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Thank you, Madam President,
Let me also thank Assistant Secretary-General Pobee for her briefing.
We welcome the recent appointment of Mohamed El Amine Souef as SRSG and Head of UNOCA, and look forward to working with him.
Madam President, allow me to make three points.
First,
Denmark is concerned by the worsening security situation in many parts of Central Africa.
This includes violence in the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon, where attacks have led to significant civilian deaths and displacement.
We are equally concerned by the reported activities of the Lord’s Resistance Army in the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as the spill-over of the conflict in Sudan into Chad, which is driving large-scale displacement and creating acute humanitarian needs.
Terrorist groups also continue to pose a real threat to regional stability, in particular through the use of drones and improvised explosive devices.
However, we underline that any military operations to counter these threats must be conducted in full compliance with international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
Civilians and civilian objects must never be targeted.
Second,
There have been various instances where, opposition voices, civil society actors, journalists, and political critics face increasing intimidation and arrests.
As we have heard, in Chad, the dissolution of an opposition coalition and the detention of political leaders raise concerns.
In Gabon, new legal measures restricting online freedoms and limited political participation risk fear and exclusion.
We encourage all governments in the region to uphold constitutional order, protect civic space, ensure due process and respect for human rights, and create conditions for inclusive political participation.
At the same time, we acknowledge the positive steps, including the conclusion of the political transition in Gabon, and renewed preparations for elections in Sao Tome and Principe.
We also welcome efforts by these countries, as well as Equatorial Guinea, the Central African Republic, Chad and others in the region to advance women, peace and security and implementation of Resolution 1325 (2000).
Third,
The impacts of climate change are acutely felt in the region. Above-average temperatures, erratic rainfall and pressure on water and pasture intensify existing challenges and heighten instability and communal violence.
Denmark, therefore welcomes the launch of the Regional Climate, Peace and Security Strategy for Central Africa which provides a much-needed operational framework for integrating climate-related risks into conflict prevention, early warning and peacebuilding efforts.
We acknowledge the work by UNOCA’s climate security advisor and the Climate Security Mechanism along with the Economic Community of Central African States in developing this strategy.
Furthermore, we welcome and encourage efforts by UNOCA and regional organisations, to strengthen the participation of women mediators and local communities in early warning and climate-sensitive mediation.
Madam President, in closing,
Denmark remains steadfastly committed in our support to the work of UNOCA and we will continue to be working with UNOCA as well as regional and international partners to support peace, protection of civilians, accountable governance, and climate resilience across Central Africa.
I thank you.
