Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the United Nations Saša Jurečko at the briefing on the Central African region

Thank you Madam President,

I would like to thank Special Representative Abarry for his comprehensive briefing today. We also thank Ms. Nlate for her testimony.

Slovenia welcomes the adoption of the Presidential Statement on UNOCA last month. Together with the extension of UNOCA’s mandate for additional three years, the Security Council was able to show its strong backing to the important work of the Office in promoting peace and security in the sub-region.

Madam President, in my remarks today, I would like to briefly touch upon three issues facing central Africa.  

First, we take note of the political developments in the sub-region. We welcome the orderly conclusion of the constitutional referendum in Gabon in November, which marks an important milestone in the country’s transition towards constitutional order.

We also take note of the announcement of legislative, provincial and municipal elections scheduled to take place later this month in Chad.

As several countries of the sub-region enter into an intense pre-election period, we share SRSG Abarry’s assessment of the importance of integrity of electoral processes and protection of human rights. Arbitrary arrests and detentions of members of opposition parties, journalists, human rights activists and community leaders must end.

In order for elections to bring stability, they need to take part in an inclusive and free political space with the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women, as well as the inclusion of youth and marginalised groups. We encourage all countries of the region to continue making use of UNOCA’s good offices and expertise in support of their electoral processes.

Second, we remain concerned of the security situation in some parts of the sub-region.

In regard to the persisting violence in North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon, we urge the government of Cameroon and the warring parties to silence their guns, to denounce violence and engage in genuine political dialogue to resolve long-standing grievances and address pressing humanitarian needs.

Slovenia strongly condemns all violations of the international humanitarian law and all violations and abuses of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the country. Especially concerning is the continuous denial of the basic right to education, which is severely impacted by enforced school closures.

Cameroon’s endorsement of the Safe Schools Declaration commits the government to do its utmost to see that places of education are places of safety. We urge all parties to protect schools, teachers and students and allow them to continue to learn and secure their future.

The reports on surrenders and arrests of the elements of Boko Haram affiliated and splinter groups in the Lake Chad Basin are a welcome development.

Nevertheless, regional security cooperation arrangements are essential and must be preserved. There is a sense of urgency to build trust in the region and we call upon all countries affected by the crisis to continue their cooperation through the Multinational Joint Task Force.

Regional arrangements – stemming from years of mutually beneficial cooperation, exchange of information and intelligence and building early warning systems to keep pressure on Boko Haram and other militant groups are irreplaceable at a time of a persisting terrorist threat.

Finally, prolonged droughts in the past years and recent floods across the sub-region serve as a stark reminder of how climate-induced disasters continue to present one of the underlying multipliers of insecurity and instability in the central African region, exacerbating food insecurity and degrading livelihoods.

Testimonies of the communities on the ground speak volumes to the fact of how the lack of access to water influences the increasingly fatal farmer-herder conflicts. As the fields of maize, rice and wheat end up devastated after erratic rains, local insecurities present a breeding ground for recruitment of at-risk and marginalized youth.

We encourage UNOCA to continue its work together with UNOWAS, ECCAS, other regional organisations and the wider international community on the Climate, Peace and Security agenda.

Madam President, to conclude, Slovenia would like to express our sincere appreciation to SRSG Abarry and his team for their efforts and offer our full support to UNOCA and its mandate.

I thank you.

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