The UN official called on the Security Council to support ‘security, peace and Sahel prosperity’ |

“This insecurity worsens the already dire humanitarian situation”, said Martha Pobee, Assistant Secretary General for Africa in the Departments of Politics and Peace and Peace Operations, pointing out that women and children are the main victims of violence and inequality grows.

Local leadership potential

Meanwhile the Group of Five (G5) – created in 2017 by the then heads of government from Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger to combat terrorism in the region – is an important component in the response to insecurity. .

Despite the challenges, including the withdrawal of Mali in June from power, Ms. Pobee assured that the Coalition continues to carry out military operations across the Middle East in the tri-border area, the Western Sector on the border between Mali and Mauritania, and the Line -west on the border between Chad and Niger.

Furthermore, he proposed a new concept of operations to address the development security and humanitarian situation and the withdrawal of Mali.

Meanwhile, he updated that the Executive Secretary and the G5 Sahel components continue to put the gender policy into practice and promote training for women leaders.

In support of the G5 Sahel, he said the UN is building regional capacity in improving criminal justice, border security management and prevention of radical and violent terrorism, as militant groups continue to expand in the region.

A Nigerien soldier is guarding a strategic position in Ouallam, Niger.

Keeping support

He told the UN Security Council Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) to continue to support the Joint Task Force, including by working with contractors to deliver “life support equipment to four groups of Forces outside Mali”.

“Technical and operational challenges are a matter of concern“, Ms. Pobee said while noting that the division between the G5 Sahel Member States, which culminated in the withdrawal of Mali, has also complicated MINUSMA’s ability to support the Coalition.

The issue of rights

The UN human rights office, OHCHR, also supports the Coalition in implementing international human rights and humanitarian law compliance.

“Overcoming terrorism and violent extremism requires a comprehensive response and will not be achieved by military advantages alone”, he stressed.

“It is important that the Task Force integrates human rights and international humanitarian law into the basis of its operations, or risk developing a further breeding ground for violent extremist groups, causing constant suffering for the population”.

Likewise, military tactics against terrorism must be “fully grounded in human rights…[with] the safety of the entire population is at their core”.

Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, Assistant Secretary-General for Africa in the Departments of Political and Peace Building Services and Peacekeeping Operations, convened the Security Council meeting on peace and security in Africa.

‘Unified Success’

The UN chief stressed the urgent need for “coordinated success in our response to violent extremism”.

“If we fail in this effort, the effects of terrorism, violent crime and organized crime will be felt far beyond the Sahel region and, indeed, the African continent,” he said, pushing for “a review” to approaches.

In the next month, Political dialogue in the region is necessary to pursue common security goalshe said.

‘Responsibility and unity’

While she is “deeply interested” in supporting a solution to the current regional tensions, Ms Pobee said that “only by working together, in a united and harmonious way”, the many challenges ahead can be tackled well.

In that spirit, the UN, the European Union (AU) and others are supporting the Independent High-Level Commission on Security and Development in the Sahel, aiming “to focus greater attention and resources on national, regional, local, and world level and suggest innovative ways to address security, governance and development challenges in the region”.

While awaiting the Council’s recommendations, he said he trusted the Council’s further support to “stability, security, peace and a prosperous Sahel”.

“Faced with the growing threats to the region and beyond, we urge the international community to remain committed in the spirit of shared responsibility and solidarity with the local population,” the UN official concluded.

Internally displaced Cameroonian, Aminatou Sali (r), was trained by a non-governmental organization to make leather goods.

Call to talk

Eric Tiaré, Executive Secretary of the G5 Sahel, emphasized that despite the setback, Member States should not give up.

Instead, he expressed the need to double down on ground-level support for the G5 force, while reminding that urgent action is needed to stop the proliferation of terrorism.

Zakaria Ousman Ramadan, President of the Chadian Center for Scientific Studies and Prospective Research, maintains that the increasing terrorist activity threatens the country’s resources across the region.

He stressed that the G5 needed a new plan of action, warning that further security and economic damage could force terrorist groups.

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