The UN Security Council has agreed on a presidential statement on the situation in the Sahel and West Africa. This region is the area of activity of the UN regional office UNOWAS. Switzerland is co-leading this dossier with Sierra Leone. In February 2023, it was able to secure an extension of the UNOWAS mandate for a further three years.
What is a presidential statement?
A presidential statement is a formal statement by the Security Council, which is reached by consensus and read out by the respective Security Council chair. In such a statement, the Council expresses its opinion on a geographical situation or on a current peace or security policy issue. A presidential declaration can reaffirm elements of previous resolutions or serve to initiate future Security Council decisions.
The Presidential statement sends an important message from the Security Council for West Africa and the Sahel – a region that faces numerous challenges and is often low on the list of priorities in international fora. There has been no Security Council product on this region for almost three years. The adoption by consensus is the result of thorough work carried out by the elected states of the Security Council in several rounds of negotiations since the beginning of 2022. In the declaration, the Council expresses concern about security in the region as well as the humanitarian and political situation.
Security
The Presidential statement emphasises that the Security Council is aware of the difficult security situation in West Africa and the Sahel. Factors contributing to this are armed conflicts – with armed groups and, among others, those with links to international terrorist organisations, cross-border organised crime and climate change, which is hitting the region harder than average. In its declaration, the Security Council condemns the ongoing violations of international humanitarian law, including attacks on civilians and civilian objects. It calls for all actors to be held accountable for violations of international humanitarian law or human rights.
Political situation
In the declaration, the Security Council emphasises the progress that has been made in several countries to preserve and promote democracy, for example with the peaceful holding of elections, dialogue and reconciliation processes. However, the Council also expresses its concern about unconstitutional changes of government and attempted coups d'état, which are known to have an impact on peace and security in the region. It emphasises the importance of restoring constitutional order in the countries of the region that are undergoing a political transition process. Furthermore, the Council recognises the good work of UNOWAS in preventing conflicts and tensions and promoting peace and political stability.
Humanitarian situation
In the Presidential statement, the Security Council expresses its concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in some parts of the region, caused by conflict and exacerbated by other factors such as climate change. The consequences are increasing forced displacement, extreme poverty and a lack of food and water, social inequalities and violence. As co-leader and as part of its priority ‘Addressing climate security’, Switzerland has worked to ensure that this issue is given appropriate consideration. The Security Council calls for unhindered and rapid access to humanitarian and medical aid for all those in need, as well as ensuring access to education and healthcare.
Switzerland worked closely with the co-lead countries Ghana (2023) and Sierra Leone (2024) during the negotiations that ultimately led to the presidential declaration and was in dialogue with all Council members.
