UN Calls For More Support For West Africa & Sahel

The United Nations (UN) Security Council has stressed the need for increased resources for the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) in order to support Guinea-Bissau and post-transition countries in the region. 

The three-year mandate of UNOWAS is set to expire at the end of 2019.

In a statement following the meeting the Security Council expressed, “its deep concern about the continued deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation in the Sahel region and calls for a continued regional and international engagement to help these countries to address the peace and security challenges they face." 

Among the issues considered by the Council were the security and stability of Mali and the inter-Togolese dialogue process ahead of 2020 elections. More broadly it considered a number of wider challenges from the effect of climate change and natural disasters, to terrorism and maritime piracy.

Concerning Guinea-Bissau the Council called for the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS) to gradually draw down and transfer tasks to UNOWAS. It also urged continued support for the peace and reform processes underway in the Gambia.

The Council welcomed the generally peaceful conduct this year of presidential elections in Nigeria, Senegal and Mauritania, and legislative elections in Guinea-Bissau, while stressing the importance of national stakeholders working together in Guinea‑Bissau, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea and Togo to facilitate preparations for upcoming elections.