New York (VNA) – Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Head of the Vietnamese PermanentMission to the UN, has called on the world to intensify efforts in the fight againstterrorism in West Africa and the Sahel region.

Chairing the UN Security Council Briefing on the UN Office for West Africa andthe Sahel (UNOWAS) on January 8, the diplomat stressed that in the context ofthe worsening situation in the region, countries should join hands to resolvethe unstability there, including organised crime and the impact of climatechange on regional security.

According to Mohamed Ibn Chambas, UN Special Represenative and Head of theUNOWAS, the region has experienced a devastating surge in terrorist attacksagainst civilian and military targets, with Niger, Mali and Burkina Fasosuffering the most.

Recurringattacks have triggered population displacements of more than 5.1 millionpeople, led to the prolonged closure of health and education facilities, and incertain areas reinforced the role of militias and self-defence groups forsecurity, he said.

On behalf of UNOWAS, Chambas spoke highly of agencies in Guinea-Bissau forensuring safety for the second round of the country’s presidential elections onDecember 29. However, he warned of the threat of increasing violence whenpresidential elections take place in Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana,Guinea, Niger and Togo.

He also mentioned other threats to the nations, including racial conflict,territorial disputes between Nigeria and Cameroon, as well as breakawayactivities in other countries.

Terrorism, organised crime and intercommunal violenceare often intertwined, especially in peripheral areas where the State’spresence is weak.

“In those places,extremists provide safety and protection to populations, as well as socialservices in exchange for loyalty”, he informed the Council, echoing theSecretary-General in saying that for these reasons, “counter-terrorismresponses must focus on gaining the trust and support of localpopulations”. 

The SpecialRepresentative outlined that governments, local actors, regional organisationsand the international community are mobilising across the region to respond tothese challenges.

Calling “now” the timefor action, Chambas drew attention to the importance of supporting regionalGovernments by prioritising a “cross-pillar approach at all levels and acrossall sectors”.

Other members of theUNSC also voiced their concerns over rising violence in West Africa. Niger,South Africa and Tunisia lauded UNOWAS’s efforts and roles, and reiteratedAfrican countries’ commitment to handling the situation in the region. Theyalso asked the UNSC for further support for UNOWA’s activities in the area.

Other representatives at the event said UNOWAS should focus on helping regionalcountries successfully hold presidential elections./.