APRIL 24, 2020 – Speaking before the Security Council, the UN Envoy for Africa’s Great Lakes region on Wednesday called on the international community to support countries in the region in confronting the COVID-19 pandemic and overcoming its consequences.
The coronavirus has not spared the countries of the Great Lakes region, where the number of infections is increasing, albeit at a more moderate pace compared with other parts of the world. As of 22 April, more than 4,766 cases and 131 deaths had been recorded in the region, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
While the various measures adopted by countries in the region appear to have helped contain the spread of COVID-19 so far, its economic repercussions are already being felt, explained Huang Xia, the UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region, during a videoconference briefing with members of the Security Council.
Mr. Xia called on the international community to support these countries so that they can confront the pandemic and overcome its consequences.
According to the Special Envoy, the coronavirus has forced governments in the Great Lakes region to readjust their priorities and has affected the implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework Agreement for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the region.
Mr. Xia nevertheless emphasized that political optimism remains, citing the establishment of a governing coalition in the DRC and the normalization of relations between Uganda and Rwanda.
The UN envoy also welcomed progress in the fight against armed groups in eastern DRC, as well as advances in regional economic integration, including the signing of an agreement between Burundi, the DRC, and Tanzania to build a railway linking the three countries.
Despite these advances, challenges persist due to continued insecurity in eastern DRC, Mr. Xia recalled, urging armed groups to cease their violence and atrocities. As elections approach in Burundi (May) and the Central African Republic (December), the Special Envoy encouraged all stakeholders to ensure peaceful, inclusive, and credible electoral processes.
Five priority actions for the months ahead
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Xia intends to continue carrying out his mandate and engaging with all stakeholders in the region. In cooperation with the other guarantors of the Framework Agreement and international partners, he plans to focus his efforts in the coming months on five priority actions:
- Mobilizing the international community in support of countries in the region to combat the pandemic, which poses an obstacle to the implementation of the Framework Agreement and could have repercussions for peace and security in the region.
- Supporting ongoing facilitation processes and, where possible, generating new commitments to improve relations among countries in the region, including through the more active involvement of women and youth.
- Advancing regional security cooperation through a holistic approach that combines military and non-military measures in the fight against armed groups.
- Engaging in regional and international consultations on the exploitation and illicit trade of natural resources, with a focus on obstacles to their sustainable and transparent management.
- Continuing consultations required for the organization of the next Summit of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the Framework Agreement and the Conference on Investment and Trade in the Great Lakes region.
“The Great Lakes region is currently facing challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the prolonged Ebola outbreak,” Mr. Xia recalled. “We must therefore redouble our efforts to support the States and peoples of the region in overcoming this dual health crisis and to consolidate the progress achieved to date in implementing the Framework Agreement.”
Source: UN NEWS
