Statement by Vassily Nebenzia, Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN, at the open VTC of UNSC members on Peace and Security in Africa (G5 Sahel)
Mr. President,
We thank USG Jean-Pierre Lacroix and G5 Representative – Foreign Minister of Mauritania Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed for their briefings.
We agree with the alarming assessments of the situation in the Sahel. Security threats in this part of Africa remain high. Against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic and quarantine measures, terrorist activity has again intensified, drug trafficking and organized crime are expanding. Unfortunately, we are receiving almost every week tragic reports about heinous terrorist attacks.
The pandemic led to serious humanitarian consequences for the region, which was in a difficult situation long before the current crisis. Schools are closed, more and more people need food and medical care. This state of affairs creates fertile soil for the radicalization of the population. In this regard, the countries of the region must be assisted to effectively oppose the expansion of extremist ideology, begin to address severe socio-economic problems, strengthen state institutions, and foster a culture of respect for human rights.
We support the efforts of the G5 Sahel states to deploy joint forces to combat terrorism and organized crime. It seems that in a relatively short period of time they have already become an important element of regional security. We are pleased to note information on several successful counter-terrorism operations of the joint forces in the reporting period. Improved planning and coordination between military units expanded the scale and duration of operations. We welcome the establishment of a joint coordination mechanism in Niamey between G5 Sahel and other military presences in the region. We hope that current difficulties associated with the coronavirus will be temporary in nature and the joint forces will be able to resume operations in the near future.
We are convinced of the importance of further coordinated steps on the part of both Africa and the international community aimed at combating terrorism in the Sahara-Sahel region. We support the initiative of the African Union to develop a plan for the deployment of African Standby Forces there. We note the timely decision of the West African Economic and Monetary Union to adopt an action plan to finance the fight against terrorism in the region until 2024.
It is obvious that the full-fledged functioning of the G5 Sahel forces depends on two important factors: ensuring their stable and predictable financing and providing appropriate transport and logistics assistance. We note that the funds promised by foreign donors are gradually reaching the region. We support the assistance provided to the joint forces by the UN Mission in Mali in accordance with the mandate set by the Security Council resolution 2480. We are ready to consider options for improving the assistance provided by MINUSMA, which were included in the recent report by the UN Secretary General on Mali.
Russia is closely monitoring the developments of the situation in the region. We are already providing a number of countries with appropriate military and technical assistance and training of military and police personnel. In general, we believe that in the near future the armed forces of the Sahel region will become even more effective tool in restoring and maintaining peace in West Africa.
Thank you.
