The Head of UNOCA meets with the Chadian PM

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), Mr. Abou Moussa, met with the Chadian Minister of Foreign Affairs and African Integration on 25 February 2014 in N'Djamena after a working session on the eve with the Prime Minister, Mr. Kalzeubé Pahimi Deubet. He expressed his deep concerned about the impact of the deteriorating situation in Central African Republic (CAR) on some countries of the subregion, including Chad, which has just welcomed over 74,000 people fleeing interreligious violence and clashes between “anti- balakas" and "ex-Seleka".

The Special Representative also recalled the primary place of this crisis in the agenda of the United Nations, which spare no effort to find a lasting solution to the issue. Mr. Moussa renewed the availability of the UN to continue to provide support to efforts by regional organizations and international partners to ensure stability in CAR. The Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki -moon, who deplores the "cycle of revenge and retaliation” that bloody the CAR, insists indeed, on the urgency of a strong assistance to the African-led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic (MISCA). Addressing the Security Council on 20 February, he called for logistical and financial support to African troops ($ 38 million for a six-month bridging period) as well as for the mobilization of 3,000 more troops and police to reinforce AU and French contingents now on the ground.

Actions in favor for peace and security in CAR

The Chadian Prime Minister welcomed the visit of the Head of UNOCA and expressed his satisfaction with the actions of the UN Secretary-General for peace and security in CAR. He noted that Chad will continue its commitments there, stressing that it is necessary not only for his country but also for the entire subregion. Mr. Kalzeubé Pahimi Deubet underlined that the Chadian Head of State, also Chairperson of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), monitors carefully the situation, which has resulted in extra budgetary allocations - to cope with social and humanitarian consequences of the crisis. In this context, the Head of the Government sought the strengthening of the assistance of the United Nations, whose support in the implementation of the national policy in the domain of development he salutes.

Mr. Thomas Gurtner, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Chad, who accompanied the Head of UNOCA, recently said that he is "encouraged by the dynamism of the Chadian government with regard to the situation of returnees, without discrimination and age, marital status or nationality in the evacuation as in the assistance.” During a press conference on 29 January, he said 70 % to 80 % of the resources mobilized and used for transport and food come from the Government and the solidarity of citizens. Mr. Gurtner asserted that the first needs for a period of six months for 150 000 people are estimated at $ 32 million (1.6 billion CFA), noting that “15 % to 20 % are covered by the United Nations emergency Appeal Fund”. “200 billion should be added to this amount to cover other aspects of the humanitarian crisis as more than 2 million people need help," he continued, calling for the international community to provide substantial support to Chad.

Before meeting with the Chadian Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Central Africa had, last week, held working sessions with the Minister of Interior and Security as well as with all specialized organizations of the United Nations. After Chad, Mr. Abou Moussa will visit Cameroon, Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo, three other countries of the subregion affected by the Central African crisis.