1. This report responds to the statement by the President of the Security Council dated 10 August 2018 ( S/PRST/2018/17 ), in which the Council requested the Secretary-General to keep it informed, every six months, of the activities of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNERAC). It contains an account of the main political and security developments in Central Africa since the last report, dated 26 November 2021 ( S/2021/975 ), as well as an update on the situation in the Lake Chad Basin, as requested by the Council in its resolution 2349 (2017) .
II. Main developments in the Central African subregion
A. Trends and developments in politics, peace and security
2. During the reporting period, several countries in the subregion have started preparations for elections to be held in 2022 and 2023. To date, the risk of electoral violence appears to be limited in most countries. While the peaceful transfer of power in São Tomé and Príncipe shows opportunities to consolidate democratic gains in future electoral cycles, in other countries there is a shrinking political space. The socioeconomic impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and war in Ukraine has fueled public frustration. Most countries have recently lifted COVID-19 restrictions, but remain on the verge of a relapse, particularly given generally low vaccination rates.
3. The period under review was marked by the continuation of the political transition in Chad and the progress of political dialogue in the Central African Republic. In Chad, the inclusive national dialogue, which represents a key step in the roadmap for the transition process, was initially scheduled to take place on May 10 but was postponed to allow for pre-dialogue between the transitional authorities and political groups. -military, which is being held in Doha, to produce results. In the Central African Republic, the republican dialogue, which took place from March 21 to 27, saw the withdrawal of certain members of the opposition. However, it offered a place for debate to socio-political actors and local Central African representatives, who were able to discuss issues relating to peace and security, political governance,
4. The region continued to be subject to multidimensional threats to border security. Inter-communal violence has increased, including conflicts between farmers and herders and herders and fishermen in the Lake Chad basin. In the North West and South West regions of Cameroon, prospects for dialogue have not materialized and violence has persisted.
5. The Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) continued its institutional reform and the implementation of its strategic priorities for the period 2021-2025, particularly in terms of peace and security. In Brazzaville, on January 19, it held the twentieth ordinary session of the Conference of Heads of State and Government, during which important steps were taken to strengthen its peace and security architecture, in particular by establishment of a committee of elders and the creation of a network of mediators in Central Africa. The leaders of the Community have decided to redouble their efforts to try to provide a response to the multidimensional aspect of the evolution of security conditions in the sub-region.
Source: UN Security Council