I will make four points focused on the Ebola outbreak, climate security, the situation in Cameroon, and the impact of the Sudan conflict.
The UK is deeply concerned about the Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC and neighbouring countries. The conflict in eastern DRC makes the Ebola response harder. We urge all parties and the international community to work together to curb the outbreak.
The United Kingdom has allocated over $26 million in new funding for the World Health Organisation, the UN and other international partners to strengthen disease surveillance, support frontline health workers, improve infection prevention and control, and help affected communities access lifesaving care.
Second, the United Kingdom welcomes the launch of UNOCA’s Climate, Peace and Security Strategy. Climate change continues to compound insecurity and displacement in the Central Africa region.
We welcome UNOCA’s cooperation with ECCAS and the UN Climate Security Mechanism to develop a new strategy for addressing the impact of climate change. We urge swift implementation of the strategy to improve early warning and conflict-sensitive responses.
Third, we encourage greater efforts to address violence and terrorism in the region. The United Kingdom is concerned by continued violence and insecurity in the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon, with civilians continuing to bear the brunt of the conflict.
We welcome UNOCA’s efforts to support dialogue and urge sustained engagement towards a peaceful, Cameroonian-led solution.
We also encourage further regional cooperation to tackle threats from Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the Lake Chad Basin. We note the work of the Multinational Joint Task Force in improving security in Cameroon’s Far-North.
Fourth, as the Secretary-General’s report made clear, the Sudan conflict is having a destabilising impact on the Central Africa region. This includes driving displacement and humanitarian need. We particularly commend Chad’s efforts in hosting refugees fleeing violence.
At the recent international Sudan conference, the UK announced 146 million pounds to support frontline aid workers providing life-saving support to the Sudanese people.
The United Kingdom remains committed to supporting the Central Africa region.