On Tuesday 9 June, the Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, Martha Pobee, presented to the Security Council the 30th report of the UN Secretary-General on the situation in Central Africa and the activities of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA). The report highlights a mixed geopolitical situation characterised by political and democratic progress in some countries and persistent conflicts in others.
Over the past six months, in several Central African countries, institutional reforms have continued, dialogue platforms have been organised and electoral processes have been launched. These advances do not, however, obscure the curtailment of political and individual freedoms and the resulting deterioration in the humanitarian situation caused by cross-border conflicts, fuelled in particular by the resurgence of armed groups. This is evidenced by the massive influx of displaced people following the crisis in Sudan, which is exacerbating an already severe humanitarian crisis. The war in Sudan, now in its fourth year, has already driven 1,200,000 people into Chad, a country grappling with its own internal economic and social challenges. Central Africa must also contend with a multitude of groups linked to the jihadist terrorist organisation Boko Haram, whose activities continue along the borders with attacks targeting civilians, particularly in Cameroon and Chad.
The United Nations is increasingly concerned about the “worrying trend of growing restrictions on civil and political rights observed in several parts of Central Africa”. Martha Pobee noted during her presentation that civic space is shrinking. Political tensions are reigniting with the conviction of political figures, a lack of confidence in electoral processes and, increasingly, restrictions on freedom of expression, marked primarily by the suspension or even banning of access to social media and the internet. This narrowing of political space and democratic life in some countries of the sub-region is a cause for concern as it is likely to lead to the emergence of new hotspots of tension, given that dialogue has broken down.
The Secretary-General’s report notes with satisfaction the commitment and current dynamism of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), led by a new leadership team, which has recently adopted a strategic plan for the period 2026–2030. The United Nations recalls that Central Africa faces several challenges. New shocks are undermining peace and security. In recent weeks, the Ebola virus in eastern DRC has compounded the multiple conflicts around Lake Chad and in Sudan. These regional crises call for coordinated responses from all political, diplomatic and humanitarian actors.
