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8170th Security Council Meeting: Peace consolidation in West Africa
The Security Council today adopted a presidential statement that welcomed positive developments in several West African countries, but expressed its serious concern over the challenging security situation in the region and the Sahel.
In presidential statement S/PRST/2018/3, presented by Kairat Umarov (Kazakhstan), Council President for January, the 15-member organ expressed full support to the Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, Mohamed ibn Chambas.
Welcoming renewed impetus to the implementation of the United Nations integrated strategy for the Sahel, the Council emphasized the need for national stakeholders to work together to prepare and hold peaceful, transparent and credible elections with a level playing field for all candidates and greater participation of women.
It welcomed the peaceful conduct of the 2017 elections in Liberia and acknowledged the importance of maintaining international attention on that country after the withdrawal of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) on 30 March, stressing the role of the Peacebuilding Commission in that regard.
At the same time, the Council reiterated its concern over the situation in Guinea-Bissau, calling upon its political leaders to complete implementation of the Conakry Accord without further delay. It also noted with concern the situation in Togo and welcomed regional efforts to identify a way forward through dialogue.
On the security situation in West Africa and the Sahel, it noted the threats posed by asymmetric terrorist attacks, maritime piracy and transnational organized crime, including trafficking in persons, arms, drugs and natural resources, which could be interlinked.
The Council strongly condemned all terrorist attacks in the region, notably by Jama‘at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh), Ansar al-Islam and Boko Haram. It stressed the need to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including by addressing the conditions conducive to its spread, in accordance with obligations under international law.
Through the presidential statement, Council members welcomed the leadership shown by countries in West Africa and the Sahel in spearheading initiatives to address security challenges, and commended efforts by the African Union, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Member States in the region to strength border security and regional cooperation, including through the Multinational Joint Task Force and the Group of Five for the Sahel (G5 Sahel) joint force.
Turning to trafficking in persons, the Council reaffirmed its condemnation in the strongest terms of that practice in all instances. It reiterated the need to ensure coherence in United Nations efforts to address the problem and recognized the need to keep working towards an enhanced, comprehensive and coordinated approach. It also encouraged further cooperation between the European Union, the African Union and the Organization, particularly within the Joint Task Force.
It recognized the adverse effects of climate change on regional stability, while calling for significant humanitarian and development action. It also encouraged the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) to consider work that would help counter the threat posed by small arms and light weapons, as well as further cooperation and clear division of tasks between that Office and the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA).
Expressing its intention to monitor progress in West Africa and the Sahel, it requested the Secretary-General to continue to provide information on efforts being made by UNOWAS. It also called for assessment of the implementation of Council resolution 2349 (2017) to be integrated into its regular reporting.
The meeting began at 10:28 a.m. and ended at 10:29 a.m.