UN General Assembly
2020

“In that regard, it is fitting to recall that debt was already a major handicap that the pandemic has accentuated. As the African Development Bank has noted, nearly 50 million additional people could be at risk of falling into extreme poverty in Africa in 2020. Moreover, Africa’s losses resulting from the pandemic will reach several hundred billion dollars for the period from 2020 to 2021. Many countries could then be forced to borrow, further aggravating the debt burden. “In view of the magnitude of the challenges to be met and the present and future multisectoral needs, Chad once again calls for the outright cancellation of the external debt of African countries so that they can successfully respond to the COVID-19 crisis and adequately commit to addressing the post- COVID-19 socioeconomic reconstruction on a firmer foundation. “Excellencies, “Ladies and Gentlemen,