STATEMENT BY
A3+ (ALGERIA, GUYANA, MOZAMBIQUE AND SIERRA LEONE)
DELIVERED BY
H.E. DR. MICHEAL IMRAN KANU
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE
Mr. President,
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3 Plus members, namely, Algeria, Guyana, Mozambique and my country, Sierra Leone. I thank Mr. Leonardo Santos Simão, Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) for his comprehensive briefing.
The A3 Plus takes note of the report of the Secretary General on the activities of UNOWAS and avails itself of the opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of SRSG Simão for his engagements in the region and the pivotal role of his good office in the implementation of the UNOWAS mandate.
We commend States in the region for their continued resilience in the face of multidimensional challenges to their security, stability, and peace consolidation.
We are optimistic about the role of the Security Council in the consolidation of peace in the region. This is demonstrated by the unanimous adoption of the Presidential Statement (S/PRST/2024/3) on UNOWAS in May this year. The adoption of the PRST brought all 15 members of the Council together, not only to adopt a product but to engage, consult, identify and support solution seeking to address the challenges in the region. We hope that the Council can employ the same approach in addressing in particular the persistent and concerning security situation and humanitarian crises.
The A3 Plus acknowledges the role of state institutions in advancing peace and development in the region and welcomes the many positive achievements in this regard. We highlight the notable progress towards achieving transitional justice, in The Gambia’s implementation of the recommendations of its Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission, and Liberia’s issuance of the executive order for the establishment of the Office of War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia.
The A3 Plus applauds the successful elections in Senegal, Togo and Mauritania. We note the role of the Constitutional Court in Benin, the Independent Electoral Commission of Côte d’Ivoire, the national assemblies of Togo and Senegal, and renewed confidence in the Electoral Commission in Ghana. We applaud their efforts in undertaking initiatives for electoral reform and addressing tensions surrounding national governance architectures, which by extension are key milestones in achievement of SDG 16 to build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
Against this backdrop, the A3 Plus wishes to make the following points:
Firstly, the A3 Plus reiterates its call for the attention of this Council on the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the region. The ongoing threat of jihadist insurgence, violent extremism and terrorism is made all the more menacing as it continues to take on evolving formats that elude efforts to tackle and address its devastating effects.
We remain deeply concerned about the activities of extremist groups such as Al-Qaeda affiliated Jama‘at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara across the region. We condemn in the strongest terms all acts of terrorism and violent extremism, as well as violations of international humanitarian law, carried out by these groups, especially attacks on civilians and civilian objects. Their strong operational capabilities particularly in the Liptako-Gourma region, is a source of grave concern and we urge all relevant actors to cease their financing and supplying of arms to such groups.
We underscore the importance of governments and regional bodies to be supported to operationalise existing initiatives that prevent radicalisation, combat the spread of and tackle terrorism. We also urge a joint security mechanism to take strong action in addressing organised crime and bring to account all actors, sponsors, financiers and benefactors.
The A3 Plus welcomes the efforts to strengthen regional cooperation and institution building to address the evolving threat of terrorism in West African and the Sahel, including the efforts of the Government of Nigeria in organizing a High-Level African Counter Terrorism Meeting in Abuja with support from the United Nations Office of Counterterrorism in April 2024. We are pleased that SRSG Simão participated in this meeting and had bilateral engagements on the margins with high level representatives of Ghana, Nigeria, the African Union and ECOWAS and secured their support to leverage the Accra Initiative to foster relations between the central Sahel and coastal countries.
The A3 Plus also welcomes the decision of the 36th Ordinary Session of the Summit of the African Union, held in February 2023, related to the need to change the name of the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT) to the African Union Counter-Terrorism Centre (AUCTC), and review of its status and structure, to enable it to be aligned with similar international bodies, and improve synergies, and further enhance the efficiency of Member States in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
We also take note of the Final Communique of the Sixty-Fifth Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS held on 7th July 2024 in Abuja, Nigeria. We note the reassertion of the Authority’s commitment to eradicate terrorism and towards activating a regional force to fight against terrorism, pursuing mobilisation opportunities with the African Union Commission, and within the framework of the UN Security Council resolution 2719, and for cooperation between the United Nations, regional and subregional organizations in maintaining international peace and security.
Secondly, the A3 Plus notes the urgent need to address the dire humanitarian crises in the region, and to respond to growing food insecurity, malnutrition, school closures and health concerns. We note with concern the increase in mass forcible displacement of people, and the disproportionate impact on women and children. We are deeply concerned about the increase in internally displaced persons, refugees and asylum seekers in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria noting that numbers are approaching 6.9 million. The growing number of refugees and asylum seekers in neighbouring Mauritania, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Togo is also deeply concerning.
We note that people in these situations, especially youth, engage in high-risk migration which comes with its own challenges. We re-echo our calls for scaled up humanitarian assistance to conflicts as well as host countries where limited resources and overburdened social infrastructures are unable to meet the basic needs of these vulnerable people. We are deeply concern that of the $3.2 billion needed for the humanitarian response plans for Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria, targeting 15 million people, only 13 per cent had been received as of 23 May. We agree with the assessment that without additional funding, millions of vulnerable people will be left without vital support.
Thirdly, the A3 Plus emphasizes the need for political solutions and unity in the region. In order to counter the far-reaching effects of the security, political and other challenges, it is critical for all stakeholders to embrace common approaches and transcend political interests and polarisation of the region.
Having acknowledged the role of state institutions in advancing peace and development, transitional justice processes and successful elections in the region, the A3 Plus remains deeply concern about the challenging political transitions, and the continuing impact of unconstitutional changes of government. We therefore encourage governments to approach good governance practices holistically.
We underscore the need for countries undergoing political transition to adhere to their electoral timelines and ensure democratic consolidation, good governance, the rule of law, respect for human rights, gender equality, sustainable development, and the inclusion of civil society in democratic processes.
We take note of the development regarding the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), and the position of the ECOWAS Authority’s as reflected in the Final Communique of the Authority’s 65th Ordinary Session. The A3 Plus sees an opportunity for constructive dialogue and welcomes the Authority’s designation of H.E. Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, President of Senegal as ECOWAS Facilitator in ECOWAS engagement with the AES (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger) in collaboration with H.E. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe, President of the Togolese Republic.
Mr. President,
The A3 Plus strongly believes that solutions which address underlying socio-economic hardships and interrelated intercommunity tensions as well as the effect of climate change, would improve not only the situation of people in the region but also prevent conflicts and mitigate the situations which lead to conflict including the radicalisation, recruitment and use of youth in violent extremist groups. Additionally, the spread and entrenchment of violent extremist ideologies in communities must be significantly addressed.
Despite these challenges, West African communities are rooted in strong traditions of self-reliance and innovation which can be utilised to advance their human and socio-economic and civil rights. To this end, we believe that addressing the root causes of conflict, promoting good governance, eliminating foreign interference and investing in development are crucial for long-term stability and prosperity in the region.
In conclusion, the A3 Plus is of the considered view that situation in West Africa and the Sahel offers an opportunity for the global governance system to collaborate to enhance unity, cohesion and cooperation in the region for shared security, stability and socio-economic development. In this regard, there is need for pragmatic and progressive solutions that are regionally ownership and supported by the international community.
I thank you.
