Peace consolidation in West Africa - Security Council, 10195th meeting

Renewed diplomacy beginning to yield results in West Africa, Sahel despite growing terrorist threat, top official for region Tells Security Council.

• Categories: Meetings & Events / Security Council
• Video Length: 01:40:08
• Production Date: 14 July 2026
• Asset Language: Arabic; English; French; Russian; Spanish; Chinese; Original
• Personal Subject: LEONARDO SANTOS SIMÃO
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR WEST AFRICA AND THE SAHEL - UNOWAS; ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES - ECOWAS
• Subject Topical: SAHEL REGION SITUATION; PREVENTIVE DIPLOMACY; TERRORISM; COUNTER-TERRORISM; ARMED GROUPS; DRONE AIRCRAFT; ORGANIZED CRIME; DISPLACED PERSONS; HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE; BORDER INCIDENTS; REGIONAL COOPERATION
• Geographic Subject: WEST AFRICA; SAHEL
• MAMS Id: 3607523
• Parent Id: 3606989
• Alternate Title: MTG SC 10195 UNOWAS 14 JUL 2026 AM

Description

Renewed diplomacy across West Africa and the Sahel is beginning to yield tangible improvements, even as an increasingly sophisticated terrorist threat continues to wreak havoc across the region, particularly in the central Sahel and northern Nigeria, the senior UN official for the region told the Security Council today.

Presenting the Secretary-General’s latest report (S/2026/537) to the 15-member Council, Leonardo Santos Simão, Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), warned that armed groups are increasingly using drones, sophisticated communications and cryptocurrencies while coordinating operations across borders. [The Council has extended the Office’s mandate until 31 January 2029.]

• Briefer: Mr. Leonardo Santos Simão, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel
• Statements: All Council members, with Liberia speaking on behalf of: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Somalia
• Statements: Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso

Related Sites and Documents

UN Meetings Coverage

S/PV.10195