Peace consolidation in West Africa - Security Council, 10195th meeting

The 10,195th meeting of the Security Council is called to order. The provisional agenda for this meeting is peace consolidation in West Africa. The agenda is adopted. In accordance with Rule 37 of the Council's Provisional Rules of Procedure, I invite the representatives of Burkina Faso and Côte d'Ivoire to participate in this meeting. It is so decided. In accordance with Rule 39, Under Article 54 of the Council's Provisional Rules of Procedure, I invite Mr. Leonardo Santos Simão, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel, to participate in this meeting. It is so decided. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of item 2 of the agenda. I now give the floor to Mr. Leonardo Santos Simão.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

President of the Council, ladies and gentlemen, members of the Council, I have the honor to present to you today the report of the Secretary-General on the activities of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel, UNOWAS. Please allow me to, at the outset, to extend my most sincere congratulations to the Democratic Republic of the Congo for assuming the presidency of the Council throughout the month of July and to wish them a fruitful presidency. On July 19th, in Sierra Leone, an ECOWAS summit will be held with a dual purpose, both the ordinary one and the one devoted to establishing the future of regional integration in West Africa following recent political events in the area. In a region plagued by heightened political tensions, aggravating an already fragile security situation, we are committed to promoting dialogue, to fostering mutual understanding, convey messages of encouragement, and seeking common ground with all stakeholders— government leaders, regional institutions, United Nations bodies, civil society, women, and young leaders.

Distinguished members of the Council, in West Africa and the Sahel, 3 broad trends stand out. First, the concerning security situation. Second, the renewal of the momentum for dialogue and cooperation. And thirdly, the democratic developments occurring in the region. On the security situation, the threat posed by terrorists and other non-state armed groups remains acute, especially in the Central Sahel and northern Nigeria, rapidly targeting coastal states, the Gulf of Guinea. These groups are adapting their tactics, increasingly using advanced technology such as drones, means of communication, and cryptocurrencies. Their attacks are coordinated across multiple fronts, including across countries. Their actions intersect with the transnational organized crime and are aimed at consolidating territorial and economic control, erosion of public confidence in state authority, with serious damage to social cohesion. On 25 April, a coalition of the terrorist group Jama'a Nusra al-Islam wa Muslimin, or JNIM, and the Malian separatist group Front de Libération de the Lazawad, OFLA, launched simultaneous attacks against strategic targets in Bamako, in Kati, Kidal, Gao, and Mopti, among others, causing civilian and military casualties, including the death of the Minister of Defense. Partial blockade imposed on key supply routes into Bamako is disrupting the movement of essential goods and services, And attacks on power lines are affecting supply of electricity and water. More recently, fighting between the Malian Armed Forces and the FLN coalition has moved north— northern Mali, especially in the Kidal and Gao regions. In Niger, terrorist attacks occurred at the airport of Niamey. As well as against a military base in Tawa between January and June. Attacks have also been reported in Tiaberi and Diffa regions. Burkina Faso continues to face assaults, including drone-enabled operations, particularly in the north and east regions. The authorities announced plans to recruit 100,000 reservists and approximately 12,000 military personnel by the end of 2026. In Nigeria, the North and Middle Belt also experienced continued attacks, abductions, and high civilian casualties. The human cost of the violence is devastating. As of the end of February, about 6.8 million people were internally displaced across the region, in addition to around 1.28 million refugees and asylum seekers, including approximately 220,000 in Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo. In Liberia, authorities report a steep increase in the migrant populations of Burkinabé since 2026, from about 40,000 thousand to around 120,000 today. This is placing high pressure on host communities, land resources, and basic social services. Coupled with terrorism, drug trafficking, production, and consumption are a rapidly growing phenomenon in the region, affecting mainly coastal states where increasing quantities of different types of this substance are being seized by the authorities. Youth are the principal victims, but there are also reports of their use by terrorist combatants. Furthermore, political and public institutions in some countries are reportedly threatened by drug syndicates, leading to their weakening. Humanitarian access remains severely constrained in many areas, While funding shortfalls are reducing the reach of life-saving assistance, women, children, and young people continue to bear the brunt of displacement, insecurity, rights violations, and limited access to essential services. Attacks on schools underscored why the toll of insecurity— that insecurity is taking on the future prospects of entire communities. However, new investments in school and vocational training infrastructure, as well as alternative learning methods, are helping keep education within reach for vulnerable or displaced children and youth, including girls, in hard-to-reach areas. Faced with these challenges, regional actors were working hard to find solutions. I repeat, faced with these challenges, regional actors are working hard to find solutions. ECOWAS has renewed efforts to operationalize its standby force, but at a lower dimension than needed due to financial limitations. The implementation of the Council Resolution 2719 was expected to be a major UN contribution in assisting the region to face the growing challenge of terrorism.

Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen of the Council, West Africa and the Sahel are experiencing a new impetus in terms of dialogue. A high-level consultative conference on regional cooperation and security held in Accra in January brought together regional leaders and partners who committed to rebuilding trust and establishing a new security cooperation mechanism to replace the Accra Initiative. Further consultations then took place with the inclusion of new actors, including European and other regions, with the active participation of all IAS and ECOWAS member states. In the same spirit, ECOWAS has appointed the former Prime Minister of Guinea, Lansana Goyate, as a chief negotiator in charge of dialogue with the IAS countries, and consultations are now ongoing. In addition, actors such as Senegal and Togo are multiplying initiatives so as to bring positions closer together and promote a common strategy to combat the scourge of terrorism and organized crime in the region. It is also worth highlighting the growing role of the African Union, which is playing an increasingly important role in promoting dialogue, rapprochement between the parties, and strategic coherence. This development is reflected in particular in enhanced cooperation with ECOWAS, as well as in increased exchanges with Mali and other countries in the region.

Distinguished members of the Council, UNOWAS has remained fully engaged in encouraging and supporting these developments for dialogue and cooperation. During the report period, the reporting period, I consulted leaders and senior officials across the region, including Ghana, Togo, Niger, and Senegal, as well as with the ECOWAS, the AU, and European envoys, as well as international partners in Abuja, Brussels, Washington, and Paris, convening regional and international actors in Banjul in April. The AU Special Representative and Head of the AU Mission for Mali and Sahel, Mamadou Sangara, presented the Mission's new approach, built around respect for sovereignty, unconditional dialogue, and inclusive institutional engagement. These exchanges show that there is a shift from confrontation towards collaboration and constructive engagement that is being— beginning to produce concrete results. On 9 February, Niger and Nigeria reopened the Kamba border crossing, restoring a significant trade corridor. The attendance by the Prime Minister of Niger, as well as the foreign ministers of Burkina Faso and Mali, at the inauguration of President Romuald Ouédani of Benin, and President Ouédani's subsequent tour to Niamey, Ouagadougou and Bamako, and the broader Sahel, signaled a renewed commitment to improving relations. Talks are ongoing for the reopening of the Niger-Benin border. The Mano River Union also stepped up its engagement for dialogue as the presidents of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone met in Conakry to address growing tensions in their border areas and their commitment to peaceful dispute resolution. In Sierra Leone, mediation by the international moral guarantors, including ECOWAS and UNOWAS, helped secure an agreement between the government and the opposition on key steps to accelerate the implementation of the Agreement for National Unity and the recommendations of the Tripartite Committee. More recently, Mali and Algeria decided to normalize their bilateral relations by opening their respective airspaces and reinstating their ambassadors. These are some examples of regional efforts towards dialogue and leading to cooperation among the countries of the region. Mr. President, distinguished members of the Council, Although facing multiple challenges, democracy is taking root in the region, as reflected by peaceful elections, reforms, and continued steps towards accountable governance. During the period— during the reporting period, elections proceeded peacefully in Benin, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, and Guinea. After a decade, while in Benin, the April presidential election concluded the 2026 electoral cycle. Reform efforts are also underway in several countries. In Ghana, the establishment of a specialized High Court division to expedite corruption, illegal mining, and asset recovery cases is a significant step towards strengthening accountability. In The Gambia, the appointment of a special prosecutor and the establishment of a special criminal division in the High Court is a positive step towards ensuring transitional justice. In Senegal, following national dialogues in 2024 and 2025, reform efforts have continued, including the ongoing constitutional reform. In Mauritania, a national dialogue is on agenda. In several countries, especially in the Central Sahel, authorities have introduced new regulatory frameworks for the exercise of political and civic freedoms and functioning of associations and public actors. These measures reflect in part an intention by the authorities to strengthen state authorities during a period of transition and heightened insecurity, though— although anxieties and criticism by political parties and civil society groups are mounting. While timelines for a return to constitutional order remain unclear in the 3 Central Asian states, the need to ensure stability, accountability, and the rule of law, as well as respect for human rights and inclusive governance, remain. Mr. President of the Council, distinguished members of the Council, security responses alone will not be sufficient. To successfully address the root causes of instability, investments are needed in the social, economic, and environmental foundations of peace. That's why UNOASAS continues to work across a range of regional priorities. In January, we convened a dialogue on water diplomacy with the region's major basin organizations, United Nations entities, and regional institutions, reaffirming water cooperation as a tool for conflict prevention, climate resilience, and regional integration ahead of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference. We have also continued supporting the implementation of the Yaoundé Maritime Security Architecture, recognizing that insecurity on land and insecurity at sea are part of the same wider ecosystem of organized crime and illicit trafficking. Together with the UNODC, we are also— we also convened a dialogue between youth and government authorities in Dakar on emerging drugs, youth, and security, highlighting the growing risks posed by proliferation of new drugs and their implication for social cohesion, public health, and terrorism financing. We have also Seen positive examples of holistic national action to address the root causes of some of these challenges. In northern Togo, I was able to witness the positive impact on security by combining security measures with the development and humanitarian interventions led by the government with UN support. Mr. President, distinguished members of the Council, For this year, the economy of the region is projected to grow by about 5% on average, with strong growth in countries such as Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Niger, The Gambia, and Senegal. However, domestic and external debt burdens, inflation, national security expenditure, shrinking fiscal space, and external shocks continue to mitigate the social impact of these gains. Fighting poverty and vulnerability must therefore remain a common objective in the broader fight against terrorism. The Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission is in its final phase of implementing the 2002 International Court of Justice judgment, with steps toward demarcating The last 36 kilometers on the border under preparation. This is an example of how patient and principled engagement can transform potentially divisive issues into a framework for cooperation. In a related development, Ghana's decision to refer its maritime dispute with Togo to arbitration under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea is another welcome affirmation that international law is a viable and constructive path to peaceful dispute. Mr. President, members of the Council, UNOWAS remains fully committed to implementing its mandate in support of peace, constitutional governance, and regional cooperation in West Africa and the Sahel. Following the letter of the President of the Council, of 19 February 2026, welcoming the Secretary-General's decision to conduct an independent strategic review of the UNRWA's mandate and activities. The review process has started, led by former President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Madam Saleh Workizoud. We, we look forward to its conclusions and recommendations as an important contribution to make UNOWAS more adapted to evolving realities in West Africa and the Sahel and consolidate the relevance of the United Nations in the region. In concluding, I want to express our gratitude for the support UNOWAS continues to receive from the Council. I thank you for kind attention.

I thank Mr. Sima for his briefing. I now give the floor to those Council members who wish to make statements. I give the floor to the representative of Liberia.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3, namely the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, and my own country, Liberia. We thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNOAS for his sobering yet clear-eyed briefing, and we welcome the extension of the UNOAS mandate until January 2029. This is a vote of confidence in preventive diplomacy at the very moment the region needs it most. Mr. President, West Africa and the Sahel stand at a crossroads between peril and promise. The A3 chooses the road of promise in unwavering solidarity with the countries and peoples of the region. Whose resilience remains its greatest resource. But we do not and will not look away from the peril. The A3 condemns in the strongest terms the coordinated terrorist attacks of 25th April across Mali and the assault on Niamey's international airport in June, and we extend our condolences to the bereaved families and affected governments. The growing sophistication of non-state armed groups, their tactical use of drones and specialized improvised explosive devices, the cross-border flow of advanced weaponry, and the deepening convergence of terrorism with transnational organized crime demands a response equal to the threat that it poses. Terror knows no borders. Neither must our cooperation against it. We must act decisively to prevent spillover into coastal states and adjacent maritime corridors. Yet, the A3 has said it before and will say it again: there is no military solution to these crises. Lasting peace must be built by addressing root causes— poverty, exclusion, governance deficits, And climate vulnerability. For a battlefield victory that leaves despair intact is no victory at all. Mr. President, the A3 remains a steadfast champion of regional ownership and African solutions. We welcome the orderly conduct of recent elections in Benin, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, and Guinea. And we especially salute Cabo Verde's peaceful transfer of power, a reminder that democratic alternation is not the exception in our region, but it is the common practice— at least the growing common practice. We equally commend the vigilance of national forces and the decisive support of ECOWAS in preserving constitutional order in Benin last December. When constitutional order was tested, the region, the West Africa region, has answered. In the same spirit, we also warmly welcome the appointment of Chief Negotiator Lassana Kouyaté to lead the dialogue between ECOWAS Thank you. And the Alliance of Sahel States. Bridges are harder to build than walls, but they are the only structures that carry us forward and across. We urge all parties to seize this opening in good faith. Furthermore, the A3 calls for the Full implementation of Security Council Resolution 2719 of 2023 as a pathway toward predictable and sustainable financing for African-led peace operations. Mr. President, behind every statistic we've heard in the Secretary-General's report stands a human face. The humanitarian situation remains dire, driven by conflict, mass displacement, and climate shocks, while humanitarian needs and response plans remain severely underfunded. We call upon the international community to scale up assistance through predictable, flexible financing, and we stress the systematic integration of gender-responsive indicators and the principles of the Safe Schools Declaration. For a child kept safely in school today is a conflict prevented tomorrow. Amid these challenges, The Council should also lift up what works. The Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission, as we've heard, with more than 2,000 kilometers of boundary agreed and the validation of boundary coordinates achieved, stands as a testament to what patient legal diplomacy can accomplish. As the Commission advances toward the finalization of demarcation and transition to national ownership, it offers this Council and our continent a gold standard template that is worth replicating. Meanwhile, the A3 welcomes the ongoing independent strategic review of UNOWAS, with report expected in September. We encourage a forward-looking outcome that keeps the office fit for purpose and deepening its partnerships with the African Union, ECOWAS, and the Alliance of Sahel States. To conclude, Mr. President, The A3 reaffirms its full support for UNOWAS and its preventive diplomacy mandate. We stand ready to work constructively with all Council members on concrete products developed in close alignment with, and full respect for, the consent and ownership of the States of the region. The peoples of West Africa and the Sahel are not asking the world to carry them.

They—

and I should actually say we— are asking the world to walk with us. The A3 will walk with them every step of the way. And I thank you for your kind attention.

I thank the representative of Liberia for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative

Thank you, Mr.

President. And let me also thank the Special Representative to the Special Secretary-General, Simao, for his insightful remarks. Mr. President, I have 3 points to raise. First, Denmark is deeply concerned about the continued worsening of the security situation in West Africa and the Sahel. In the Central Sahel, attacks are occurring on a daily basis with a high number of civilian victims. In Mali last April, a large coordinated attack threatened the stability of the state. Armed violence is also spreading to the broader region. In Nigeria, we have seen a range of heinous attacks on schools. Against this backdrop, a collective security response is needed in the region. Together with regional actors, such as the AU and ECOWAS, UNOWAS and the UN can play a key role in supporting a conducive political environment for enhanced security cooperation. A collective security response to the challenges facing the region could involve the development of a joint regional counterterrorism strategy. This should build on ECOWAS' existing efforts and other regional initiatives, including the Multinational Joint Task Force. Any efforts to tackle terrorism must always be consistent with international humanitarian law, and international human rights law. Second, Mr. President, the challenges to peace and security in West Africa and the Sahel are increasingly complex. Challenges span from narrowing civic and political space to the troublesome transnational organized crime and drug trafficking, as well as the increasingly dire consequences, consequences of climate change. These factors continue to contribute to a worsening of the humanitarian situation, including forced displacement and a lack of humanitarian access. Cross-border initiatives and regional collaboration are essential in addressing those multidimensional challenges to security and finding a shared path towards peace, a path which must be built on respect for international law, including humanitarian and international human rights law. We support ECOWAS in exercising its role as the primary regional actor addressing security challenges in alignment with other regional and bilateral initiatives. We commend the initiative taken by Ghana and Togo to foster dialogue within the region, and we strongly endorse the efforts by the African Union Mission for Mali and the Sahel and the AU High Representative to convene actors and to lead dialogue. We must continue to build on such African-led efforts as part of strengthening the region's collective security response. Third, Mr. President, security measures alone cannot foster peace, resilience, and prosperity. Political solutions are needed. In the Central Sahel, insecurity, weak governance, and economic exclusion have contributed to violations of human rights and the rule of law. We believe that sustainable peace can only be built on democratic principles of governance. Denmark calls for progress on transition processes and respect for the constitutional order and the rule of law. The UN has an important role to play in helping countries and communities to build trust and strengthen national prevention capacities. Denmark calls on all countries in the region to collaborate with the United Nations. As SRSG Simao has outlined, UNOWAS provides important support to regional cooperation, preventive diplomacy, and inclusive democratic governance, as well as the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. We encourage continued efforts by the UN to ensure political commitment to regional international cooperation from all actors. We also encourage UNOWAS to continue strengthening coherence and coordination with other UN agencies, funds, and programmes. The UN must be fit for purpose at this critical time for the region. We look forward to considering the findings of the ongoing independent strategic review of UNOWAS. In closing, Mr. President, Denmark is a longstanding partner of West Africa and the Sahel. We will continue to cooperate with the region in pursuing collective solutions in areas of counterterrorism, peacebuilding, development cooperation, and humanitarian aid.

I thank you.

I thank the representative of Denmark for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of the United States.

Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you, Special Representative Simao, for your insightful briefing. We are grateful for your leadership and engagement across the region. and look forward to receiving the United Nations strategic assessment of the mission in the coming months. Colleagues, as we meet today, terrorism continues to fundamentally disrupt and shatter the lives of millions of people across the Sahel and West Africa. The latest attacks are more sophisticated, more coordinated, and are escalating in intensity. The United States condemns in the strongest terms all terrorist attacks, including the April 25th terrorist attack in Mali and the June 18th attack on the airport in Niamey, Niger. We express our deepest condolences to the families of those killed. We continue to urge the Sahelian states and their coastal West African neighbors to set aside their differences and seek a unified, coordinated response to terrorism, one that respects the rule of law and human rights, including military cooperation and intelligence sharing. African ownership of the regional security situation, with a coordinated response among all countries in the region, is critical. The United States, in turn, will continue to work with our regional partners to counter these common threats. Finally, the ongoing crisis in Sudan continues to have far-reaching impacts on peace and security across the Sahel. The United States calls on the belligerents in Sudan to immediately commit to and comply with a humanitarian truce without conditions. There is no military solution to this conflict. The people of Sudan cannot wait any longer and deserve better. I thank you.

I thank the representative of the United States for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Panama.

Thank you, Mr. President. We'd like to thank the Presidency of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for convening this meeting. And we thank Mr. Leonardo Santos Simão, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, for his valuable contributions and the good offices of his excellent leadership. We welcome here the presence of the representatives of Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso, who honor us with their participation today. President, we recognize the efforts made by the United Nations and regional actors, including the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, and the Confederation of Sahel States for their willingness to construct— for constructive dialogue so as to together address the challenges facing this region. Restoring trust among the actors and eradicating extremism at its root is crucial to revitalize this region and to lead it towards sustainable peace and development. We express our condolences to the families and victims of the terrorist attacks that continue to devastate communities and to undermine governments and regional stability. Mr. President, there is no military solution to eradicate terrorism, either in West Africa or in any other part of the world. Extremism is eradicated through dialogue, redirecting efforts to implement quality education policies and to generate economic, social, and labor opportunities for the local population. Extremists harness the vulnerabilities of young people and the lack of opportunities to recruit them. However, evidence has shown us that if we invest in social prevention policies, we can bring an end to this recruitment and to other forms of radicalization. For this reason, we support the considerations of the Secretary-General in his report, which calls for investment in development, in food security, and job creation. These are essential human rights to address the root causes of the conflicts and thus to guarantee the dignity of persons and to prevent violence. We are pleased to see that despite the attempts at destabilization that some countries have faced, they have been able to carry out elections and transition processes in the region, as was noted by the Special Representative. This points to progress in the political and governance areas, which are all factors that contribute to balancing out the current situation. President, we recognize regional sovereignty and sovereignty of countries of the African continent. We note with concern foreign interference in the region, particularly that that promotes or could even be funding armed groups and fueling conflict so as to establish their influence and extract critical resources and minerals, including uranium, gold, and petroleum. We also note with concern the coordination between terrorist groups such as Jama'at Nur al-Islam al-Muslimin, JNIM, and insurgents such as the FLA, which has been seen in Mali. Financing networks for armed and terrorist groups are complex. Illicit extraction, drugs trafficking, and the related markets contribute to sustaining these networks. Therefore, their origins and end destinations should be traced in depth, and accountability should be upheld under the rule of law. President, we call on all parties to keep diplomatic channels open and to provide a true follow-up to the interactive informal dialogue that was held exactly one year ago with all relevant actors in the region. Unfortunately, the proposal that arose out of that dialogue has not yet materialized regarding how to forge a joint regional strategy to eradicate extremism and terrorism. Greater political will to pick up momentum is required here. It is relevant that as a council, we harness the information provided by the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel, UNOWAS, and its cooperation with the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, and the Alliance of Sahel States, the AES, to chart The path that brings us closest to ensuring the well-being of the civilian population in the region, which suffers the consequences of our inaction most. We reiterate our support for the leadership of Special Representative Simao as he leads the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel, and we hope that the UN's presence continues to be used to prevent greater conflicts and to mitigate volatility in the region. Thank you very much.

I thank the representative of Panama for that statement. I now give the floor to the representative of China.

President, I thank Special Representative Simao for his briefing. China will continue to support the work of the Office for West Africa and the Sahel and Special Representative. At present, the situation in West Africa and the Sahel region remains stable in general with steady economic growth, but numerous challenges remain. The international community should increase its attention and input to help regional countries focus on defusing governance, security, and development challenges and consolidate the hard-won positive momentum. I have 3 points. First, we must spare no effort to safeguard political stability in the region. During the reporting period, countries in the region steadily advanced their political processes. Benin and Cape Verde held peaceful elections. Nigeria and The Gambia actively prepared for general elections elections. Many countries made practical progress in constitutional, electoral, and governance reforms. The international community must continue to support and assist countries in the region in preparing for elections, consolidating achievements for political transitions, strengthening governance capacity building, and exploring development paths fit for their respective national conditions. China welcomes the active dialogue between Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger with AU and ECOWAS and encourages all relevant parties to continue communicating frankly, build mutual trust, dispel doubts, continuously bridge differences, and deepen cooperation, and thereby injecting more positive energy into the region's political stability. Second, we must continue to enhance regional counterterrorism synergy. The counterterrorism situation in the Sahel region has become increasingly complex and severe. Terrorist groups have intensified their attacks and infiltration into central countries with increasingly sophisticated weapons and tactics. The recent and accelerating trend of convergence between terrorist organizations and separatist armed groups in Mali warrants high vigilance. China firmly opposes terrorism in all its forms and strongly condemns attacks by terrorist organizations or individuals against civilians and critical infrastructure. Regional countries must continue to strengthen security cooperation in border control, intelligence sharing, and joint counterterrorism efforts, improve their regional joint defense system, and enhance their capacity to independently address security risks. Various counterterrorism mechanisms should strengthen coordination and collaboration to form effective counterterrorism synergy. The international community should provide supporting funding, equipment, and technology to help regional countries fortify their security defenses. Third, we must comprehensively strengthen the foundations of regional development. For a long time, weak economic foundation, insufficient food production capacity, and high youth unemployment have continuously eroded the region's development resilience, are providing breeding grounds for various destabilizing factors to grow. We must address both the symptoms and root causes of these issues while providing humanitarian aid and alleviating hardships of livelihood. We must increase input in modern agriculture, food security, youth employment, and infrastructure to address development shortcomings and stimulate endogenous growth, thereby consolidating the fruits of peace through sustainable development. President, China is a sincere friend and reliable partner to the countries of West Africa and the Sahel region. We would like to work with the regional countries under frameworks such as the China-Africa Cooperation Forum to continuously deepen practical cooperation in various fields, continuously enhance people's sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security, and making greater contributions to promoting lasting peace, development, and prosperity in the region. I thank you, President.

I thank the representative of China for this statement.

I now give the floor to the representative of France.

Thank you, Mr. President. First of all, I would like to thank the Special Representative, Mr. Leonardo Santos Simão, for his statement and for his work, which is very important in order to facilitate dialogue in the region.

The representative—

Special Representative of the Secretary-General did say that the security situation continues deteriorating in the region, and this has terrible humanitarian consequences. consequences, with more than 16,800,000 internally displaced. This is aggravated by the difficulty of providing humanitarian response, and that makes civilian population all the more fragile and has a particularly hard impact on women and girls. As I was saying, the reason for this alarming humanitarian situation is, as was underscored by the Secretary-General's report is security challenges, which is in the region and beyond. The Central Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin are facing terrorist threats at an impossible level, which we condemn in the strongest possible terms. In the Sahel in particular, JNIM, the Group to Support Islam and the Muslims, is just strengthening its territorial grasp, as was shown by the attacks condemned by this council at the end of April and the ambush against the Mali armed forces a couple of days ago. This and the absence of a collective response on the part of the international community deepens the threat to the region. In order to face the worsening security situation and find regional solutions, what is needed is to work so as to stabilize the region and have dialogue there. We welcome the efforts undertaken by the African Union, ECOWAS, and other African states here. UNOWAS also plays an important role through its good offices and its new mission to promote respect for constitutional order. Indeed, good governance— promoting them in the region is a must if we want to have more resilient societies. And institutions need to be strengthened, the political and civic space preserved so as to allow for democratic expression and fight— to fight against disinformation and hate rhetoric. UNOWAS can help states in the region in this regard. France has pleaded during the UNOWAS renewal to have an ambitious and regular dialogue between this council and West African States and to have a number of reports and meetings every year. The gravity of the situation recently also advocates for that. It's important for the Council to keep regularly paying attention to this region and the people there who are facing unprecedented difficulties. We will remain committed to support the dialogue between the Council and the states in the region who want to have the support of the international community. We welcome the renewal for 3 years of the United Nations Office for West Africa. We welcome also the independent review which was given to Sally Wachtmeister, and the Security Council should also be paying attention to that.

I thank you.

I thank the representative of France for his statement. I now give the floor To the representative of Bahrain.

Thank you, Madam President. I would like to thank Ms. Simao, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel, for his valuable briefing. We highly value the efforts of the Office in enhancing peace facilitating dialogue and enhancing stability in the region. We support the extension of its mandate. We welcome the representatives of Burkina Faso and Côte d'Ivoire in this meeting. Mr. President, we thank the Secretary-General for his report. The report provided a comprehensive assessment of the developments in West Africa and the Sahel. We would like to address the following points. The Kingdom of Bahrain welcomes the positive developments in West Africa and the Sahel, especially elections, reform efforts, political dialogue, and the progress achieved between ECOWAS, and the Alliance of Sahel States. We believe that these developments are an important opportunity to enhance trust and advance regional cooperation. This would contribute to consolidate peace, security, and stability. We are convinced that dialogue is the optimal path to address common challenges. Second, Despite these positive indicators, there remain security threats. They are a source of grave concern as the security architecture is deteriorating. The capabilities of terrorist groups are increasing, and they're active in a number of states in West Africa and the Sahel. Coordinated terrorists Attacks in Mali recently confirm that the situation is serious, confirm that the capabilities and coordination between different terrorist groups is increasing. This threatens the peace and security of the whole region. Against this background, the Kingdom of Bahrain stresses its firm position. We condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

Thank you.

It is important to enhance security cooperation and intelligence cooperation. It's important to dry up the sources of financing of terrorism. It's important to address the intellectual— the ideology of terrorism. Third, the challenges— humanitarian challenges, economic challenges— Have become more urgent as conflicts, displacement, decline in humanitarian assistance, absence of food security— all these factors undermine stability and development efforts. The Kingdom of Bahrain stresses the need to enhance international support and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid and relief items without any obstacles. It is important to invest in human capital through women and youth empowerment. Their role must be enhanced in building peace. This would ensure that we achieve lasting peace and security. In conclusion, Mr. President, we renew our commitment to support all regional and international efforts that aim to consolidate peace and security and sustainable development in West Africa and the Sahel. and enhance partnerships that allow the peoples of the region to address common challenges and to build a more secure, a more prosperous future. I thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of Bahrain for the statement.

I now give the floor to the representative of the Russian Federation.

Mr. President, We thank the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, Leonardo Simão. We thank him for the report presented on the current state of affairs in the region, and we support the work of the office within its existing mandate. We are closely following developments in the region, and we note with concern the worsening infiltration of terrorists from the Sahel into the coastal States of the Gulf of Guinea, the increased coordination amongst various groups, as well as the level of their technical equipment and resource support. Also causing concern is the surge of militant activity in Nigeria, where during the period from January 1st to February 10th alone, 1,258 civilians were killed. The full potential of the terrorist groups operating in the Sahel revealed itself during the combat engagement with terrorists in Mali that began on the 25th of April. It became clear that the militants are capable of carrying out simultaneous large-scale attacks on the country's largest cities and possess the financial and technical means necessary for this. The United Nations Security Council assessed these events in the press statement of May 15th, 2026, which was supported by Russia. The statement implicitly states that these attacks carried out by the Group for the Support of Islam and the Muslims and the Azawad Liberation Front are terrorist acts. The latest report of the United Nations Secretary-General additionally informs of casualties among civilians and military personnel as a result of these attacks. We express our condolences to the government of the Republic of Mali in connection with the death of the country's Minister of Defense, Sadio Camara, who personally engaged in combat with the terrorists who attacked his home in the city of Kati. We note the decision made by the transition President Assimi Goïta to assume the duties of head of the Republic's military department during this difficult period. It is also telling that in his televised address on the 28th of April, President Goïta directly pointed to the existence of external sponsors of the coordinated terrorist attack on Bamako and the country's largest cities, and we share these assessments. It is obvious that these and other destructive actions were planned and carried out with the direct participation of external forces who shortsightedly remained under the illusion that they will always be able to control terrorists. There is information about assistance to armed groups on the part of the Kiev regime. Information concerning supplies of UAVs and the training of militants by Ukrainian military instructors is being confirmed. It is also surprising at the same time that against the backdrop of the United Nations Security Council's condemnation of the terrorist activities of the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims and the Azov Liberation Fronts, as well as the atrocities committed by them, widely publicized by the media, front militants give interviews in Paris. We're also seriously concerned by the fact that this is occurring against the backdrop of calls for effective regional counterterrorism cooperation, but members of terrorist groups are being welcomed in Europe. We're not surprised that terrorists once again decided in early July to test their strength in northern Mali. Near Aguelhok and Anifis, their attacks were repelled and the groups suffered significant losses. Both in April and this time, the barrier against terrorist attacks was provided by the Malian Armed Forces and the Russian Afrika Korps. For its part, the Russian Federation will continue to provide effective assistance to the states of the Sahel in combating terrorism. Taking into account developments in the security situation in the Sahel, We consider it appropriate to recall that Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso are at the forefront of efforts to combat trans-African terrorist groups. More than ever, they deserve support from the international community and regional organizations. And in this regard, we are perplexed by the refusal of the Western members of the Security Council to directly mention the name of the Confederation of Sahel Yes. —in Security Council documents. One can pretend as much as one likes that the confederation does not exist. However, this will not lead to a reduction of the terrorist threat in the region. Mr. President, we welcome the attitude noted in the report of the members of the Confederation of the Sahel States and ECOWAS towards gradually restoring our relations on a mutually beneficial basis. We note the positive decisions in this regard, which were adopted following the meeting of the leaders of the community on the 14th of December, 2025, in Abuja. Collective efforts are key to effectively countering the expanding terrorist threat in the region. We share the assessments presented in the report regarding the consistent efforts of ECOWAS to strengthen stability throughout the community. At the request of the government of Benin in December, ECOWAS response forces were rapidly deployed, and they thus succeeded in containing an attempted coup d'état. Following the presidential elections in Guinea in December, the country's participation in the work of ECOWAS bodies was restored. We highly appreciate the active work done by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Leonardo Simão, in the interest of strengthening confidence in the region and creating conditions for dialogue amongst countries aimed at overcoming existing security and development challenges. We are satisfied with the results of the activities of the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission, within the framework of which the complex process of demarcation of the relevant state border is approaching completion. We note the assessment being carried out of the United Nations Integrated strategy of the Sahel, which is being conducted currently. We believe that this process will make it possible to draw useful lessons from previous efforts— and previous efforts are not always effective ones— and draw useful lessons will help orient the activities of the UN toward— of the organization towards addressing region's key priorities, including the field of sustainable development, and to develop support tools taking into account the interests of regional actors. We reaffirm our principled position in defense of the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the countries in the region. We call upon the international community to provide consolidated support to the Confederation of the Sahel States, which through no choice of their own have found themselves at the forefront of the struggle against a growing terrorist threat. And we are convinced that this will be facilitated, inter alia, by constructive dialogue between the African Union and the Economic Community of the West African states with the Sahel trio— Sahel Troika. For our part, we will continue to make a constructive contribution to achieving stability in the region, and we will continue to provide assistance to the Sahel states on both a bilateral and multilateral basis, including in enhancing the combat capability of their national armed forces. I thank you for your attention.

I thank the representative of the Russian Federation for their statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Latvia.

Mr. President, I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Leonardo Santos-Chimão for his briefing, and I would like to make 3 points. First, terrorism in the Sahel is evolving faster than our collective response. And the Sahel remains among the world's most terrorism-affected regions, accounting for more than half of the terrorism-related deaths globally. And it is increasingly extending towards neighboring coastal states. And terrorist groups, including Janine and regional affiliates of the Islamic State, continue to expand their reach, deepen ties with organized crime networks, exploit porous borders, governance vacuum, socioeconomic vulnerabilities, and illicit trafficking and financial flows. Series of coordinated attacks across Mali have demonstrated the ability of these groups to strike simultaneously across multiple fronts. And similarly, repeated attacks targeting Myanmar International Airport within the 6 months of this year illustrate the capacity to conduct complex operations against strategic infrastructure, including in urban areas. Latvia condemns in the strongest terms the heinous terrorist attacks and stands in full solidarity with the peoples of West Africa and the Sahel. Alongside terrorism, ongoing violence and conflict, political instability and climate-related shocks have resulted in the displacement of 6.8 million people across the region, as we heard. Worsening humanitarian conditions and severely constrained access have deprived millions of life-saving assistance and left growing numbers of people increasingly vulnerable. Moreover, terrorist groups in the region are adapting their means of— and methods of attack, including through increased use of emerging technologies and commercial satellites. This extends their operational reach and enhances their ability to coordinate attacks across borders. It also facilitates terrorism financing through cryptocurrencies and spread of propaganda and disinformation. Countering terrorism in West Africa and the Sahel therefore requires stronger regional coordination supported by the United Nations and international partners, as well as practical cooperation among governments, civil society, and the private sector. It is essential to disrupt terrorist financing and criminal networks, strengthen border management, and improve intelligence sharing. And all counter-terrorism efforts should be grounded in respect for international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Second, it is essential to maintain dialogue despite political differences. Latvia welcomes recent efforts by ECOWAS, the African Union, and regional leaders to preserve channels of communication and rebuild trust. This includes ECOWAS' appointment of Lansana Goyete as Chief Negotiator for engagement with the countries of the AES, the African Union's strengthened engagement through its Mission in Mali and the Sahel, and efforts by Ghana and Togo to reopen dialogue between coastal and central Sahel states. We encourage Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to remain open to practical regional cooperation, including with ECOWAS and the African Union. Latvia reiterates its firm conviction that UNOWAS plays an indispensable role in facilitating political dialogue, strengthening regional cooperation, and advancing conflict prevention. And we strongly encourage all countries of the region to leverage UNOWAS as a vital platform for practical engagement on compounding security and governance challenges. And we're looking forward to the strategic review of UNOWAS conducted by Her Excellency Zerde. And third, investing in youth and women is one of the most effective ways to strengthen security over the long term. As around 65% of the Sahel's population is under the age of 30, young people must be empowered as agents of peace and resilience, rather than becoming targets of extremist recruitment. Developing education, livelihoods, effective institutions and local governance is an investment in long-term stability and resilience. It is providing opportunities and support for meaningful civic participation. So we welcome the fact that UNOWAS systematically integrates the WPS agenda because true security cannot be achieved without addressing the disproportionate impact of conflict on women and girls. Ensuring full, equal, and meaningful participation of women is an operational prerequisite for long-term stability. Finally, Mr. President, regional ownership backed by sustained international support remains the only path to lasting peace in the region. And the people of West Africa and the Sahel have demonstrated remarkable resilience So the Security Council must remain fully engaged, and we will together break the cycle of violence, and we're committed to that. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Latvia for the statement.

I now give the floor to the representative of Pakistan.

Thank you, President. I would like to thank Special Representative Smao. For his comprehensive briefing, which was structured around the 3 broad trends that he outlined. We appreciate the continued efforts of UNOWAS in fostering inclusive political dialogue, supporting preventive diplomacy, and promoting regional cooperation across West Africa and the Sahel. And we look forward to the forthcoming independent strategic review of UNOWAS. The SG's latest report presents a region that is facing complex challenges— political, security, humanitarian, socioeconomic, and more— while also highlighting positive developments such as the renewed effort at regional dialogue between ECOWAS and the Confederation of Sahel States and other initiatives aimed at strengthening regional cooperation. Against this backdrop, allow me to make 4 points. First, Pakistan affirms— reaffirms its steadfast commitment to the independence sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries of the region, and to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs of states. Pakistan's participation with Africa is longstanding, deep-rooted, and wide-ranging. Pakistan's peacekeepers have served with distinction across African continent, contributing to UN's peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts in various countries. We firmly believe that durable solutions entail national ownership, coordinated regional response, and constructive international engagement and support. In this vein, the discussions in this Council, in our view, could be more productive if there were enhanced participation by the countries of the region and the regional and sub-regional organizations, and we welcome the participation of Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso in today's meeting in that regard. The grave terrorist threat across West Africa and the Sahel, such as that exemplified by the coordinated terrorist attacks in Mali, attacks in Niger and elsewhere, remains a foremost concern, which also underscores the need for sustained regional and international cooperation.

Aimed at rebuilding trust and enhancing collective responses to shared challenges. Fourth, the international community must remain engaged in addressing the region's broader humanitarian and development challenges. Persistent funding shortfalls that continue to undermine humanitarian response must be addressed. A lasting peace and security is linked to sustainable development, resilient institutions, and expanded economic opportunities. President, let me conclude by reaffirming Pakistan's continued commitment to supporting all initiatives aimed at advancing peace and stability in this region. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Pakistan for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of the United Kingdom.

Merci, Président. I thank Special Representative Samaal for his informative briefing today. I'll make 3 points. First, we remain concerned by the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation across West Africa and the Sahel. We condemn the recent coordinated attacks in Mali, which demonstrates an alarming increase in the sophistication, coordination, and reach of terrorist and armed groups in the country. In addition, humanitarian needs across the region remain severe. As the Special Representative set out, approximately 6.8 million people remain displaced in the Sahel. We call for the full, safe, rapid, and unhindered humanitarian access access to those in need. The United Kingdom is supporting efforts through $232 million of assistance throughout the region. Second, we welcome the peaceful conduct of elections in Benin, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, and Guinea. However, we remain concerned about the lack of opposition participation, the shrinking of political and civic space, and the concentration of executive authority in parts of the region. Inclusive political processes, accountable institutions, and credible elections are essential to long-term stability. We encourage all actors to work with UNOWAS to support dialogue, uphold constitutional governance, and ensure transparent and inclusive political processes. Third, We welcome efforts to strengthen cooperation between ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States, including ECOWAS's appointment of a chief negotiator to help restore dialogue. We encourage continued engagement to rebuild trust and address shared challenges. Enhanced cooperation on counter-terrorism, border management, and organized crime is critical to improving regional security and stability. To conclude, President, the United Kingdom remains committed to working closely with UNOWAS and regional partners to support peace, stability, and prosperity across West Africa and the Sahel.

Thank you.

I thank the representative of the United Kingdom for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Colombia.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. I'd like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Mr. Ambassador. I would like to thank Mr. Leonardo Santos Chimal for his briefing, which reflects the multidimensional nature of the challenges facing the countries of West Africa and the Sahel. In this regard, I would like to highlight 4 points. First, the government of Colombia unequivocally condemns terrorism and violent extremism affecting millions of people in the region. In the light of actors which are ramping up their cross-border influence, which are using increasingly sophisticated methods and are even— even have the ability to impose blockades or control territories, dialogue, coordination, and cooperation are the only alternatives to effectively respond to these threats. In this regard, Colombia welcomes and encourages the efforts and initiatives undertaken to strengthen trust and the joint work between the countries of the region, this including the appointment by ECOWAS of Mr. Lansana Koyate as Chief Negotiator with the Alliance of Sahel States. Secondly, Colombia recognizes the various routes taken by the countries of West Africa and the Sahel towards peace and towards consolidating the rule of law. We reaffirm the centrality of constitutional processes and respect for human rights. The government of Colombia calls for no reversals of the progress made in a region which has witnessed the long-term benefits of peace, transitional justice, and reconciliation processes. In this context, Colombia expresses its concern at the restrictions on the exercise of civil and political rights. We highlight the importance of opening spaces for dialogue and participation for civil society and communities, particularly promoting the effective participation of women and young people. Along these lines, we note the exchange of experiences between peace— female peacebuilders from Colombia and West Africa and the Sahel. Colombia has in this council reiterated its readiness to inspire and contribute, drawing on our own experience, to peace efforts around the world. Third, Mr. President, It is essential to prioritize a holistic approach incorporating the dimensions of sustainable development, governance, human rights, and humanitarian action, attacking the root causes of violence. In this regard, Colombia expresses its concern at the complex humanitarian situation and calls for full respect for international norms prohibiting all forms of violence against the civilian population. In addition, the Government of Colombia underscores the exacerbating impact of climate change on the humanitarian situation, as well as the rise in intercommunity tensions and the effects on livelihoods. For this reason, we hail the efforts made by UNOWAS to promote water diplomacy in the region as a means of conflict prevention and of ensuring cross-border cooperation. In the same way, we highlight the importance of inclusive development policies meeting the differentiated needs of women, girls and young people who are disproportionately affected by conflicts across the region. We recognize, therefore, the efforts of the Office and countries in the region to advance in implementing the Women, Peace and Security and Youth, Peace and Security agendas since these are the best tools at our disposal to reduce vulnerabilities, guarantee rights and foster the participation of these population groups. At the same time, my delegation recognizes the difficulties arising from the limited fiscal space, and we echo the call of the Secretary-General to reform the international financial architecture. No country should have to choose between investing for the benefit of its population or serving burdensome debt. Fourth, and finally, Colombia highlights the importance of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel. The organization should maintain sustained political engagement, fully harnessing its convening power and supporting regional efforts to restore constitutional order and to rise to shared challenges. Colombia welcomes the renewal of the Office's mandate, and we stand ready to contribute to the forthcoming strategic assessment process. President, the Government of Colombia is well aware of the challenges of the lengthy and never-linear path to peace. We will decisively support regional efforts for the building and consolidation of sustainable peace in West Africa and the Sahel. Thank you very much.

I thank the representative of Colombia for that statement, and I now give the floor to the representative of Greece.

Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you for convening this meeting. I would like to thank the Special Representative, Mr. Leonardo Santos Simão, for his very detailed briefing. And we thank UNOWAS for its tireless work in a particularly difficult regional context.

And allow me to highlight 3 points. First, the security situation remains deeply concerning. The coordinated terrorist attacks in Mali last April marked a dangerous escalation, while continued attacks by Janine, ISGS, and Boko Haram across Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Benin reflect the growing operational capabilities of terrorist groups across the region. The attempted coup in Benin last December further exposed the fragility of the regional security environment. No country can confront these threats alone. Greece therefore welcomes the renewed momentum towards dialogue between ECOWAS and the Confederation of Sahel States and the appointment of Mr. Lansana Koyaté as chief negotiator. We also commend the progress towards operationalizing regional counterterrorism arrangements, including the ECOWAS Counterterrorism Force, as well as ECOWAS's decision to provide financial support to coastal States facing increasing terrorist spillover. We fully endorse the communiqué adopted by the ECOWAS Authority last December calling for renewed security cooperation with the Central Sahel and continued implementation of Security Council Resolution 2719 as a key framework for predictable and sustainable support to African Union-led peace support operations. Strengthened maritime security cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea, including through the Yaoundé Architecture, should complement these efforts, as security in the Central Sahel and the coastal states is increasingly interconnected. Second, on the political front, Greece welcomes the peaceful conclusion of the electoral processes in Benin and Cabo Verde. We particularly commend Cabo Verde for the election of the first woman to lead its parliament, an important milestone for inclusive governance. We also encourage continued preparations for the upcoming elections in Nigeria and The Gambia. Across the region, political transitions should remain anchored in transparent, inclusive, and peaceful electoral processes conducted in accordance with agreed timelines and with the participation of all relevant stakeholders. This remains particularly important in countries undergoing political transitions, including Guinea-Bissau, where dialogue and broad national ownership will be essential for restoring constitutional order and lasting stability. My third point is on human rights, humanitarian assistance, and climate resilience. Greece remains deeply concerned by the disproportionate impact of conflict on children, including attacks on schools, abductions and recruitment, and use of children by armed groups, and reiterates the importance of ensuring their protection and safe access to education. We remain equally concerned that women continue to face insecurity, sexual and gender-based violence, and barriers to political participation. While we welcome regional efforts to strengthen women's leadership, including ECOWAS's commitment to increase women's representation in elected bodies by 50% by 2035, much more remains to be done. Addressing these challenges also requires adequate humanitarian support. Yet, the Secretary-General reports that only 14% of the funding required for the 2026 humanitarian response has been received by the end of April. Bridging this funding gap is essential to assist the millions affected by conflict displacement, and food insecurity. At the same time, greater investment in climate resilience is essential to addressing the underlying drivers of instability that combine— compound existing security and humanitarian challenges. In closing, Mr. President, Greece remains committed to supporting the region through effective multilateral multilateralism and close partnership with the United Nations, the African Union, ECOWAS, and all regional stakeholders, firmly grounded in African ownership and African-led solutions in pursuit of lasting peace, security, and sustainable development. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Greece.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr.

President, my country would like to, from the very beginning, send its heartfelt congratulations to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We congratulate you on the quality of work you have— with which you've been steering the deliberations of the Council. You have full support Thank you. We also thank the Secretary-General for his report on the activities of UNOWAS.

We thank the Special Representative, Mr.

Leonardo Santos, for his constant commitment to peace and stability in West Africa and the Sahel. Mr. President, we take note with satisfaction of the peaceful elections in several countries in the region and the initiatives aimed at restoring dialogue, trust, and cooperation amongst West African states. My country welcomes, in this regard, the efforts made by ECOWAS, the African Union, and UNOWAS so as to bring about a rapprochement between the coastal and non-coastal states in the region. Given common challenges, the unity of action in our region is key. We host more than 105,000 refugees and asylum seekers who are fleeing insecurity regionally. And we remain concerned by the expansion and humanitarian consequences of the terrorist threat, the growing sophistication of attacks perpetrated, the use of drones and improvised explosive devices, and the links between armed groups and transnational criminal networks. We reaffirm the fact that fighting terrorism requires collective response based on the sharing of intelligence, cross-border cooperation, pooling of our capacity, and sustainable funding of the African Security Mechanism. Mr. President, the military response alone will not be enough. Poverty, youth unemployment, climate change, forced displacements, the lack of social services, and the growing burden of debt are all factors of fragility. We therefore think that it's necessary to have greater investment in prevention governance locally, the resilience of border areas, empowerment of the young people and women, and in the funding of humanitarian and development action. We also support the appeal launched by the Secretary-General for a reform of the international financial architecture. This is so to allow the countries in the region to spend a greater share of their resources on their people and the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals. Mr. President, Côte d'Ivoire reaffirms its support to the mandate of UNOWAS under UNOWAS's good offices. This is essential to prevent crises, promote dialogue, and accompany regional efforts for peace and stability. My country remains fully engaged and committed to a united, resilient, prosperous West Africa based on solidarity, mutual trust, and shared responsibility. Before concluding, Mr. President, my delegation would like I would like to, in a constructive spirit, clarify paragraph 7 of the report. The legislative elections of December 27th, 2025, in Côte d'Ivoire saw the participation of the main opposition political parties, with the exception of the African People's Party, PPACI, which chose not to take part in the election. My delegation would be grateful if the Secretariat could reflect this factual correction in the present report. I thank you, Mr.

President. I thank the representative of Côte d'Ivoire for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Burkina Faso.

Mr. President, since this is the first time that Burkina Faso is taking the floor during your presidency, I would like to express our Warm congratulations to you, and we wish you every success during your Security Council presidency this month. I would also like to express my thanks to Mr. Leonardo Shimao, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel. We thank him for his presentation of the report Likewise, we would like to thank all members of the Security Council, which here once again have condemned terrorist attacks in the Sahel and took the same opportunity to express their solidarity with the people of the Sahel. We are pleased to participate in this meeting so as to discuss the office's activities over the last. 4 months. We've taken good note of the content of the report, and we would like to, out of a concern of clarification, provide further information so as to further enlighten the Council. With regard to the security issues, we would like to highlight that Burkina Faso on a daily basis makes enormous efforts for its national security. The report states that the defense and security forces have indeed been strengthened in the country. These efforts have led to progress in reconquering our territory and have had significant impact on addressing terrorism, which is a struggle fought by Niger and Burkina Faso and our other brothers in the AES. We are therefore working on a joint military force in the AES. This bears out our common determination to address security challenges through specific, concrete military cooperation. Turning now to humanitarian concerns, we pay tribute to the resilience of the Sahel population, which with dignity faces the challenges before them. We welcome the efforts of humanitarian partners and thank them for their support. Burkina Faso will continue to make all necessary efforts to escort convoys and ensure security for humanitarian organizations in remote and hard-to-reach areas. In human rights now, the suspension and then the dissolution of associations at the national level mentioned in the report, far from being a setback in the promotion of human rights, seeks to further clean up the association space and enforce national law in this area. Relating to non-governmental organizations working in the humanitarian space are part of our same efforts as in the security area and cannot be interpreted as deliberate restrictive acts. We would like to assure the Council that in this regard, in taking these measures, We base our action on legislative texts and on addressing terrorism. We do this so as to protect the population and to ensure the survival of the nation under attack. President, dear members of the Council, we would like to pay tribute to all of the efforts made so as to draw up a very edifying report. Report, a report which allays tensions and strengthens trust between the U.N. and the countries concerned. For us, it's important for this report to lead to beneficial outcomes in our subregion. For countries such as ours, reading the internal situation should be done in light of a very disturbing— the very disturbing factor of terrorism. This speaks to the need to contextualize information so as to understand all of the nuances. We say this because some of the issues raised did not exist when our 3 countries did not face terrorism. This is terrorism which, as is— was underscored by the Special Representative, is further complicated through the use of sophisticated methods and drones. This indeed attests to the complicity between state bodies and these terrorist organizations which are plunging so many families into suffering. We hope that the Security Council will take all of these nuances into account in their reading of the prevailing situation in the Sahel. The population of the Sahel is already suffering from terrorism and shouldn't be forced to live through other tragedies, and it is in this context that we launch this appeal to the Security Council. President, dear members of the Council, as was well underscored by the Special Representative, there is currently in— there are currently in the region good efforts being made that should be encouraged so as to shore up trust between regional countries. We welcome this fresh development because it is only in this way that together we will be able to fight terrorism. Burkina Faso and countries of the Alliance of Sahel States have faith in the future. We have already undertaken this struggle and together with our people, We will continue to demonstrate great resilience. The Confederation and the Alliance is open to all dialogue, and we welcome all of the ongoing efforts, particularly the initiatives undertaken by Togo, the African Union, and of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel remains a tool to provide guidance and support to states and to undertake specific steps to ensure comprehensive security in our subregion. We hope that the views expressed today will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the situation in our subregion. Thank you.

I'd like to thank the representative of Burkina Faso for that statement. There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. I now invite Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussion on the subject. The meeting is adjourned.