The first meeting of Representatives and Special Envoys of the Secretary-General in Central Africa initiated by UNOCA ended Thursday, December 1 in Luanda (Angola), after two days of work. The participants, who have decided to meet each year and on a rotating basis in different countries of the sub-region, include: Mr. Abdou Abarry, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Central Africa and Head of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), Ms. Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); Mrs. Valentine Rugwabiza, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Central African Republic and Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and Mr. Huang Xia, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes region. They discussed the political and security dynamics as well as the opportunities and potentialities of the sub-region.
The meeting allowed for in-depth reflection on the paths to follow for a coherent and concerted response by the United Nations to common challenges. At the end of the discussions, several points of convergence for better coordination were identified, including the need for regional entities to support MINUSCA and MONUSCO in the mobilization of regional actors and key (sub-)regional organizations. In this chapter, participants highlighted the importance of supporting joint bilateral and trilateral commissions on cross-border issues.
In addition, priority areas of intervention were explored. The creation of a synergy around the themes “Women, peace and security”, “Youth, peace and security” and on the issue of natural resources is one of them. It can be articulated within the framework of the realization of common projects and the mobilization of the actors concerned.
Countering hate speech and disinformation
In addition, senior UN officials have also advocated, among other things, for national and regional legislation on hate speech and disinformation. In this regard, they mentioned the need to capitalize on the draft regional strategy and action plan for the prevention and fight against hate speech in Central Africa adopted on June 24, 2022 in Kinshasa, highlighting its political dimensions. .
The recommendations take into account all the issues related to peace and security in Central Africa. Emphasis was placed on strengthening the role of (sub)regional organizations and UN country teams (agencies, funds and programmes) in addressing the links between peace, humanitarian development and climate change. The participants agreed to organize a meeting with the concerned partners during the first quarter of 2023 in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia). These partners include the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (CIGLR), the Community of East African States (EAC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), etc.
The Luanda meeting is in line with UNOCA’s mandate on the need to strengthen “coherence and coordination of the activities carried out by United Nations entities in the sub-region in favor of peace and security”. It was organized with the support of the United Nations System in Angola, under the leadership of Ms. Zahira Virani, Resident Coordinator. The opening ceremony (November 30) was honored by the presence of the Angolan Minister of External Relations, Mr. Téte António. The latter also granted, on the same day, an audience to all the representatives and special envoys of the UN Secretary General who took part in this event. All were also received on December 1 by President João Lourenço.
Source: UN Regional Office for Central Africa