Elections in Central Africa Countries Show Significant Progress, But Security Conditions Could Disrupt Democratic Strides

 

Elections in Central Africa Countries Show Significant Progress, 

But Security Conditions Could Disrupt Democratic Strides, Briefers Tell Security Council

News and Press Release


9213TH MEETING* (PM)
SC/15133

Noting that recent elections held in Angola, Congo, São Tomé and Príncipe and Equatorial Guinea showed significant progress towards democracy and rule of law, as well as a greater participation of women, briefers told the Security Council today that strengthened international and regional cooperation was needed to build and sustain peace and democratic strides in Central Africa in the face of persistent security challenges.

Abdou Abarry, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Central Africa and Head of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), briefed the Council for the first time since his appointment on 28 July and presented the related report of the Secretary-General (document S/2022/896). The region had great challenges, but also great opportunities, particularly in the area of economic and social development and the building of democracy and the rule of law, he said, noting the peaceful holding of elections in São Tomé and Príncipe, Angola, Congo and Equatorial Guinea. Citing other positive developments, he highlighted the increased participation and representation of women in institutions and political processes and significant progress, as well, in maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.

However, in the Lake Chad Basin, extremist groups, although weakened, have continued to cause harm, he said, urging that military pressure must be maintained against those groups in a coordinated manner as part of the Multinational Joint Force. Meanwhile, in Cameroon, the situation in the north-west and south-west regions continues to threaten that country’s stability, with attacks on civilian targets, including schools. Still, the year 2023 will see significant political processes in certain Central African countries. Noting that the last elections in some of those countries were marked by violence, he called for international assistance and national and regional efforts to ensure peaceful electoral processes, and the Council’s increased political support towards that end.

Gilberto da Piedade Verissimo, President of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), said the ECCAS Commission deployed international electoral observation missions to Congo, Angola, São Tomé and Príncipe and Equatorial Guinea to monitor the electoral processes. In addition, ECCAS is working to implement an international fact-finding mission in Chad. An international fact-finding mission is also being operationalized in São Tomé and Príncipe to address the political and security crisis triggered by the recent presidential and legislative elections in 2021 and 2022.

Noting the worrisome situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as the terrorist movements and armed groups in South Kivu, North Kivu and Ituri, he said the Commission is exploring ways to send a regional force in the eastern part of the country as an observer. Calling on the cooperation of United Nations agencies, he said the challenging situations in Central Africa give rise to reimagined and renewed cooperation to promote peace and lasting security in the region.

In the ensuing debate, Council members welcomed the electoral processes in the region and the increased political participation and representation of women, noting them as prerequisites for democracy. They voiced alarm, however, about terrorism, ongoing violence and the humanitarian situation in the region and joined the briefers in calling for strengthened regional and international cooperation.

The representative of the United Kingdom, while highlighting the role of UNOCA in supporting inclusive and peaceful political processes, stressed it is up to Member States to deliver democratic elections and inclusive transitional processes. Regarding the eruption of violence in October in Chad, she welcomed the launch of an inquiry and urged UNOCA, ECCAS member States and the Chadian Government to ensure transparent and independent investigation. Voicing concern about the ongoing violence in the Central African Republic, she said the targeting of civilians, not only by armed groups, but by national forces and the Russian mercenary group, Wagner, continues to play a destabilizing role in the country.

Gabon’s representative, also speaking for Ghana and Kenya, expressed concern over persistent terrorist attacks by Boko Haram and dissident groups in the Lake Chad Basin and armed groups’ intensifying attacks in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Hoping the ongoing deployment of the East African Community Regional Force will help resolve the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, she called on the international community to support these subregional efforts. She further stressed the importance of boosting cooperation between the States of Central Africa through ECCAS and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as well as between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and UNOCA.

The representative of the United Arab Emirates, in a similar vein, said the joint meetings between special envoys and concerned stakeholders in the region — such as the one held in Nairobi last October — are all important examples of cooperation between regional organizations and the United Nations. Noting that heavy rains, massive floods and desertification continue to impact populations, in addition to increasing tensions and conflicts, she said it is critical to foster the communities’ resilience to climate change, including in the Lake Chad Basin and the Congo Basin.

Mexico’s representative, also underscoring that complex situations require enhanced regional coordination, called for regional organizations to offer greater assistance, particularly regarding the transition in Chad. Delays in that transition will create a dangerous political precedent in the region, he warned, urging the authorities of the transition to respect their obligations. Turning to Cameroon, he underlined a need for a political mobilization towards national reconciliation, noting that a new basis needs to be built for peaceful coexistence of the communities in which the Cameroonian diaspora could play a key role.

China’s representative underscored that the stability of Central Africa is vital for the entire continent, adding that the international community should devote more attention to the region while respecting the sovereignty and ownership of countries in the region. Further, the international community must help regional countries improve their living standards and achieve socioeconomic development, he said, calling for adequate humanitarian financing to help affected countries. China will continue to support Central African countries through means such as debt suspension and development assistance, he said.

Also speaking were representatives of the Russian Federation, Brazil, Albania, Norway, Ireland, United States, France and India.

The meeting began at 3:01 p.m. and ended at 4:40 p.m.

Briefings

ABDOU ABARRY, Special Representative for Central Africa and Head of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), said that, since he took office at the beginning of September, he has seen "the two faces” of Central Africa. It is a land of great challenges, but also of great opportunities, particularly in the area of economic and social development and the building of democracy and the rule of law. Regarding the latter, a review of recent electoral processes in the region shows significant progress despite major challenges. The change of Government in São Tomé and Príncipe and election results, although tight, in Angola are a clear indication that elections are far from being a simple formality in Central Africa. He also welcomed the holding of peaceful elections in the Congo and Equatorial Guinea.

In addition, he pointed to the increased participation and representation of women in institutions and political processes. Due to the incentive measures in Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe, the elections in those countries enabled a greater proportion of women to be represented in parliamentary assemblies and in Government. “The election of women to head national assemblies of those two countries, for the first time in their history, and the appointment of a woman, Esperança da Costa, as Vice-President of Angola, are a new source of pride for this subregion where Rwanda is already a global model,” he said. Other countries, such as Gabon, the host of UNOCA, have made significant efforts in recent years to promote the participation and political representation of women, as well.

Noting the region’s strengthened commitment to fight climate change, he noted that Central Africa is home to the Congo Basin, “one of the two green lungs of the planet”. However, this global ecological heritage can only be preserved with the cooperation of States in the region and assistance from partners. The region is feeling the full effects of climate change, particularly the multiplication of extreme weather events. Moreover, competition for natural resources such as water, land and grazing areas, continues to be one of the causes of intercommunity violence, which is increasing in number and intensity in the region and exploited by armed groups in the region.

Central Africa is facing other challenges linked to governance, human rights and security, he continued. Despite the organization of regular elections, the credibility of some is often questioned by certain actors who contest the legitimacy of the leaders arising from those elections. While contesting such results is often done peacefully, in other cases it has been violent, as seen in São Tomé and Príncipe and Chad. States of the region must further open the political and civic space for the peaceful and orderly expression of opinions and State authorities must ensure full respect for fundamental rights and freedoms and avoid any disproportionate use of force in maintaining public order.

On the security front, he said the subregion continues to host armed and terrorist groups. Thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes, sometimes even their countries of origin, and need humanitarian assistance. In the Lake Chad Basin, extremist groups, despite their weakening, have a high capacity to cause harm. Military pressure against these groups must be maintained in a coordinated manner as part of the Multinational Joint Force. To this end, he welcomed Chad's announcement on strengthening its military presence. He called on partners to provide adequate support to military efforts under way, and to the Regional Strategy for Stabilization, Recovery and Resilience of the Lake Chad Basin Areas Affected by the Boko Haram Crisis, which should address the root causes of the crisis. He also welcomed the cooperation between UNOCA and the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), as well as the actions of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission in favour of a sustainable return of peace in the area.

Turning to Cameroon, he said the situation in the northwest and southwest regions of the country — a pillar of economic integration in Central Africa — continues to threaten its stability. Attacks on civilian targets, including schools, and the spread of violence to other parts of Cameroon is unacceptable and must stop immediately. He welcomed the Cameroonian authorities’ willingness to resolve the crisis peacefully through discussions with the armed groups and the diaspora.

Highlighting continued and significant progress in maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, he called for strengthened national capacity and regional coordination, including as part of the Yaoundé Architecture. The efforts of ECCAS to adopt regional strategies on maritime governance, maritime security and the blue economy will culminate in the first maritime summit in the subregion to be held in January 2023 in Kinshasa. Despite its challenges, the region has many advantages and immense resources. Noting that the average age in the region is around 17.3 years, he said its well-educated and motivated youth will make it possible to rapidly achieve sustainable development. However, if not properly educated or included socioeconomically, then youth can become a factor of instability, he warned.

Underscoring the role of subregional organizations to promote a common view on key issues, he noted ECCAS’ willingness to play a key role in Central Africa as part of the African peace and security architecture. This is evidenced in the quick action projects to support the political transition in Chad and to preserve the political and democratic stability in São Tomé and Príncipe. Noting ECCAS’s cooperation with the United Nations, he recalled his joint visit with the President of the ECCAS Commission, Gilberto da Piedade Veríssimo, to São Tomé following the major events that occurred in the country. In addition, he recently met with colleagues in the Office of the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region and in peacekeeping operations in the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to identify ways and means for united action on the peace, security and governance challenges facing the region.

The year 2023 will see significant political processes in certain Central African countries, he underscored. Noting that the last elections in those countries were marked by violence, he said international assistance and national and regional efforts might be necessary to ensure peaceful electoral processes. Affirming UNOCA’s commitment to its work in supporting States and regional organizations, he said the increased support of the Council politically will be essential in that regard.

GILBERTO DA PIEDADE VERISSIMO, President of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), describing the political and security situation in Central Africa, spotlighted the elections recently held in the Republic of Congo, Angola, São Tomé and Príncipe and Equatorial Guinea. The ECCAS Commission deployed international electoral observation missions to in each of these States to monitor the electoral processes. In Chad, ECCAS closely followed the work of the Inclusive and Sovereign National Dialogue, supported the ongoing transition process and continued consultations with the Chad authorities and other sociopolitical stakeholders. Recalling that ECCAS is working to implement an international fact-finding mission, he invited the United Nations, African Union, Community of Sahel-Saharan States and the Lake Chad Basin Commission to join this initiative.

Turning to the political and security crisis in São Tomé and Príncipe, triggered by the recent presidential and legislative elections in 2021 and 2022, he recalled the recent attack on military barracks that took place on 25 November. The military response resulted in some civilian arrests, including the former Speaker of Parliament, a member of the Central Bank and a former serviceman belonging to the former Buffalo Battalions of the former Defence Forces of South Africa, who were deemed to be behind the attack. The national and international communities were shocked by the dissemination of evidence showing the acts of torture and cruelty against unarmed detainees. Reporting on his meeting with the head of the military staff, BASTA political party and the former President of Parliament, he noted that an international fact-finding mission led by the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, with the support of the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in São Tomé and Príncipe was being operationalized.

He went on to say that the situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains worrisome, as the terrorist movements and armed groups in South Kivu, North Kivu and Ituri continue to defy the initiatives undertaken by the Congolese authorities. The persistent activities of armed groups lay in the heart of diplomatic tensions between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda against the backdrop of reciprocal accusations of supporting these terrorist movements.

Reiterating the support of ECCAS for the Luanda and Nairobi processes, he said that the Commission is exploring ways to send a regional force in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as an observer. The question of insecurity in this region can only be appropriately analysed if the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) is mentioned. Recalling that subregional organizations are seeking to deploy a regional force in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, he said the United Nations should re-evaluate the adequacy of its peace-keeping missions in contemporary crisis theatres. Prior to the establishment of the Commission, the Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa was one of the main frameworks for such cooperation, presented through joint conflict prevention actions in the region.

In this regard, he recalled the cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), International Organization for Migration (IOM), World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). “The challenges of the situations in the Central Africa Republic, the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chad and São Tomé and Príncipe give an opportunity to rethink, re-imagine and recreate unceasingly our cooperation relations to promote peace and lasting security in the Central Africa,” he added.



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