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STORY: UN / CENTRAL AFRICAN REGION
TRT: 03:00
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: FRENCH / ENGLISH / RUSSIAN / NATS
DATELINE: 09 JUNE 2025, NEW YORK CITY / FILE
FILE - NEW YORK CITY
1. Wide shot, United Nations Headquarters
09 JUNE 2025, NEW YORK CITY
2. Wide shot, Security Council
3. UPSOUND (French) Abdou Abarry, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Central Africa and Head of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa:
“The inaction of the international community raises risks of exacerbating the humanitarian situation and the persistence of the conflict in Sudan continues to result in more and more refugees heading in the direction of Chad and under the UN system. And through this framework, the UN system in Chad is endeavoring, through the so-called UN offers, attempting to provide additional emergency humanitarian assistance and integrated stabilization programs that is reflective to meet the need of various localities.”
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Gilberto da Piedade Veríssimo, President of the Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS):
“The diplomatic and security crisis between the DRC and the Republic of Rwanda is a major security threat for the region and has the potential to spill over into a regional crisis. But in addition to the security crisis, Central Africa is also facing a complex humanitarian crisis, which continues to worsen, with some 13 million people who had been forcibly displaced, Central Africa is one of the regions of the world which has been most impacted by humanitarian crises. This crisis is due primarily to insecurity in some member states, particularly those to the east of the DRC as well as a result of the conflict in neighboring Sudan, which has been worsened due to the negative impact of climate change.”
5. Wide shot, Security Council
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew Curiel, Deputy Political Counselor, United States:
“Partnerships for mutual prosperity will also lead to greater peace and stability in Central Africa. The United States recognizes the potential in this region, and we see Africa as an equal and capable commercial partner. In that vein, we congratulate Gabon for its successful, incredible transition of power during its presidential election. With the Central African Republic set to hold its first local elections in nearly four decades this August, followed by presidential elections in December, we strongly urge the Government opposition and all stakeholders to engage in good faith and prioritize a peaceful, transparent and inclusive political process.”
7. Wide shot, Security Council
8. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Anna Evstigneeva, Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Russian Federation:
“We join the Secretary-General’s call to reform international financial institutions and restructure the external debt of African states. This would allow them to free up national resources currently used to service international loans and redirect them toward the development of their economies and social systems.”
9. Wide shot, end of the 9931st Security Council meeting
“The inaction of the international community raises risks of exacerbating the humanitarian situation,” said Abdou Abarry, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Central Africa and head of the UN Regional Office (UNOCA).
Briefing the Security Council today (09 Jun), Abarry noted that the ongoing conflict in Sudan is pushing more refugees into Chad. “The UN system in Chad is endeavoring, through the so-called UN offers, attempting to provide additional emergency humanitarian assistance and integrated stabilization programs that is reflective to meet the need of various localities,” he said.
Abarry highlighted progress accomplished in the past months, including in Chad, which concluded its political transition, and in Gabon, where progress towards full restoration of the constitutional order was achieved.
But, against this backdrop, he also highlighted the impact of budgetary constraints on humanitarian operations, notably in Chad, where the 2025 humanitarian response plan is currently funded at only 9.3 per cent, compared with 19.5 per cent at the same time last year.
Turning to the work of his office, Abarry said the current financial situation is impacting his office and forcing him and his team to rethink their plans and working methods – in a context where several electoral processes are planned in the region this year and in 2026.
Abarry said the countries of the region are resolutely committed to the principles and values of the United Nations, as well as to the Pact for the Future. He called on Security Council members for their continued support, particularly at this critical time.
Gilberto da Piedade Veríssimo, President of the Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), underscored that tensions between the DRC and Rwanda represent a “major security threat” with potential to spiral into a broader regional conflict. “But in addition to the security crisis,” Veríssimo added, “Central Africa is also facing a complex humanitarian crisis, which continues to worsen, with some 13 million people who had been forcibly displaced.” He attributed the crisis to insecurity in eastern DRC and spillover from the war in Sudan, compounded by the “negative impact of climate change.”
The United States called for stronger partnerships to promote development and peace. “Partnerships for mutual prosperity will also lead to greater peace and stability in Central Africa,” said Andrew Curiel, Deputy Political Counselor for the U.S. Mission. He praised Gabon’s recent transition of power and looked ahead to upcoming elections in the Central African Republic.
Russia’s Deputy Permanent Representative Anna Evstigneeva echoed the need for systemic change, particularly in financial mechanisms. “We join the Secretary-General’s call to reform international financial institutions and restructure the external debt of African states,” she said.
