West Africa: UN Hails Positive Progress
By George Okore
West African countries are making significant progress towards greater peace and stability, heralding positive developments in post-conflict recovery and peace building.
United Nations Security Council is pleased with progress particularly in Guinea, Niger and Côte d’Ivoire, but warns of fragile situation due to recurrent threats to peace and security in the sub-region from terrorism, trans-national organized crime, drug trafficking and election-related violence.
The Security Council is urging for strengthening trans-regional and international cooperation, based on common and shared responsibility to counter the world drug problem and related criminal activities. Ambassador Peter Wittig of Germany, which holds the Council’s rotating presidency this month, wants support for relevant national, sub-regional and regional organizations and mechanisms in order to strengthen the rule of law
UN Secretary-General Special Representative for West Africa Said Djinnit welcomed efforts by African Union and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to address unconstitutional changes of government and to consolidate democratic practices and institutions, particularly through security sector reform, promotion of human rights and involvement of women in conflict prevention and resolution.
The Council encourages continued engagement of international community to ensure that progress made in preventing conflict and consolidating democracy in West Africa is sustained.
It encouraged UN Office for West Africa (UNOWA) to continue to promote and strengthen regional and integrated approach to issues in West Africa, including those which have a cross-border dimension, in particular the threat of terrorism in the Sahel, security sector reform, trans-national organized crime, including illicit drug trafficking, the promotion of good governance and human rights.
Furthermore, Mr. Djinnit is stressing on the need to comprehensively address issues of development, governance and security in West African countries. “Despite praiseworthy efforts to promote development and stability, the countries are still vulnerable and fragile, deserving determined and steadfast support from international community,” he said.
I In his latest report to the Council on UNOWA activities of, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also points out that with the end of Côte d’Ivoire crisis, the restoration of constitutional order and democracy in Guinea and Niger, as well as peaceful and fair elections in Benin and Nigeria, the sub-region is witnessing a new momentum towards peace and democracy.
He says that UNOWA will continue to support initiatives aimed at consolidating the gains that are consistent with its revised mandate. It will also concentrate on addressing cross-border and cross-cutting challenges to peace, security and stability, in particular election-related crisis and violence, challenges related to security sector reform and trans-national crime, notably drug trafficking and terrorism.