UN Urges Dialogue and Security in West Africa and Sahel

The United Nations has called for renewed dialogue and security efforts across West Africa and the Sahel, as highlighted by Special Representative Leonardo Santos Simão during the presentation of the latest report to the UN Security Council. The report outlines three major trends affecting regional security, emphasizing the need for sustained investment in peace and development despite ongoing challenges.

Simão noted the importance of cooperation among countries, citing recent diplomatic exchanges between Niger and Nigeria and the normalization of relations between Mali and Algeria as positive examples. However, he stressed that security concerns remain significant, with terrorist groups posing threats, particularly in the central Sahel and northern Nigeria.

The humanitarian situation is dire, with millions displaced and access to essential services limited. The UN called for a comprehensive approach that combines security measures with social and economic development initiatives, highlighting the progress made in the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission as a model for peaceful dispute resolution.