The coronavirus pandemic has compounded increasing economic, social and humanitarian challenges facing States and regional institutions across Central Africa, the regional UN envoy told the Security Council on Friday.
Despite the health crisis, Special Representative Fran莽ois Lounc茅ny Fall underscored that the UN Regional Office for Central Africa () 鈥渞emains operational.鈥�
Noting that the region had recorded its first case of COVID-19 on 6 March 2020, and that to date, all 11 member countries of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) are affected, he maintained that UNOCA continues to support the Community, during this crucial period of its evolution.鈥�
Mr. Fall said that World Health Organization () figures show 21,929 laboratory-confirmed cases and 462 deaths reported for the Central African States as of Thursday.
Economic fallout
Citing ECCAS experts, the UN envoy flagged that a 2.3 per cent contraction in growth this year was forecast throughout Central Africa.
He conveyed that the slowdown in economic activities due to COVID-19 鈥渄eprives States of the resources they need to address the socio-economic impact of the pandemic, with the risk of creating social unrest.鈥�
鈥淎s governments are forced to choose between urgent public health expenditures and other priorities, they risk lacking the resources needed for the smooth functioning of national institutions and the financing of crucial reforms,鈥� detailed Mr. Fall.
To address the pandemic, he elaborated on a four-axes Regional Response Strategy that focuses on preventing its spread; managing cases and limiting the death rate; addressing the socio-economic and security impacts; and responding to cross-border security issues created by the pandemic.听
Other COVID challenges听
Despite the Secretary-General鈥檚 call on 23 March for a global ceasefire, a number of conflicts continued in the subregion, undermining response efforts to COVID-19 challenges, according to the Special Representative.
And while Mr. Fall commended States for their efforts to limit the impact of the pandemic on economic and social rights, he also reminded governments to ensure that law enforcement agents 鈥渁bide by human rights principles and standards鈥� as they 鈥渃arefully and proportionately鈥� apply restrictive measures to stem the virus from spreading. 听
Unabated armed attacks
Meanwhile, terrorist and armed groups have continued to destabilize the subregion.
鈥淚 strongly condemn deliberate attacks on civilians, and the destruction of private property and public infrastructure, including hospitals,鈥� said the UNOCA head, calling for greater international support to implement the Regional Strategy for the Stabilization, Recovery and Resilience of the Boko Haram-affected Areas of the Lake Chad Basin.
Spotlighting that the self-styled Lord's Resistance Army rebel group (LRA), 鈥渃ontinues to kill, loot and abduct civilians and children,鈥� particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, he called on 听regional actors and international partners to finally defeat the militant cult-like organization by strengthening cooperation and mobilizing resources within the UN regional strategy framework.
He also informed the 15-member Council that the impact of climate change on peace and security in Central Africa remains 鈥渁 major priority鈥� in preventing conflicts and sustaining peace as does the mounting threat of maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea, which he called 鈥渁 top priority on our agenda.鈥�
Good governance
The Special Representative stated that Central African States have increased efforts to 鈥渋mprove good governance and respond to challenging internal situations that threaten their stability.鈥�
鈥淚n several countries, legal proceedings were instituted against prominent personalities over allegations of embezzlement of public resources,鈥� he asserted, noting that other positive actions had been taken in Cameroon and Sao Tome and Principe.
Mr. Fall reiterated that Central Africa continues to face many challenges that area being amplified by COVID-19 鈥渢o an extent that we cannot yet accurately assess.鈥�
鈥淭he individual and collective measures taken by the countries of the subregion to contain the pandemic and meet the other challenges facing them are encouraging and deserve the support of the international community,鈥� he concluded.
