Despite being endowed with rich natural resources and immense potential, Central Africa continues to grapple with severe threats that hinder development and peace, ranging from deep-rooted political instability to a worsening humanitarian crisis.
In a recent briefing to the United Nations Security Council, Abdou Abarry, Head of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), laid bare the reality confronting the region. He warned that while some gains have been made, violent conflict and political fragility still dominate the landscape.
“Central Africa remains rich in potential, but the challenges are still significant,” Mr. Abarry told the Council, stressing the need for a stronger commitment to long-term peacebuilding.
Some countries, such as Chad and Gabon, have made modest strides on the political front. In both nations, recent electoral processes have opened new doors for civic engagement, especially for women.
Chad’s National Assembly now boasts 34 per cent female representation, a sign of the country’s evolving political framework. Similarly, Gabon has instituted legal reforms requiring that “women must account for at least 30 per cent of electoral lists provided to voters.”
These reforms, however, must now translate into broader democratic gains. Mr. Abarry urged the newly elected authorities to “capitalise on this momentum to implement key democratic reforms.”
However, the region’s progress is marred by a surge in political misinformation and ethnic tensions. In Cameroon, online disinformation and hate speech are rising at an alarming rate.
According to UNOCA, between January and April this year, “65 per cent of political content shared on social media” in the country was found to be either false or previously manipulated. The distortion of truth is stoking intercommunal violence, particularly in southern and central Cameroon, creating further rifts in an already fragile state.
UN Warns Of Rising Regional Insecurity
Beyond national borders, security concerns have deepened. Mr. Abarry highlighted two epicentres of persistent violence: the Lake Chad Basin and the Great Lakes region. Around Lake Chad, armed groups affiliated with Boko Haram and other insurgents continue to pose a serious threat.
These groups, he noted, have shown “their resilience and their ability to adapt and respond to the coordinated operations of the defence and security forces.”
One of the most alarming recent attacks occurred on March 24, when explosive-laden drones killed at least 19 Cameroonian soldiers in southern Nigeria. The incident has raised fears over the increasing use of advanced weaponry by extremist groups in the region.
Meanwhile, tensions between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have triggered widespread displacement in eastern DRC. The crisis there is being exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in neighbouring Sudan, intensifying the humanitarian emergency.
As international support wanes and funding dries up, UNOCA has expressed concern that “the inaction of the international community could lead to a worsening of the humanitarian situation.” With budget cuts impacting aid efforts across Central Africa, humanitarian organisations are struggling to keep up with the growing number of displaced and vulnerable people.
The Security Council now faces mounting pressure to adopt more robust strategies that go beyond short-term responses. As conflict and disinformation take deeper root, Central Africa’s path to peace remains precarious.
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