Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security
Council meeting on the Central African region.
Thank you to our briefers. President, I will make four points
today on the challenges facing Central Africa.
Thank you, President, and let me also thank SRSG Abarry,
Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States
President Verissimo and Ms Tamoifo for their important briefings.
President, I will make five points today on the challenges facing
Central Africa.
First, as the Secretary-General set out in his latest report, the
subregion is facing important electoral and transitional
milestones. Inclusive, peaceful and credible political processes
are critical for building and sustaining peace in the sub-region.
We encourage member states to facilitate inclusive electoral and
transitional processes and to draw on UNOCA support.
Second, the transition in Chad is one such potential milestone,
but the Chadian Transitional Authorities must honour conditions
set out in the May 2023 African Union Peace and Security Council
communiqué to see this milestone achieved. The response to last
October’s demonstrations was concerning. The United Kingdom
encourages the Transitional Authorities to work with UNOCA and
ECCAS to ensure accountability and the release of protestors
detained without due legal process.
We pay tribute to Chad’s generosity in helping host tens of
thousands of refugees fleeing the crisis in Sudan. The United
Kingdom is also providing over $3 million in humanitarian
assistance to help support vulnerable refugees from Sudan in
Chad. We encourage the Chadian Transitional Authorities to use
their influence with Sudan’s generals to encourage adherence to
the ceasefire, the facilitation of humanitarian access and
progress towards a peaceful resolution to this crisis.
Third, the United Kingdom remains concerned about the situation
in Cameroon, especially the humanitarian impact of the conflict
in the North West and South West regions. We agree with the
Secretary-General that inclusive dialogue is critical to resolve
the crisis. The UK continues to call on all parties to engage and
to enable safe access to schools and humanitarian assistance.
Fourth, as highlighted by my colleague the Permanent
Representative of Gabon, climate insecurity is a major threat to
this region. The United Kingdom welcomes UNOCA’s implementation
of climate security projects in Central Africa. It is essential
that UNOCA’s work on climate security in the region continues and
that the Council supports efforts to mitigate the challenges
posed by climate change.
Finally, President, we cannot ignore the destabilising role the
Wagner Group continues to play in this region. They are a driver
of conflict and resource competition, motivated by their
exploitation of natural resources and frequently associated with
human rights atrocities. They are a part of the problem, not the
solution.
