Statement by Dmitry Polyanskiy, First Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN, at the open VTC of UNSC members on peace consolidation in West Africa
Mr. President,
We thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, Mr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, and Coordinator of the Association for Indigenous Women and Peoples of Chad, Ms Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, for their briefings.
We share the concerns expressed by Mr. Chambas regarding further degradation of security situation in West Africa and especially in the Sahel. The geography of terrorist activity, interethnic and intercommunal conflicts, drug trafficking and organized crime are expanding in the region. Extremist ideology is attracting new adherents. Almost every week we are receiving reports about the tragic loss of lives caused by heinous terrorist activities. Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have literally become “front-line” states. We are concerned that Boko Haram terrorist group became more active in the Lake Chad basin. We reaffirm our full support to all those who are engaged in a difficult struggle against terrorism in the region.
A new and extremely dangerous factor for security and stability of West Africa is the coronavirus pandemic. It hits indiscriminately – both stable and the most vulnerable countries. Social services and schools cease to function, healthcare facilities are under tremendous strain. Only those who are interested in further destabilization of the region — terrorists and other disruptive elements — capitalize on this disturbing situation. The consequences of coronavirus for West African countries have yet to be assessed, but it is already clear that more and more people will need humanitarian assistance and other forms of support.
Despite a number of problems, the developments in the political life of the countries of the region showed that even in the present difficult circumstances associated with the epidemic, the African states and public institutions managed to cope successfully with their tasks. In this regard, we hope that parliamentary and presidential elections scheduled for the second half of 2020 in many countries of the region will be held democratically, transparently and legitimately and with strict respect for national sovereignty, as it happened during the period covered by the report. Interference in these processes by external players also should be excluded.
UNOWAS faces large-scale and difficult tasks: to promote the resolution of regional crises, participate in political mediation, help to strengthen state institutions, implement the UN Integrated Strategy for the Sahel, and coordinate other UN presences on the ground. In addition, efficiency of the functioning of this Office directly depends on how well it coordinates with regional organizations such as the African Union, ECOWAS, the G5 Sahel, and the Lake Chad Basin Commission. Some issues – including combating piracy and the demarcation of the Cameroonian-Nigerian border – require close cooperation of UNOWAS with its southern "neighbor" – the UN Office for Central Africa.
To conclude, I would like to highlight, Mr. Chambas, that Russia welcomes your personal commitment and efforts to help countries in West Africa, the Sahel and the Lake Chad basin to overcome current difficulties. There is no doubt that UNOWAS deserves credit for important achievements in the region.
Thank you.
