President,

23. The worrisome figures on the dire humanitarian situation in Central Africa underscore the devastating impact of armed conflict, climate change, and public health crises on the region’s most vulnerable populations.
24. The escalating farmer-herder clashes, driven by resource scarcity and shifting weather patterns, highlight the worsening impacts of climate change in the region.
25. Beyond displacement, the subregion faces severe food insecurity caused by climate-induced disasters, such as flooding and drought, exacerbating vulnerabilities and fuelling conflicts, particularly over natural resources. Public health systems are also under strain due to the mpox outbreak, which disproportionately affects women and children.
26. Despite comprehensive response plans by humanitarian actors, significant funding gaps persist with less than half of the required resources secured.
27. This is a stark reminder of the need for urgent and coordinated international action to bridge these gaps and provide life-saving assistance. We call on Member States to step up their contributions to bridge these gaps and provide life-saving assistance.
28. We welcome the Council’s acknowledgement of the climate-conflict nexus in its recent PRST on UNOCA and pledge to collaborate with the Mission in advancing practical measures to address these interconnected challenges.

Madame President,

29. The A3+ commends the efforts of regional organizations, including ECCAS (Economic Community of Central African States) and CEMAC (Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa), in addressing shared challenges. Their leadership in areas such as counterterrorism, economic integration, and transboundary security is vital.
30. Similarly, the A3+ acknowledges UNOCA’s initiatives to promote the participation of women in governance, to support electoral processes, and to address the climatesecurity nexus are exemplary.
31. The resilience of countries of Central Africa and their peoples in the face of adversity is remarkable and deserves our unwavering support. The A3+ stands ready to assist in their pursuit of peace, stability and prosperity.

I thank you, Madam President!