UN official says Central Africa making progress but warns of ongoing challenges

By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - A senior UN official on Thursday said the Central African region has made steady progress in recent months but still faces major political and humanitarian pressures.

"Over the past six months, Central Africa has achieved significant progress, even though the region does continue to face challenges," Abdou Abarry, the special representative and head of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), told the UN Security Council.

He said the region "remains stable overall."

Noting that political transitions in Central Africa are nearing an end, Abarry said: "By the end of this year, there will no longer be any ongoing political transitions in Central Africa, highlighting that Gabon is completing its transition after elections held in a peaceful climate."

He also welcomed the progress but stressed the need for Gabon "to maintain a policy of dialogue and of inclusion" so its new chapter "is written in golden letters."

"The security and humanitarian crisis in Sudan, unfortunately, continues," Abarry said, adding: "Between the start of the conflict in 2023 and early November 2025, more than 1.2 million refugees, asylum seekers, and Chadian returnees arrived in Chad."

Since the fall of El Fasher, "12,930 new refugees have arrived," he said, praising Chad's "remarkable hospitality and generosity."

Abarry further urged the council to continue working toward an end to the Sudan crisis, warning that it affects "the peace and stability of Chad, the CAR and the region."

He also raised concerns about UN funding shortages, saying the "20% staff reduction" and limited travel "seriously hinder our capacity" to carry out UNOCA's work. He appealed for support so the office can keep working for "a Central Africa of peace, stability, and prosperity."