UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Security Council said Friday that it would consider renewing the mandate of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) by another three years.
The Security Council noted UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' recommendation that the mandate of UNOCA be extended for another three years, from Sept. 1 2018 to Aug. 31, 2021. The council expressed its intention to consider this recommendation, said the Security Council in a statement.
The Security Council requested Guterres to conduct a strategic review regarding the scope of UNOCA's mandate and activities and present recommendations to the Security Council by Aug. 1, 2019.
The council voiced deep concern about the grave security situation and related violations and abuses of human rights in parts of Central Africa, in particular the continuing terrorist activities of Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in the Lake Chad Basin, the persistent violence perpetrated by armed groups in the Central African Republic, the ongoing violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the worrying increase in violence in the northwest and southwest regions of Cameroon, said the statement.
The council expressed its concern regarding maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea, the illegal wildlife trade and transnational organized crime, including the threat of mercenary activities, it said.
The council also voiced concern at continuing tensions linked to disputed electoral processes, social and economic difficulties, and conflicts between farmers and herders.
The Security Council expressed grave concern at the devastating humanitarian consequences of ongoing violence and conflict in the region, including food insecurity, health emergencies and the threat of epidemics, sexual and gender-based violence, and increased numbers of internally displaced persons and refugees.
