STATEMENT DELIVERED BY H.E. AMBASSADOR MOHAMED EDREES ON THE BRIEFING ON THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS FOR SECURITY COUNCIL SANCTIONS EXPERT GROUPS

  Delivered by H.E. Mohamed Edrees

Head of Mission to the Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union to the United Nations

25th February 2026

Dear Colleagues,

Good morning and welcome to the Nelson Mandela Hall of your African House. I wish to extend a warm welcome to Ms. Michi Ebata, Chief of the Security Council Subsidiary Organs Branch, and to thank her and her team for accepting our invitation to brief the African Group on the recruitment process for the expert groups supporting Security Council Sanctions Committees.

As Ms. Ebata will elaborate in greater detail, these expert panels and monitoring teams perform critical functions — from monitoring arms embargoes and targeted sanctions to investigating violations and advising the Council on compliance. A substantial number of the sanctions regimes currently in place concern situations on the African continent, including the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya, Mali, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan. The work of these experts directly shapes Council decision-making on matters of consequence to African States and African peoples. It is therefore essential that qualified African professionals are well represented among their ranks.

This is precisely why we have convened today’s briefing. We wish to demystify the recruitment process, to ensure that our Member States are fully aware of the opportunities available, and above all, to attract a wider and more competitive pool of viable African candidates for current and future positions. I encourage each of you to engage actively in the discussion that follows, and to share the information from today’s session as widely as possible with your capitals and professional networks.

Ms. Ebata, you have the floor.