Leonardo Santos Simão, head of the United Nations Workplace for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWA), informed the Safety Council that by “abandoning ECOWAS” the three military-led governments would “quit key pursuits” , together with regional integration, freedom of motion, safety cooperation and an built-in regional financial system, to the detriment of themselves and the remaining ECOWAS member states.
The three transitional governments severed ties with ECOWAS following army takeovers by senior officers in 2021, 2022 and 2023 respectively.
The UN particular consultant stated that as civil house “continues to shrink”, army leaders have “delayed a return to constitutional rule and raised considerations about long-term uncertainty”.
Instability within the Sahel
He stated the transitional regime has exacerbated instability within the already precarious huge Sahel area, which is characterised by rising insecurity, worsening humanitarian crises and gradual financial development exacerbated by political fragility.
Roughly seven million persons are displaced inside West African nations or flee throughout borders, and the quantity continues to rise.
The inhabitants additionally faces widespread electrical energy shortages, the closure of well being facilities and the closure of greater than 8,000 colleges, leaving a whole lot of hundreds of youngsters with out entry to schooling and undermining the foundations of regional improvement.
In his speech, Mr Simao stated it remained “very regarding” that the UN-sponsored humanitarian response was solely about 15 per cent funded.
rising democratic practices
Within the face of significant challenges, Mr. Simang was extra optimistic and highlighted the numerous progress in establishing sound democratic frameworks in some West African nations.
He counseled the current profitable presidential elections in Mauritania, Senegal, Ghana and Liberia, paying particular tribute to Senegal’s feminine presidential candidates, given the low illustration of girls in management in West Africa.
Mr. Simang additionally emphasised the persistence of justice and accountability on the coronary heart of many regional conflicts. For instance, Guinea’s ongoing trial over a brutal army crackdown 15 years in the past “uncovered deep social rifts and a need for justice and reconciliation.”
In the meantime, in Liberia, greater than twenty years after the top of the civil conflict, the Conflict and Financial Crimes Courtroom was established as “a software for the nation to heal and rebuild its social cloth”.
Cameroon and Nigeria have been additionally praised for his or her determination final month to pursue a plan to resolve their border dispute throughout the framework of a Cameroon-Nigeria blended fee chaired by Mr Simang himself, reasonably than resorting to the Worldwide Courtroom of Justice.
“Keep on with the top”
In the end, towards a backdrop of instability, the Particular Consultant confirmed that UNOWA will “keep the course”.
“I’ll proceed to advocate democratic ideas and practices, construct consensus, promote good governance, and cling to human rights and humanitarian ideas,” He stated.
Moreover, he dedicated UNOWA to proceed constructing resilience to more and more unstable local weather situations that undermine meals safety and intercommunal battle, and to harness the ability of girls in public life and youth empowerment.
“I can guarantee you that the United Nations will proceed to be seen as an vital rescuer in these difficult occasionsas a result of the folks of the area count on us to embody the values ​​of humanity, neutrality and impartiality.
To look at the Particular Consultant’s media briefing following the Safety Council assembly, click on right here:
