YouSaid · the spoken record

François Louncény Fall

lines on the record: 34
first: 2020-06-12
most recent: 2020-12-09
sittings or episodes: 2
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“I will also continue to hold regular consultations with my colleagues from the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region, the United Nations Office to the African Union, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as United Nations Resident Coordinators and regional offices, to address interregional challenges. All these coordination efforts are intended to improve our understanding of challenges in our areas of responsibilities and to better support the affected countries in addressing them.”
2020-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1188 (2020) · source
“Similarly, the Lord’s Resistance Army is currently present in both Central Africa and the Great Lakes region, two regions to which several countries under UNOCA’s purview belong. Addressing these threats requires coordination among all affected regions and among the relevant United Nations regional offices. On 23 November, S/2020/1188 Special Representative of the Secretary-General Chambas and I agreed on a set of joint activities that our offices would undertake with regard to the situations in the Lake Chad region and the Gulf of Guinea, as well as support to the implementation of the Lomé declaration adopted at the 2018 joint summit of ECCAS and the Economic Community of West African States on peace, security, stability and the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.”
2020-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1188 (2020) · source
“According to the Government, 66 people were arrested following that incident, while the authorities also imposed a curfew in the area. I reiterate the Secretary-General’s appeal to Governments and local communities in Central Africa to continue to work together to address the common challenges of transhumance. I also reaffirm UNOCA’s commitment to continuing to support ECCAS and its member States for the adoption of a subregional regulatory framework on pastoralism and transhumance. To conclude, I would like to emphasize that these threats to peace and security in Central Africa also affect other regions, especially West Africa and the Great Lakes. That is the case of the instability in the Lake Chad basin that I mentioned.”
2020-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1188 (2020) · source
“My colleague, Special Representative of the Secretary-General Mohamed Ibn Chambas of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel, and I agreed to intensify our commitment to interregional cooperation and coordination on maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, which is one of the main common priorities of our two offices. At its fiftieth Ministerial Meeting, UNSAC recommended the holding of a regional conference on maritime security in Central Africa. Transhumance and conflicts between farmers and herders have continued in Central Africa, as evidenced by recent security incidents in the subregion. On 27 November, the Government of Chad reported that 22 people had been killed and 34 injured in clashes between farmers and herders on the night of 23-24 November in the province of Mayo-Kebbi East.”
2020-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1188 (2020) · source
“In the Gulf of Guinea, maritime organized crime continued to increase, particularly drug trafficking, trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants. While welcoming the individual measures and bilateral cooperation initiatives taken by several States in the region to address maritime insecurity, I would like to stress that responses to threats to the security of both States and individuals in the Gulf of Guinea will be effective only if they are coordinated between Central and West Africa through existing mechanisms, such as the Interregional Coordination Centre for Maritime Safety and Security in the Gulf of Guinea, the Regional Coordination Centre for Maritime Security in Central Africa and the Regional Centre for Maritime Security in West Africa.”
2020-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1188 (2020) · source
“I would once again like to appeal to the generosity of the members of the Security Council and other partners to provide the resources necessary for the rapid implementation of the regional Strategy so that the populations of the Lake Chad basin can benefit from the peace dividend, which in turn will strengthen their resilience to radicalization and violent extremism. The proximity and similarities between the situations in the Lake Chad basin and the Sahel justify our joint monitoring and analysis and our coordinated response to the challenges there. More concretely, we need to establish links between the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel and the regional Strategy for the Lake Chad basin in order to avoid duplication, rationalize the use of resources and ensure that the two strategies are mutually reinforcing.”
2020-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1188 (2020) · source
“Terrorist groups have continued to intensify their attacks in Cameroon and Chad and to refine their modus operandi, as demonstrated by a recent attack on the night of 24-25 November, in which four Chadian soldiers were killed and about 16 others injured after their boat S/2020/1188 reportedly struck an improvised explosive device in the Ngouboua area on Lake Chad. The need to address the crisis in the Lake Chad basin in a comprehensive manner, including through the Regional Stabilization, Recovery and Resilience Strategy for Areas Affected by Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin Region, cannot be overemphasized. Despite the difficulties caused by COVID-19, the Strategy’s regional action plan has been finalized and the eight most affected territories are now in the process of developing their territorial action plans.”
2020-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1188 (2020) · source
“In that regard, I would like to call on all actors to remain committed to constructive dialogue to end the crisis in both regions and build sustainable peace and development. I note the commitment of the national authorities to taking forward the implementation of the presidential plan for the reconstruction and development of the two regions, which will be further consolidated through such dialogue and the cessation of hostilities. I am particularly concerned that Boko Haram continues to be a serious threat in the Lake Chad basin with the increase in attacks and kidnappings, inter alia.”
2020-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1188 (2020) · source
“Insecurity throughout Central Africa has continued to be a source of concern, including where it has a cross-border dimension, particularly in the Lake Chad basin and the Gulf of Guinea, and with regard to the internal situation in some countries. During my last visit to Cameroon in November, I noted with great concern the continuing violence in the Far-North, North-West and South-West regions. I deplore the fact that the violence in the North-West and South-West regions is now targeting civilians, including pupils and teachers, as well as religious leaders. During my visit, I reiterated the Secretary-General’s call on all parties concerned to renounce violence, silence the weapons and stop attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, such as schools.”
2020-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1188 (2020) · source
“As election preparations continue in the months ahead, I would like to encourage the national authorities and all political stakeholders to promote continued dialogue and consensus on the conditions governing the elections, using political dialogue frameworks where they are in place, as is the case, for instance, in Chad and the Republic of the Congo, or through ad hoc arrangements. To be effective, such dialogue initiatives should be inclusive in terms of both participation and the issues discussed. I will continue to offer the good offices of the Secretary-General, wherever required, to encourage inclusive and meaningful political dialogue in the countries preparing for elections.”
2020-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1188 (2020) · source
“In the Republic of the Congo, political consultations to discuss preparations for the 2021 presidential election took place on 25 and 26 November, with the participation of opposition parties. In Chad, following the recommendations of the second national inclusive forum, convened by the authorities from 29 October to 1 November, on 3 December amendments to the Constitution were voted on. The amendments included the creation of the position of Vice-President, the re- establishment of a Senate and a court of auditors as well as the reduction of the minimum age from 45 to 40 years to stand as a candidate in a presidential election.”
2020-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1188 (2020) · source
“The Committee reviewed the regional peace and security situation, discussed the situation in the Central African Republic and held a debate on the impact of the coronavirus disease on peace and security and on peaceful electoral processes in Central Africa. The Committee adopted declarations on the two latter issues, stressing the need to reinforce regional cooperation in addressing them. Several countries of the subregion have been preparing for the holding of elections, including Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Republic of the Congo and Sao Tome and Principe. On 6 December, Cameroon successfully held its first-ever regional elections aimed at finalizing the decentralization process in the country, including the implementation of a special status for the North-West and South-West regions.”
2020-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1188 (2020) · source
“Ahead of the summit, UNOCA has been engaging with the new Commission to identify joint priorities for the years ahead, notably on conflict prevention and regional integration, and enhance coordination among international partners for the implementation of the 2021-2025 Indicative Strategic Plan.While the reformed ECCAS institutions are gradually becoming operational, the United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa (UNSAC) remains a relevant forum, where the countries of Central Africa discuss and make recommendations aimed at addressing regional peace and security challenges. The fiftieth UNSAC Ministerial Meeting took place virtually on 4 December.”
2020-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1188 (2020) · source
“I was therefore pleased to witness such commitment at the eighteenth ordinary summit of ECCAS, held in Libreville on 27 November, which adopted the ECCAS Indicative Strategic Plan for 2021-2025 and the Priority Action Plan for 2021 and decided to appoint a mediator and deploy an election observation mission for the upcoming presidential and legislative elections in the Central African Republic.”
2020-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1188 (2020) · source
“I am pleased to report that the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) has reached a key milestone in its institutional reform process, with the swearing-in of its new Commission on 1 September, including its President, Ambassador Gilberto da Piedade Veríssimo, its Vice-President and five Commissioners. The convening of two ordinary summits of Heads of State and Government is further evidence that regional leaders are determined to enhance regional integration and address peace and security issues in Central Africa.”
2020-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1188 (2020) · source
“I also appeal to international financial institutions to continue to facilitate the release of emergency assistance for all COVID-19- affected countries in Central Africa. Notwithstanding this particular context, which impacted the smooth implementation of UNOCA’s mandate, I was able to engage with key United Nations, national and international partners in the subregion on various issues, including during my recent visits to Cameroon and the Republic of the Congo. On 1 December, I convened a meeting of the Heads of United Nations presences in Central Africa, during which we agreed, among other things, to strengthen coordination in supporting regional efforts to address the impact of climate change, prevent election-related violence and fight against hate speech.”
2020-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1188 (2020) · source
“The trends across Central Africa clearly indicate that the early measures enforced by the Governments of the subregion to contain and reduce the spread of the pandemic have proved effective. However, that effectiveness comes at a high socioeconomic cost, as the economic slowdown triggered by the pandemic and the different restrictive measures have further depleted the already limited capacity of States to provide basic social services to their populations. I would like to encourage bilateral and multilateral partners to provide their support to all countries in the subregion to help them continue to fight the pandemic and address its economic, sociopolitical and security impacts.”
2020-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1188 (2020) · source
“It is a pleasure to brief the Security Council today on the situation in Central Africa and the activities of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) remotely for the second time this year due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The pandemic seems generally under control in the subregion, with only 13,470 active cases as of 7 December among a total of 88,422 cases and 1,614 deaths officially reported since the beginning of the pandemic. However, the number of infections in some countries has been increasing again in recent days, thereby delaying the lifting of some of the restrictions imposed to counter the evolution of the pandemic.”
2020-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1188 (2020) · source
“I also welcome the efforts of Sao Tome and Principe to achieve consensual judicial reform aimed at ensuring the independence of the judiciary, fighting corruption and protecting the country from institutional instability. The United Nations supports the Government in that process, and I do maintain close contact with relevant stakeholders. As is evident, Central Africa continues to face many challenges. We cannot yet accurately assess to what extent COVID-19 will exacerbate those challenges. However, the individual and collective measures taken by the countries of the subregion to contain the pandemic and meet the other challenges they face are encouraging and deserve the support of the international community.”
2020-06-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/542 (2020) · source
“I had the opportunity to discuss these issues with President Paul Biya during the audience he granted me in Yaoundé on 13 May. I am concerned about the ongoing obstacles to humanitarian access in the two regions and urge the Government and the humanitarian community to improve their coordination and cooperation in order to facilitate the delivery of much-needed assistance to the populations affected by the crisis. In the Congo, I urge the authorities to take the necessary measures to build confidence in the dialogue platforms provided for by the Constitution, including the Conseil National du Dialogue, and invite other stakeholders to also participate in that platform in good faith.”
2020-06-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/542 (2020) · source
“Additional steps taken in the implementation of the recommendations of the Major National Dialogue, held from 30 September to 4 October 2019, are included in the Secretary-General’s most recent report (S/2020/463), now before the Council. The launch on 3 April of a presidential programme for the reconstruction and development of the North-West and South-West regions is another significant step forward that should be consolidated through ongoing dialogue and the cessation of hostilities. I encourage the Committee to Follow up the Implementation of the Recommendations of the Major National Dialogue to continue to promote dialogue, including among the parties to the conflict, in order to ensure the protection of civilians and human rights and to create conditions for the reconstruction and development of the two regions.”
2020-06-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/542 (2020) · source
“This new development demonstrates the Government’s commitment to bringing to justice those responsible for the killing of civilians in Ngarbuh in February. In another development, on 8 June the Cameroon Network of Human Rights Organizations recommended that the Government set up an independent commission of inquiry into the death of journalist Samuel Ajiekah Abuwe, also known as Samuel Wazizi, calling for one similar to “the one that brilliantly operated following the tragic events of Ngarbuh in the North-West region”. Several other national and international non-governmental organizations have made similar calls.”
2020-06-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/542 (2020) · source
“In addition to attending to the above-mentioned regional challenges, the Central African States have also made efforts to improve good governance and respond to challenging internal situations that threaten their stability. In several countries, legal proceedings have been filed against prominent personalities over allegations of embezzlement of public resources. I would like to reaffirm UNOCA’s support for the fight against corruption in Central Africa and urge States to ensure a fair trial for the accused. In Cameroon, following the release of the Government’s investigations into the Ngarbuh attack, the army announced yesterday that three military officers were charged with murder and remanded in custody at the Yaoundé military prison.”
2020-06-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/542 (2020) · source
“The mounting threat of maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea, where an increasing number of acts of piracy has been recorded in recent months, is also a top priority on our agenda. The fourth annual meeting of the senior officials of the Economic Community of West African States, ECCAS and the Gulf of Guinea Commission, in charge of the Interregional Coordination Centre for Maritime Safety and Security in the Gulf of Guinea, originally scheduled for 27 March, had to be postponed due to coronavirus-related restrictions. The meeting will provide an opportunity for strengthening regional coordination and cooperation, including through the Centre, which should be provided with the necessary capacity and means for its functioning and the implementation of its programmes.”
2020-06-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/542 (2020) · source
“I therefore call on regional actors, including the African Union and ECCAS, as well as international partners, to strengthen their cooperation and mobilize the resources necessary to defeat the LRA, within the framework of the United Nations Regional Strategy to Address the Threat and Impact of the Activities of the Lord’s Resistance Army. The pressing question of the impact of climate change on peace and security in Central Africa remains a major priority in our efforts to prevent conflict and sustain peace in this subregion. UNOCA has taken steps to better understand that impact in order to systematically improve its analysis and conflict prevention activities and to develop partnerships in that regard.”
2020-06-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/542 (2020) · source
“I would therefore like to call for greater international support for the implementation of the Regional Stabilization, Recovery and Resilience Strategy for Areas Affected by Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin Region. The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), although weakened, continues to kill and loot and to abduct civilians and children. During the reporting period, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was particularly affected. The fight against the LRA must be pursued to ensure that the gains made are not undermined.”
2020-06-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/542 (2020) · source
“I welcome the mobilization of the armies of Cameroon and Chad, including within the framework of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), to fight terrorism in the Lake Chad basin. Operation Wrath of Boma, launched by the Chadian army between late March and early April, seems to have considerably weakened Boko Haram. However, experience has shown that the countries of the region will be able to eradicate the group only through a well-coordinated strategy combining both military and non- military approaches, through the strengthening of the MNJTF and through initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of the crisis, respectively.”
2020-06-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/542 (2020) · source
“In some instances, restrictive measures have been adopted by Governments to prevent the spread of the virus that were perceived as affecting the exercise of certain fundamental freedoms. While acknowledging the need for such measures, it is also important for Governments to ensure that law-enforcement agents apply them carefully and proportionately and continue to abide by human rights principles and standards. Unfortunately, in these trying times for the Governments and the peoples of Central Africa, terrorist and armed groups have continued to destabilize the subregion. I strongly condemn deliberate attacks on civilians and the destruction of private property and public infrastructure, including hospitals.”
2020-06-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/542 (2020) · source
“The persistence of armed conflicts in some parts of Central Africa undermines our efforts to respond to the challenges posed by COVID-19. A number of conflicts in the subregion continue despite the call launched by the Secretary-General on 23 March for a global ceasefire. As far as human rights are concerned, I commend States for their efforts to limit the impact of the pandemic on economic and social rights, including by adopting financial measures to preserve employment and providing assistance to businesses and the most vulnerable segments of their populations. I also welcome the measures taken by some States in favour of prisoners, thus responding to the appeal by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for the decongestion of prisons in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in detention centres.”
2020-06-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/542 (2020) · source
“I also held two successive virtual meetings with the United Nations Resident Coordinators in the subregion recently to ensure the proper coordination of their efforts at the country level with regional initiatives, notably those taken by ECCAS. In addition, UNOCA has maintained regular contact with United Nations missions and regional offices, including the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Office of the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region and the Office of the Special Envoy for Burundi to promote coherence in United Nations efforts to promote peace and security in Central Africa.”
2020-06-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/542 (2020) · source
“The four axes include, first, preventing the spread of the virus; secondly, limiting the death rate and managing positive cases; thirdly, addressing the socioeconomic and security impact of COVID-19; and, fourthly, responding to the cross-border security issues created by the pandemic. An extraordinary summit of Heads of State and Government is expected to be held in July via video-teleconference. UNOCA remains operational despite the pandemic and continues to mobilize the relevant United Nations entities to support the subregional organization during this crucial period of its evolution. To that end, a UNOCA-ECCAS working group has been set up.”
2020-06-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/542 (2020) · source
“They ensure the continuity of certain crucial activities. Thus, following the adoption in December 2019 of an ambitious reform aimed at strengthening its effectiveness and modernizing its structures, ECCAS is currently setting up its new structures. The extraordinary ministerial meeting held on 3 and 4 June provided an opportunity to discuss the progress made in the implementation of the institutional reform as well as the situation in the Central African Republic and regional efforts to counter COVID-19. The meeting adopted the four axes of a regional response strategy to combat COVID-19 and its implications in Central Africa.”
2020-06-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/542 (2020) · source
“According to projections made by ECCAS experts, a 2.3 per cent contraction in growth is to be expected in Central Africa owing to the pandemic. This situation disproportionately affects the subregion of Central Africa, where many countries are oil producers. The slowdown in economic activities due to COVID-19 deprives States of the resources that they need to address the socioeconomic impact of the pandemic, with the risk of creating social unrest. As 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. I am pleased to note, however, that Central Africa’s Governments and regional institutions have been able to adapt to the new crisis context.”
2020-06-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/542 (2020) · source
“I would like to thank the Council for this opportunity to brief it by video- teleconference on the situation in Central Africa and the activities of the United Nations Office for Central Africa (UNOCA). This meeting is being held against the backdrop of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which has disrupted the lives of citizens as well as the functioning of States and regional institutions in Central Africa. The subregion recorded its first case of COVID-19 on 6 March. To date, all 11 countries members of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) have been affected. As of 11 June, a total of 21,929 laboratory-confirmed cases and 462 deaths had been reported, according to the World Health Organization. A major consequence of the pandemic is the economic crisis.”
2020-06-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/542 (2020) · source