76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
Statement by DPR Andre Lipand at UN Security Council meeting on UNOCA
December 15, New York
I thank Special Representative Fall for his comprehensive briefing. Estonia welcomes the efforts of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) and countries across the Central African region towards establishing peace, security and stability in the region.
The region continues to confront several challenges at the political, economic and security level. We note there is a need for consolidation of democracy. In this connection, we encourage Chad to continue peaceful and civilian-led transition to democratic processes. We also underline the important role of further prioritising peaceful, inclusive and credible electoral processes that would contribute to a greater representation of women in public life.
We remain concerned over the lack of improvement in the security situation this year. The number of incidents in Cameroon and Chad, the increased use of improvised explosive devices and attacks against civilians remain serious threat to the stability of the region. The targeted attacks against schools and schoolchildren, as well as the United Nations personnel and humanitarian workers, is particularly alarming. This also applies in the Central African Republic where Estonia strongly condemns these attacks and any hampering of MINUSCA mandate delivery in the country. The role of Wagner group has been particularly destabilizing. In this regard, we call on the countries of the region to address the accountability for these human rights violations and abuses, and make further progress in fight against impunity.
We firmly believe that the greater cooperation and regional integration is vital to peace and development. Therefore, we underscore the continued improvements of the bilateral and regional cooperation between the countries of the region in support of the peace process. The cooperation is even more indispensable at the time of the Covid pandemic, as well as in addressing the effects of the climate change that pose a serious threat to international peace and security, and have magnified already complex consequences to the humanitarian situation.
I would like to conclude by commending continued efforts of the Special Representative in collaboration with the United Nations entities, key actors of the region and other international partners in facilitating efforts towards durable peace and stability in the region.
Thank you!