A3+ JOINT STATEMENT ON UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR WEST AFRICA & THE SAHEL (UNOWAS)

  Delivered by

H. E. Dr. Michael Imran Kanu Ambassador / Permanent Representative at The United Nations Security Council Briefing on UNOWAS

7th August 2025

Mr. President,

1. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3+ members, namely Algeria, Guyana, Somalia, and my own country, Sierra Leone.

2. We thank the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Leonardo Santos Simão, and UN-Women Executive Director, Sima Sami Bahous, for their important and timely briefings. We also thank Ms. Addae-Mensah for her contribution.

3. We are deeply saddened by the tragic helicopter disaster in Ghana. At this difficult time, we offer our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, and to the Government and people of Ghana.

Mr. President,

4. As countries in the region continue to navigate complex transitions in governance, economic development, and national security, it is clear that community-led and inclusive peacebuilding efforts will be essential to long- term stability and resilience.

5. This is particularly critical at a time when the Secretary- General’s report, although reflecting progress, also reveals challenging trends in the region. We are witnessing a surge in terrorist and extremist violence, unprecedented in scale, intensity, and sophistication, perpetrated by the so-called Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

6. This has led to a disturbing rise in civilian casualties, disproportionately affecting women and children, and the destruction of civilian infrastructure, including health centres and schools. The growing threat of famine, the compounding effects of climate shocks, and the sustained high numbers of internally displaced persons and refugees paint a troubling picture. These trends demand urgent and coordinated action.

7. In light of the foregoing, the A3+ wishes to make the following points. First, we underscore the importance of intensifying diplomatic engagements to build and sustain political trust across the region. In this respect, we highlight the important role that ECOWAS plays in responding to security threats and advancing socio- economic and development goals.

8. We congratulate ECOWAS as it commemorates its 50th anniversary, and commend the Community for its ongoing efforts to promote peace, stability, and economic development in West Africa, including through support for peaceful political transitions and peacekeeping efforts. We recognize the leadership of His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and outgone Chair of ECOWAS, and warmly congratulate His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, on his assumption of the role of Chair of the ECOWAS Authority. We welcome President Bio’s commitment to prioritizing the revitalization of regional security cooperation, unlocking economic integration, and strengthening institutional credibility.

9. We also welcome bilateral exchanges by ECOWAS Member States with Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, which are most affected by terrorism. We take positive note of the appointment of Ghana's Special Envoy to the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and the joint military exercises undertaken with Togo and Chad.

10. The A3+ commends the efforts of ECOWAS and the AES countries to continue constructive dialogue. These efforts are vital to safeguarding the achievements of regional integration and the interests of the West African people.

11. We further welcome the deepening engagements between the African Union and ECOWAS on security cooperation and political dialogue in the region. We applaud the outcomes of the recent joint consultative meeting between the African Union Peace and Security Council and the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council. We call on Member States and relevant stakeholders to support and create platforms that strengthen ongoing diplomatic engagements and foster political trust across the region.

12. We also stress the importance of leveraging existing African mechanisms, in particular the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA) and the African Union Counter-Terrorism Centre (AUCTC), which are key instruments of the Union’s continental action. We further welcome the recent designation by the African Union Chairperson of a Special Envoy for the Sahel, which constitutes a major step toward a more structured, integrated, and coordinated continental response to the multidimensional challenges facing the region.

13. We furthermore emphasize the importance of cross- border security cooperation, and promote an approach based on strengthening national capacities, intelligence-sharing, and coordinated surveillance of common borders.

Mr. President,

14. To our second point, we emphasize the need to shift political will into operational reality in counter-terrorism efforts in the region. We commend ECOWAS for demonstrating political leadership in advancing the ECOWAS Counter-Terrorism Strategy and taking steps to enhance the operational effectiveness of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and Accra initiative.

15. While notable progress has been made in promoting a unified and coordinated response, significant challenges remain. Insecurity continues to persist, particularly in light of evolving trends in terrorism. Coordinated attacks by groups such as JNIM and ISGS converging with international trafficking networks and organized criminal activities pose a multidimensional threat. Terrorist groups continue to acquire sophisticated weaponry and leverage advanced technologies, including the use of unmanned aerial systems and anti- aircraft capabilities, which indicate external financing and support.

16. In this context, we stress the need to strengthen operational synergy and work towards the development of a shared regional strategy, owned by all States of the region. In this regard, we underline the urgency of achieving a common strategic vision in the fight against terrorism, based on clearly defined objectives, aligned regional priorities, and enhanced coordination among the various security platforms.

17. We welcome the recent convening of the Informal Interactive Dialogue by the Council on enhancing regional counter-terrorism cooperation, and underscore the importance of national ownership and respect for sovereignty, regional cooperation, and international support, including for predictable, adequate, and sustainable financing.

18. The A3+ calls for the full implementation, without further delay, of Security Council Resolution 2719 with respect to the counterterrorism enforcement and urges Member States to uphold obligations relevant to the prevention and suppression of the financing of terrorism, including those in Resolutions 1373 (2001) and 2462 (2019).

Mr. President,

19. Our third point focuses on the progress of development and peacebuilding initiatives as a pathway to sustainable peace. We welcome the progress achieved by Member States, including the reported economic growth in Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, Senegal, Nigeria, and Ghana, as well as governance reforms in Togo, Ghana, and Nigeria. We also commend the steps taken toward good governance and conflict resolution in Liberia, Senegal, and Mauritania, while acknowledging continued development efforts in Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau.

20. These developments can only be sustained in a peaceful subregion. We further urge Member States to respect internationally recognized borders and the sovereignty of States and affirm efforts by the Mano River Union Secretariat and ECOWAS in addressing the unlawful occupation by Guinean troops of Yenga, a Sierra Leonean territory.

21. We also recognize the potential of youth, who make up 65% of the region’s population, and welcome national efforts to advance youth empowerment within the Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) agenda at the national level in Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, and Benin.

22. The A3+ remains gravely concerned by persistent reports of widespread human rights violations and emphasizes that efforts to improve governance must not be treated separately from efforts to enhance security. Inclusive governance, constitutional order, and the rule of law are not only complementary to peace but are essential tools for building institutional resilience and reducing the conditions in which violent extremism can thrive. We urge all Member States to exercise restraint, particularly in actions targeting civil society actors, journalists, and members of the political opposition.

Mr. President,

23. On our fourth point, the worsening humanitarian conditions, large-scale displacement, and escalating tensions among communities present a grave threat to regional stability. Climate-related shocks, such as floods and droughts, further compound existing vulnerabilities. The A3+ calls for urgent intervention, cautioning against inaction and the risks of allowing the humanitarian situation to fester.

24. We commend the Secretary-General's approval of the $7 million cross-border initiative to strengthen water management, climate resilience, and peacebuilding in the border areas of Mali, Mauritania, and Senegal. We also call on the authorities to improve humanitarian access and identify pathways to ensure that much- needed assistance reaches the most vulnerable populations, including in areas under the control of non-state actors.

25. In closing, Mr. President, the A3+ commends SRSG Simão and the UNOWAS office for their outstanding contributions. SRSG Simão’s good offices have been instrumental in building bridges for diplomatic engagement and facilitating political solutions. His role in coordinating technical support and mobilising resources has been critical in accelerating progress and sustaining cooperation across the region. We express our full support for the UNOWAS mandate and commend the ingenuity and commitment shown in navigating resource constraints while addressing a broad geographic scope and a wide range of diverse and interlinked issues.

26. Finally, the A3+ reaffirms its unwavering commitment to supporting Member States of the West Africa and the Sahel subregion and the regional mechanisms in their efforts to combat terrorism, rebuild political trust, and advance inclusive socioeconomic development, as essential pillars for consolidating peace and sustaining progress.

I thank you.