The Future of Peace and Stability in the Sahel.
The Mozambican Leonardo Simão, the new envoy of the United Nations (UN) to West Africa and the Sahel, arrived this Thursday, June 1, 2023, in Africa, with the mission of promoting peace in a region marked by terrorism. The goals of his mandate involve reaching out to regional actors and civil society in the affected area.
Cooperation with Regional Assets
Driven by the desire to stimulate national and regional efforts for stabilization, Leonardo Simão, began his mandate this Thursday. Speaking to UN News in New York, he said he would work more closely with existing organizations in the region marked by terrorism.
The Mozambican diplomat said he had regional actors and civil society in joint efforts involving the entire African continent, including Portuguese-speaking countries.
“I do this because I believe it is possible to achieve. In the past, West Africa was a zone of peace and stability”.
“Now it is going through a period of turmoil. I think that with a little external support this previous situation can be restored”.
The Spread of Terrorism
The United Nations expresses concern about the spread of terrorist groups, due to the increasing flow of fighters, funds and weapons, in particular in the Sahel region. Leonardo Simão reinforces the need for greater dialogue between the parties involved in order to find a way forward.
“The spread of terrorist groups worries the United Nations for “fighters, funds and weapons increasingly flowing between regions and across the continent”.
“I believe in restoring peace and stability as it existed in the past. Despite the current turmoil, I believe that with external support it is possible to reverse this scenario”, he declared.
The West African region and the Sahel face interlinked crises at unprecedented levels. Conflicts, hunger, malnutrition, disease, mass displacement and collapsing economies are some of the problems compounded by climate change.
Flow of fighters, funds and weapons
In addition to being the special representative for West Africa and the Sahel, Leonardo Simão is expected to lead the United Nations Office and the Cameroon-Nigeria Joint Commission. His appointment was in May.
The spread of terrorist groups worries the United Nations for “fighters, funds, and weapons increasingly flowing between regions and across the continent”. New alliances are forged between these groups, organized crime and those involved in piracy, according to a recent report by the Secretary General.
The UN participates in stabilization efforts in the Sahel and the Lake Chad basin, providing technical assistance to affected countries, including in the areas of prevention, legal support, investigations, prosecutions, reintegration, rehabilitation and protection of human rights.
An opportunity to reinforce current partnerships comes in the organization of the African Counterterrorism Summit, scheduled for October, in Nigeria.
The role of the UN
The United Nations (ONU) plays a multidimensional role in West Africa and the Sahel, with the aim of promoting peace, stability and justice in the region and has assumed a prominent role in the quest for stabilization in the region.
Facing a series of complex interconnected challenges, the UN has sought effective ways to assist affected countries.
One of the UN intervention mechanisms is technical assistance, a crucial element in supporting these countries. This assistance encompasses a variety of areas, from advising on public policy, to providing technical expertise to help countries develop their institutional capacities.
Legal support is another sphere of action of the UN, which helps to ensure that laws and regulations comply with international norms and standards. This type of support can include assistance in drafting legislation, training legal professionals and strengthening law enforcement institutions.
The UN also engages in investigative activities, essential to establishing the truth and ensuring accountability for wrongdoing. These investigations can cover a wide range of issues, from human rights abuses to war crimes.
Reintegration and rehabilitation are two other important components of the UN's work in the region. Reintegration involves helping individuals to return to being productive members of society, while rehabilitation can involve psychosocial support, medical care and help to regain lost skills.
Last but not least, the UN is committed to protecting human rights. This commitment manifests itself in a variety of ways, from monitoring and denouncing human rights violations to supporting the implementation of policies and practices that promote and protect human rights.
Conclusion
Leonardo Simão's inauguration marks the beginning of a new phase in the struggle for peace and stability in West Africa and the Sahel. His determination and his faith in dialogue and cooperation could be crucial to change the current scenario.
What do you think of this nomination? Do you think Leonardo Simão will make the difference? We want to know your opinion, do not hesitate to comment and if you liked the article share it to help raise awareness of the situation in West Africa and the Sahel. Join us in promoting a peaceful future for the region. And don't forget, give the article a "like".
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Picture: © 2023 UN News
