At the UN Security Council on 11 December 2025 in New York, the United Kingdom reaffirmed its support for the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), highlighting the office’s role in early warning, preventive diplomacy and regional coordination.
Delivering the UK statement, Deputy Permanent Representative Archie Young CMG focused on three files: Gabon, Cameroon and the regional effects of the conflict in Sudan. He noted that the Democratic Republic of the Congo would be taken up by the Council on 12 December 2025.
On Gabon, the UK welcomed the completion in November of local, legislative and senatorial elections, building on April’s presidential poll. The statement described this as completing Gabon’s political transition and encouraged further governance and electoral reforms to consolidate democratic institutions.
Regarding Cameroon, the UK raised concern about ongoing violence and recent post‑election unrest that resulted in loss of life. It underlined the impact on civilians in the North‑West and South‑West regions, welcomed UNOCA’s efforts to promote dialogue, and called for a Cameroonian‑led process to address the Anglophone crisis. The statement also stressed cooperation against Boko Haram and ISWAP in the Lake Chad Basin through the Multinational Joint Task Force, in support of communities in the Far North.
On the Sudan file, the UK noted that the conflict is destabilising the wider region, driving displacement and acute humanitarian needs. It commended the authorities in Chad for hosting large numbers of refugees, urged continued international coordination to support civilians and press for an end to the fighting, and confirmed £125 million of UK humanitarian support for Sudan in 2025.
UNOCA, established in January 2011 and headquartered in Libreville, operates with a mandate to monitor political and security developments, exercise the Secretary‑General’s good offices and coordinate UN activity across Central Africa. The Security Council renewed UNOCA’s mandate for three years on 31 August 2024, with objectives set out in the Secretary‑General’s letter of 21 August 2024 for the 2024–2027 period.
For policy teams and delivery partners, the UK’s message points to dialogue support and civilian protection work in Cameroon, governance and electoral reform priorities in Gabon, security coordination across the Lake Chad Basin, and humanitarian planning linked to displacement from Sudan. These areas align with UNOCA’s mission profile and recent Council direction.
The Council’s consideration of the DRC on 12 December 2025 will proceed alongside UNOCA’s 2024–2027 mandate cycle, which provides the framework for continued reporting and coordination in Central Africa. The UK has signalled ongoing backing for international coordination and humanitarian assistance, including the stated £125 million for Sudan’s response this year.