UN Deputy Sec. Gen. pledges support for Sahel region

Alpha Kamara

Dakar, Senegal (AA) - The Deputy UN Secretary General pledged support Friday for the Sahelian countries faced with terrorism and other natural disasters in moving towards stability.

According to a communiqué issued by the UN Office in West Africa, UNOWAS, Amina Mohamed made the commitment in Dakar during a high level UN Steering Committee of the Integrated Strategy for the Sahel (SINUS) that attracted senior UN regional heads including the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General Ambassador Dr. Mohamed Ibun Chambas.

“The achievement of peace and sustainable development in the Sahel can only be done by supporting Sahelian governments in their efforts to address the root causes of conflict and the multidimensional challenges facing the region. The UN will align its action with the needs and priorities identified by the Sahel states through an integrated and comprehensive approach, while placing the 2030 Agenda at the heart of United Nations action."

"The international community should give priority attention to investment in medium- and long-term development to meet the needs of the Sahel region in order to ensure that non-conflict development paths in the sub-regions are fully supported through the economic resilience of communities and the capabilities of States." Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohamed noted.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Dr. Mohamed Ibun Chambas, who chaired the steering meeting, said the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel (SINUS) working group on the Sahel was established in early July 2017 by the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

UNOWAS Chief Dr. Mohamed Ebun Chambas said, “The SINUS Steering Committee with the participation of the UN Deputy Secretary General reflects

the UN's determination and mobilization for the Sahel which is in dire need of help”.