Rédaction Africa Links 24 with AZ Africa Links 24
Published on 2024-03-20 16:29:33
Sahel-Russia-UN-Normalization
For Moscow, normalization in the Sahel region requires the support of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger
Ouagadougou, March 20 (Africa Links 24/TASS) – Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin, who held consultations with the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Santos Simao, noted that normalization in the Sahel-Saharan region requires international support from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“Leonardo Santos Simao was particularly drawn to the fact that lasting normalization in the Sahel-Saharan region requires consolidated international support from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, which are at the forefront of the fight against trans-African terrorism and are defending their own sovereignty.”
The parties exchanged views on the situation in West Africa and the Sahel, “focusing on humanitarian, social, and economic challenges, uncontrolled migration, the lack of necessary resources for development, integration processes, including the activities of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Alliance of Sahel States (ASS).”
They also reviewed the work of UNOWAS aimed at strengthening stability, increasing confidence, and addressing a wide range of issues in West Africa and the Sahel. “Moscow expressed its support for the efforts of the Office and stated the importance of deploying them in a neutral and constructive manner in the interest of all countries in the region,” the statement added.
Burkina News Agency
In order to achieve lasting normalization in the Sahel-Saharan region, it is crucial for Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to receive consolidated international support. These countries are at the forefront of combating trans-African terrorism and safeguarding their own sovereignty. The meeting between Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin and UNOWAS Special Representative Leonardo Santos Simao focused on the challenges facing the region, including humanitarian, social, and economic issues, as well as uncontrolled migration and the lack of essential resources for development.
The discussions also touched on the integration processes within the region, including the activities of ECOWAS and ASS. The parties also discussed the efforts of UNOWAS to enhance stability, build trust, and address various issues in West Africa and the Sahel. Moscow expressed its support for these efforts and emphasized the importance of conducting them in a neutral and constructive manner for the benefit of all countries in the region.
The support of international partners is essential in achieving lasting peace and stability in the Sahel region. The joint efforts of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, along with the support of the international community, will be crucial in addressing the challenges posed by terrorism and safeguarding the sovereignty of these countries.
Read the original article(French) on Agence d’Information du Burkina
