UN official calls on Security Council to support a ‘secure, peaceful and prosperous Sahel’ — Global Issues
“This insecurity is exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation,” said Martha Pobee, Assistant Secretary-General for Africa at the Department of Foreign Affairs. Political issues and peace-buildingandpeaceful activitiespointed out that women and children are the main victims of violence and growing inequality.
Regional leadership force
Meanwhile, the Joint Force of the Group of Five (G5) – formed in 2017 by then-Heads of State from Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger to fight terrorism in the region – remains is an important component in responding to insecurity.
Despite the challenges, including Mali’s withdrawal from the force in May, Ms. Pobee ensured that the Joint Forces continued to conduct military operations throughout the Central Region in the tri-border region, the Zone. The Western Region at the border between Mali and Mauritania, and the Eastern Region at the border between Chad and Niger.
Furthermore, it is considering a new operational concept to address the evolving security and humanitarian situation and the withdrawal of Mali’s troops.
Meanwhile, she updated that the Executive Secretariat and components of the G5 Sahel continue to put gender policy into action and increase training for women leaders.
In supporting the G5 Sahel, she said the UN was building regional capacity in improving criminal justice, managing border security and preventing violent extremism and extremism, as militant groups continues to expand throughout the region.
United Nations News/Daniel Dickinson
A Nigerian soldier defends a strategic position in Ouallam, Niger.
Maintain support
She informed the Council on the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Mali (APART FROM) continues to strengthen the Coalition Forces, including working with contractors to provide “life support consumables to the four backup forces of the Force outside Mali”.
“Technical and operational challenges remain a matter of concern,” said Ms. Pobee, noting that disagreements among the G5 Sahel Member States, culminating in Mali’s withdrawal, further complicate MINUSMA’s ability to support the Joint Force.
A problem of rights
UN human rights office, OHCHRalso strengthens the Joint Force in operating the framework for compliance with international humanitarian law and human rights.
“Defeating terrorism and violent extremism requires a comprehensive response and will not be achieved by military interests alone,” she said.
“It is vital that the Joint Forces integrate human rights and international humanitarian law at the core of its operations, or risk creating conditions that favor violent extremist groups, causing causing increasing suffering to the people”.
Likewise, military strategies against terrorism must be “entirely based on human rights…[with] protect the core of all populations”.
Photo UN/Manuel Elias
Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, Assistant Secretary-General for Africa in the Departments of Politics and Peacebuilding and Peace Operations, presented a summary of the Security Council meeting on peace and security in Africa. .
‘Coordinated breakthrough’
The senior UN official stressed the urgent need for “a coordinated breakthrough in our response to violent extremism”.
“If we fail in this effort, the effects of terrorism, violent extremism and organized crime will spread beyond the Sahel region and practically the continent of Europe,” she declared. Phi,” she declared, while pushing for a “rethink” of approaches.
In the coming months, Political dialogue in the region is crucial to the pursuit of common security goalsshe speaks.
‘Responsibility and Solidarity’
While “deeply committed” to helping resolve current tensions in the region, Ms. Pobee said that “only by working together, in a coordinated and complementary way”, many of the challenges facing before can be effectively resolved.
In that spirit, the UN, the African Union (AU) and others are supporting a Independent High Council for Security and Development in the Sahel aims to “focus greater attention and resources at the national, sub-regional, regional and international levels and propose innovative ways to address security, governance and development challenges.” development in the region”.
While awaiting the Council’s recommendations, she said she was confident in the Council’s continued support for a “stable, secure, peaceful and prosperous Sahel”.
“Faced with growing threats to the region and beyond, we call on the international community to continue to engage in a spirit of shared responsibility and solidarity with the people of the region.” UN official concluded.
Photo UN/Ekinder Debebe
Aminatou Sali (r), a Cameroonian who migrated within the country, was trained by an NGO to make leather goods.
Invited to speak
Eric Tiaré, Executive Secretary of the G5 Sahel, emphasized that despite discouragement, member states should not give up.
Instead, he stressed the need to double ground support for G5 forces, while reminding that urgent action is needed to stop the spread of terrorism.
Zakaria Ousman Ramadan, President of Chadian Center for Strategic and Prospective Studies, affirmed that the expanding terrorist activity threatens national resources in the region.
He stressed that the G5 needed a new concept of operation, and warned that further security and economic downturn could encourage terrorist groups to become violent.
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