December 13, 2024
Thank you, SRSG Abarry, for your report and observations on the challenges in the Central African region. And thank you Ms. Nlate for your informative briefing.
It is vital that we support the democratic and peaceful aspirations of the people of Central Africa and address the pressing challenges facing the region: mitigating the humanitarian impact of the Sudanese conflict on Chad and other neighboring countries; building democratic institutions; and countering the continuing threats from Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa in the Lake Chad region.
The tragic conflict in Sudan and the dire humanitarian situation there continue to reverberate throughout the region. Chad and the Central African Republic are collectively hosting over 750,000 new refugees from the conflict. We express our appreciation to the governments of Chad and the Central African Republic, local communities, and NGOs for welcoming these refugees.
The United States continues to provide robust humanitarian aid to help ensure that the needs of refugees, their host communities, and others are being met. Last year, the United States was the largest provider of assistance to Sudan and neighboring countries.
Additionally, we continue to press the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces to expand humanitarian access, ensure the protection of civilians, and return to negotiations.
As Chad prepares for local and legislative elections on December 29, we call on the government to enhance inclusivity and transparency of the electoral process.
We similarly encourage Gabon to continue to make progress on its own path towards elections and to include civil society in the process. The constitutional referendum held November 16 was one, a positive step in this direction.
U.S. assistance is focused on supporting Gabon’s progress toward free and fair elections, with inclusive electoral processes. We urge Gabon to establish, in a timely manner, a democratically elected government in 2025 that represents the will of the Gabonese people.
For its part, the Central African Republic is scheduled to hold its first local and regional elections since 1988 in July 2025. These elections are a critical element of decentralization and building local institutions that are responsive to citizens’ needs. The United States urges the government and opposition to engage constructively and transparently ahead of, during, and after these elections.
As the largest bilateral donor to the Central African Republic, we welcome the opportunity to work with the government, civil society, and partners to help the country address the institutional challenges that have held back the Central African Republic’s advancement for too long.
The United States remains committed in supporting CAR’s stability and steps towards prosperity, including through approximately $250 million annually in assessed contributions for MINUSCA. We were glad to see the Security Council unanimously extend MINUSCA’s mandate for another year. MINUSCA is making vital contributions to strengthening governance, supporting security sector reform, and providing critical support for local elections.
We remain concerned that MINUSCA has faced repeated, predominately Russian-backed attempts to undermine it, including blocking mission patrols and spreading disinformation about the mission. It is in the collective interest of the Council that we support the important work of this mission instead of undermining the contributions of its troop- and police-contributing countries.
Overall, we cannot let terrorist groups impede or degrade democratic progress. The United States condemns Boko Haram, ISIS-West Africa, and all groups that attack civilians and displace populations. Now more than ever, we need all members of the MNJTF to remain engaged in the fight against Boko Haram.
The legacy of the LRA, which remains active, demonstrates how lack of accountability can perpetuate violence. The United States supports efforts by regional states to combat these terrorist groups and implement holistic strategies that address the underlying drivers of terrorism and ensure justice.
Finally, the United States welcomes the Security Council’s November 1 Presidential Statement supporting UNOCA, the first in five years.
And we look forward to further engagement with the Security Council to support Central Africa’s democratic and peaceful aspirations.