A meeting of the UN Security Council in New York on June 30 (Photo: VNA) The event was also attended by Annadif KhatirMahamat Saleh, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative in West Africaand the Sahel and head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS);and Chantal Ayemou, President of the Cote d’Ivoire Network for the Defence ofthe Rights of Children and Women.
Speakers said over the last six months, WestAfrica and the Sahel witnessed certain political progress, notably thesuccessful parliamentary and presidential elections in such countries as Niger,Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, and Burkina Faso.
However, they noted, the security situation inthe region has continued recording complex developments as a result of growingterrorism and violence among communities.
They recognised the good response to COVID-19 bycountries in West Africa and the Sahel but also voiced concern that thepandemic has pushed these nations into serious recession, reversed economic andpoverty alleviation achievements, and hampered efforts to obtain theSustainable Development Goals.
Saleh emphasised his concern about foodinsecurity and trans-national crime in many regional countries, along withpiracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
For her part, Ayemou highlighted several stridesin ensuring the rights of women and children in West Africa and the Sahel butalso pointed out numerous challenges to this process, especially in securingaccess to education and healthcare for women.
At the meeting, held every six months, UNSCmember states condemned the attacks against civilians, UN staff, and UNpeacekeepers in the region.
They highly valued and affirmed their supportfor activities of UNOWAS and the G5 Sahel force. They also called on theAfrican Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)to keep coordinating with the UNOWAS in maintaining regional peace, security,and development.
Minister Counselor Nguyen Phuong Tra, DeputyPermanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, recognised the political processin the region, particularly the recent establishment of new governments andparliaments in some countries.
She shared concerns over the security andhumanitarian situation in West Africa and the Sahel while condemning theattacks against civilians there.
The diplomat appealed to all stakeholders to strengthenthe protection of civilians and UN staff and peacekeepers and ensure thatcivilians’ legitimate interests and humanitarian aid activities are notimpeded.
Vietnam highly values efforts by the UN, UNOWAS,regional organisations, and the G5 Sahel force to contribute to peace,security, development, and promotion of the political process in the region,Tra stressed.
She called for the enhancement of preventivediplomacy, early warning, conflict prevention, and reconciliation during thesettlement of regional conflicts, with threats posed by climate change toregional security taken into account./.
VNA
