'The situation in Central Africa remains fragile,' says the French UN Rep
Paris, France (PANA) - The Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations on the Security Council, Nicolas de Rivière, said Friday during his speech before the Security Council that the situation in Central Africa, particularly in the Central African Republic (CAR), in the Lake Chad basin and the Gulf of Guinea remains fragile in the face of numerous threats and called on international partners to help this region to face these challenges.
“Central Africa is experiencing a certain amount of progress, but remains a fragile region, facing many political, security, humanitarian and human rights challenges. The highly volatile situation in the Central African Republic is an illustration of this.
"The Peace Agreement is called into question by armed groups, and the pre-electoral period fuels political tensions. The Lake Chad basin faces the persistent threat of Boko Haram, and the Gulf of Guinea remains the epicenter of piracy worldwide, despite the laudable initiatives of the countries of the region," said Nicolas de Rivière.
The French diplomat added that the situation is all the more delicate since the Covid-19 pandemic has not spared the region and that its socio-economic impact is likely to be even greater.
"As several countries prepare to go to the polls, we must be fully aware of the risk of both political and security destabilization posed by such a situation. The support of international partners remains essential to help the countries of Central Africa to stem these threats,” he underlined.
Nicolas de Rivière said that it is necessary to pursue concerted and coherent action, under the aegis of the United Nations.
"We must do more," he argued at the Security Council, reiterating his country's full support for the Secretary-General's call for a global ceasefire and safe and unhindered humanitarian access.
He said that there is no alternative to effectively fight the Covid-19 pandemic.
-0- PANA BM/TBM/KND/VAO 15June2020
