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I thank the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Sahel, Ms Hiroute Guebre Sellassie, for her briefing on the progress towards implementation of the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel. I also wish to commend the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA) for its dedicated efforts in the Sahel.  It is encouraging that the UN, as well as the AU and ECOWAS have developed integrated strategies addressing the multiple challenges of the Sahel. These strategies must be operationalized in a coordinated manner to ensure the most effective impact on the security, governance and the resilience of countries in the Sahel region.

Strengthening coordination and increasing collaboration with and among the countries of the region as well as among different stakeholders remains key.  The third meeting of the Ministerial Coordination platform, held on 18 November in Bamako, was another positive step in this regard.

On its part, the EU is actively engaging in the Sahel and, in view of the significant developments in recent months, is updating its strategic approach. Considerable EU efforts are focused on strengthening the security sector reform, namely via the EUTM in Mali, the EUCAP SAHEL in Niger and the recently deployed EUCAP SAHEL in Mali. My country continues to contribute to these efforts as part of the EUTM.

Mr. President,

Since last June, when the SRSG Sellassie first briefed the Council, we have witnessed further deterioration of the political, security and humanitarian situation in the Sahel region. Humanitarian and development challenges, as well as adverse effects of climate change and the threat of Ebola outbreak pose significant threats. Over 24 million people face food insecurity, 6 million children are malnourished and at least 3.3 million are displaced. The unemployment rates are high and people, especially youth, are at risk of being recruited by terrorist groups. The circulation of and much too easy access to illicit arms compounds continuing violence, disrupting and damaging civilian lives and fuelling human rights violations.     

The scourge of terrorism remains a major threat across the Sahel. Weak governance, porous borders, cross-border organized crime and the spread of terrorist groups, notably Boko Haram, are the very acute challenges that could further destabilize the situation in the region. The recent attacks at Kano Central Mosque in Nigeria left scores of innocent civilians dead and injured.  During the past months, terrorist attacks throughout northern Mali have also claimed lives, including those of UN peacekeepers.

As Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and other Sahel terrorist groups’ activities are increasingly financed by the drug dealing and smuggling, the nexus of drug trafficking and terrorism in the Sahel is an increasingly disturbing trend.

These are huge challenges for the region, requiring complex, well-coordinated responses and consistent engagement of subregional, regional organisations, the UN and the international community at large. In particular, further enhancement of cooperation and coordination of intelligence and information sharing, reinforcement of existing mechanisms, in particular the Fusion and Liaison Unit and regular meetings of the Heads of Intelligence and Security Services in the countries of the Sahelo-Saharan region play a key role in stepping up efforts to counter the spread of the threat of terrorism. It is essential that the UN counterterrorism machinery, in combination with the efforts of other relevant international organisations, continue their focused and needs-based assistance to countries in the region.

It is also important that the countries of the Sahel region increase their individual as well as collective efforts against cross-border security threats, including strengthening border controls, curbing the flows of arms, as well as the  movement of illegal armed groups across the region. We welcome the commitment of the African Union and regional partners to strengthen relevant mechanisms, including the Nouakchott Process on security cooperation across the Sahel, as well as the efforts of the Group of Five (G5) of the Sahel.

Mr. President,

The crisis in Mali affects the whole of Sahel and could only be resolved through a comprehensive, inclusive and transparent peace process. It is regrettable that the ongoing negotiations in Alger have not yet concluded in a sustainable peace agreement. Further delay of such an agreement will only exacerbate the security situation in northern Mali and eventually, the region. The UN, regional mediators and the international community should send a strong message of expectation that the Algiers process should lead to a durable peace, within the agreed parameters and in full respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Mali. 

As the situation in Libya remains dire, enhanced efforts should be focused on finding a political solution, bringing all parties to the negotiation table and putting an end to the bloodshed and division in this country. Absent the progress on the political and security tracks, Libya risks becoming just another hotbed of radical extremism and terrorism, with most serious consequences for the entire region.

My delegation commends the joint efforts of the UN, the AU and ECOWAS in Burkina Faso, which led to the signing of a Charter for the Transition and appointment of the civilian President of the Transition in Burkina Faso. We will remain vigilant on the political situation in the country and on the transition leading to the elections.

Mr. President,

An implementation plan of the UN Integrated Strategy for the Sahel with a focus on governance, security and resilience has been developed. It is now essential to ensure its swift implementation, through coherent and systematic activities on the ground and the delivery of tangible results that would ensure genuine sustainable development of the region and benefit its entire people.