As part of their commitment to preventing conflict and supporting the consolidation of peace and security in Central and West Africa, the Special Representatives of the United Nations Secretary-General for Central Africa, Abdou Abarry, and for West Africa and the Sahel, Leonardo Santos Simão, carried out a joint mission to Chad from November 12 to 16. During their stay, they held talks with the Prime Minister, Allamaye Halina, and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Abderaman Koulamallah, among others. The two UN officials took the opportunity to condemn the despicable acts of terrorism perpetrated by Boko Haram, and to express the UN's solidarity with the Government and people of Chad.

Mr. Abarry and Mr. Simão paid close attention to the humanitarian situation in the Lake Chad Basin. With this in mind, they visited Bol, more than 150 km north of the capital N'Djamena, on November 13. In this locality (capital of the Lac province), they had a close-up look at the realities on the ground, as well as the difficulties faced by displaced people and other victims of the radicalization of Boko Haram or armed groups operating in this area, where flooding is also a source of anguish for many families. They were thus able to gauge the challenges facing the population, local authorities and humanitarian partners. Exchanges with all stakeholders enabled a rigorous needs assessment to be carried out, in order to better organize and coordinate assistance in terms of protection, food security and health, particularly for the most vulnerable, including women and children.

“The people we met in Bol are in total distress. We need to act quickly, as they have neither decent housing nor food, while care has not yet begun”, stresses the Head of UNOCA. “We must continue to mobilize the necessary resources to ensure that the populations concerned have dignified living conditions”, adds his colleague from UNOWAS, concerned by the gravity of the situation. Against this backdrop, the two UN officials appealed for more help and support. They reaffirmed their determination to intensify advocacy in this direction and, in general, to continue to work alongside Chad and other partners in the fight against terrorism and the promotion of regional stability, in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolution 2349. On this subject, they held in-depth discussions with the African Union's High Representative in Chad, Basile Ikouebe, and representatives of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), as well as with members of the diplomatic corps.

Mr. Abarry and Mr. Simão also held a working session with the United Nations Country Team in Chad, led by Resident Coordinator François Batalingaya. They saluted their remarkable work on the ground, and their commitment to further strengthening the coordination of their efforts in favor of peace and sustainable development in Chad.