Senior official warns of weakening regional security after Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger withdraw from West African economic bloc
Leonardo Santos Simão, head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), told Security Council that by “abandoning ECOWAS”, the three military-led governments would “abandon important interests” including regional integration, freedom of movement, security cooperation and an integrated regional economy, to the detriment of both themselves and the remaining members of ECOWAS.
Three transitional governments have severed ties with ECOWAS after senior officers staged military coups in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
As a result, military leaders have “postponed the return to constitutional rule and raised fears of prolonged unrest,” as public space “continues to shrink,” according to the UN Special Representative.
Instability in the Sahel
He said the transitional regimes had added to the instability in the vast and fragile Sahel region, marked by growing insecurity, worsening humanitarian crises and slowing economic growth due to political instability.
Some seven million people have been displaced within West African countries or fled across borders, and the number continues to rise.
Residents also faced widespread power shortages, closures of health centers and the closure of more than 8,000 schools, leaving hundreds of thousands of children without access to education and undermining the foundations of regional development.
Mr Simão noted in his speech that it remains “very worrying” that the humanitarian response plan put forward by the United Nations is only about 15 percent funded.
Emerging democratic activities
With a more optimistic outlook amid profound challenges, Mr. Simão highlighted the significant steps toward strong democratic frameworks that some West African countries have taken.
He praised Mauritania, Senegal, Ghana and Liberia for their recent successful presidential elections, particularly welcoming women running for president in Senegal amid low female representation in leadership in West Africa.
Mr Simão also highlighted the persistence of justice and accountability at the heart of many regional conflicts. For example, the ongoing trial in Guinea over a brutal military crackdown 15 years ago “exposes deep rifts in society and the desire for justice and reconciliation”.
Meanwhile, in Liberia, the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Tribunal more than 20 years after the end of the civil war there served as “a means of healing the country and rebuilding the social fabric.”
The decision by Cameroon and Nigeria last month to pursue a plan to resolve border disputes within the framework of the Cameroon-Nigeria Joint Commission chaired by Mr Simão himself, rather than return to International Court of Justicealso praised.
‘Stay the course’
Finally, in the midst of uncertainty, the Special Representative affirmed that UNOWAS would “stay the course”.
“I will continue to support democratic principles and practices, build consensus, promote good governance and insist on adherence to human rights and humanitarian principles.“, he say.
Furthermore, he pledged that UNOWAS will continue to build resilience to increasingly volatile climate conditions that are damaging food security and intercommunal conflict, as well as harnessing the power of women in public life and empowering youth.
“I can assure you that the United Nations continues to be seen as a vital lifeline in these challenging times.because the people of the region expect us to demonstrate humanitarian values, neutrality and fairness,” Mr. Simão concluded.
Watch the Special Representative brief the media after the Council meeting here:
