Sierra Leone Statement at the UN Security Council on Peace consolidation in West Africa

STATEMENT BY
H. E. DR. MICHAEL IMRAN KANU
AMBASSADOR / PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE

President,

1. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3+ members, namely, Algeria, Guyana, Mozambique and my country, Sierra Leone.

• We thank Mr. Leonardo Santos Simão, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) for his comprehensive and valuable briefing.

• We take note of the contribution of Ms. Levinia Addae-Mensah, Executive Director, West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP).

• The A3+ takes note of the report of the Secretary-General (S/2024/871) covering the period July to November 2024 on the activities of UNOWAS.

• Noting the developments in West Africa and the Sahel (the region) during the reporting period, and keeping with the 18 July 2024 letter of the President of the Security Council addressed to the Secretary-General (S/2024/562), the A3+ wishes to underscore the following points:

• Firstly, on the security situation, the A3+, remains gravely concerned by the intensification of terrorist attacks in the region. We deeply regret the increasing fatalities in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Togo and deplore the expansion of control of terrorist and criminal organizations across West Africa and the Sahel.

• The A3+ accordingly welcomes the efforts of SRSG Simao, UNOWAS and other UN bodies, and commends the continued commitment and coordinated work of the Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee in advancing the implementation of Security Council resolutions on counterterrorism.

• We acknowledge the critical role of regional initiatives in addressing the common threat of terrorism and violent extremism, even in the midst of its evolving geo-political reconfigurations. In this regard, we call for robust support and the prioritization of regional security efforts.

• We note the importance of the Multinational Joint Task Force in fighting terrorist groups in the Lake Chad Basin and the potential which the full operationalisation of the Accra Initiative presents, particularly in addressing cross-border threats to peace and security and combating terrorist activity including preventing recruitment and radicalization of young people in the region.

1. We further urge for predictable funding for regional security mechanisms and support for development and peace-building efforts as complementary efforts for sustaining peace in the region, including through activation and the use of such mechanisms such as provided for by Security Council resolution 2719.

1. The A3+ conveys our deepest condolences to the victims of terrorism and violent extremism in the region as well as for the loss of lives and properties due to adverse weather conditions in the region, particularly in Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Niger and Nigeria.

1. Secondly, on political developments and regional integration, theA3+ welcomes progress to consolidate democracy in Senegal, Cabo Verde, Mauritania, Côte d’Ivoire, and in particular, Ghana, which successfully conducted peaceful general elections earlier this month. We call for sustained efforts in this regard.

1. Peaceful democratic transitions and restoring good governance are means of conflict resolution and prevention. The A3+ welcomes the positive updates on the democratic transitions of government, ongoing constitutional reviews and legislative reform process in some countries in the region. We are optimistic that this trend will be consistent and prevalent in other parts of the region, including countries that have upcoming general and local elections scheduled to be held in 2025. 

1. We, however, express serious concern over the loss of civilian lives in the course of peaceful protests and urge for a safe space for civic freedom and expression, respect for human rights and dignity, inclusion of women and youth in governance and adherence to the rule of law. Shrinking civic spaces and rights erode public trust and breed public resentment, which, in turn, engender a recourse to violence and extremist activities.

1. The A3+ strongly supports positive reforms that seek to promote accountability, good governance and the rule of law. We reiterate our call for the support of development partners and International Financial Institutions, to make available the necessary financing to West African and Sahelian States to stabilize their economies, finance their development projects to realise their full aspirations of prosperous, and resilient democratic societies.

1. On regional integration, the A3+ notes the affirmation of the decision by the transitional governments of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso to separate from ECOWAS and the establishment of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) at the first Summit held on 6 July in Niamey, Niger. We further acknowledge the sustained mediation efforts of ECOWAS, particularly through the efforts by the Heads of State of Senegal and Togo as recognized during the Sixty-Sixth Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government held on 15 December 2024, in Nigeria.

1. In this regard, we take note of ECOWAS’ continued engagements with the three countries, the decision to implement a transition period and adopt separation modalities and a contingency plan to cover political and economic relations between ECOWAS and AES countries. 

1. Thirdly, in already noting the fatalities and devastation during the reporting period, the A3+ expresses concern over the adverse and devastating effects of climate change in the region. This phenomenon further exacerbates the challenges of fragile communities and heightening food insecurity, and it is now recognised as part of the root causes of inter-communal violence and the spread of violent extremism in the region.

1. As we urge for further concerted efforts to address the adverse impact of climate change in the region, including by UNOWAS, we take note with appreciation of the efforts of the Security Council’s Informal Expert Working Group on Climate, Peace and Security and their recently concluded field visit to the Lake Chad Basin.

• To address the various humanitarian challenges in the region, the A3+ reiterates its calls for a scaled-up humanitarian response in tandem with development initiatives, which addresses the socio-economic challenges of the region. Both urgent and rapid responses, as well as long-term solutions, are critical in improving the lives of people in the region.

• We welcome the efforts of Resident Coordinators and United Nations Country Teams towards the implementation of the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel (UNISS) and call for continued comprehensive response in implementing this strategy.

• In closing, President, the A3+ reiterates its support for SRSG Simao and UNOWAS, and remains committed to working with all Security Council members to ameliorate the suffering of civilians and chart a better future for the people of West Africa and the Sahel.

• The A3+ commends the steps by SRSG Simao in utilising his good office to strengthen regional stability and cooperation, and we encourage UNOWAS to continue its engagement with regional stakeholders, including the ECOWAS, the African Union, and civil society organizations, to ensure a coordinated and effective response to the region’s challenges.

• Finally, as this is the final scheduled meeting of the year in which the A3+ will deliver a joint statement, the A3+ pays tribute to Mozambique on their excellent representation and prioritization of African issues and overall effective tenure in the Security Council.

• We also pay tribute to co-penholder Switzerland for their outstanding commitment and work on the UNOWAS file, particularly in getting the Council to reach consensus  on the Presidential Statement  2024/3 adopted on 24 May 2024

I thank you.