Thank you, Madam President. And thank you, SRSG Abarry and ECCAS President Da Piedade Verissimo, for your report and observations on the challenges in the Central African region. We commend your efforts to promote long-term peace and stability in Central Africa.
I would like to make several key points today. First, as the SRSG’s report makes clear, there is a continued need for regional economic, political, and security cooperation. We recognize UNOCA’s key role in utilizing diplomatic solutions to achieve regional peace and security. This includes the SRSG’s engagements across the region, including with UNOWAS’s leadership, on cross-border economic, political, and security issues.
Stronger partnerships for mutual prosperity will also lead to greater peace and stability in Central Africa. The United States recognizes the potential in this region, and we see Africa as an equal and capable commercial partner.
In that vein, we congratulate Gabon for its successful and credible transition of power during its presidential election.
With the Central African Republic set to hold its first local elections in nearly four decades this August, followed by presidential elections in December, we strongly urge the government, opposition, and all stakeholders to engage in good faith and prioritize a peaceful, transparent, and inclusive political process. These elections represent a pivotal opportunity to strengthen governance and local representation. Their success hinges on a collective commitment to dialogue, stability, and the will of the people.
In the Lake Chad region, the United States condemns the violence and disregard for human life perpetrated by Boko Haram and other terrorist groups that attack and displace civilians. We condemn the recent spate of attacks in the Far North that have claimed the lives of Cameroonian civilians and soldiers.
It is clear that terrorist groups remain a threat, and we encourage the region to continue coordinating its counterterrorism efforts. The region needs all members of the Multinational Joint Task Force to remain engaged in the fight against Boko Haram.
As the United States has stated, we encourage African partners to take a stronger lead on their own security challenges; we champion your work to counter these threats.
The United States remains deeply concerned about the ongoing impact of Sudan crisis on Chad; Central African Republic; other neighboring states. We commend these countries for their generosity hosting hundreds thousands refugees despite immense resource constraints; call warring parties Sudan end violence immediately allow humanitarian access those need safe passage civilians fleeing violence.
We are similarly concerned about rapid escalation armed political conflict between South Sudan leaders; by all accounts country brink civil war again; another civil war South Sudan not only imperil lives livelihoods South Sudanese but potentially catastrophic outcomes region.
Thank you Madam President.