Leonardo Santos Simão, highlighted upcoming presidential elections in Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau, and the adoption of constitutional reforms amid a strained political surroundings in Gambia.
He additionally recommended current profitable elections in Ghana and Senegal, noting the signing of a “Peace Pact” by all presidential candidates in Ghana and the graceful switch of energy following orderly concessions by political rivals.
In Senegal, electoral observer missions highlighted the transparency of the method and the belief positioned by political events in nationwide establishments, he added.
“These two elections reveal progress in democracy within the area,” Mr. Simão stated.
Challenges stay
Nevertheless, a number of nations within the area – together with Ghana and Senegal – proceed to face important financial challenges.
“They’ll require help to handle rising debt and implement initiatives that shield livelihoods, in any other case their democratic beneficial properties could fail to fulfill the expectations of the populations, specifically amongst ladies and the youth,” Mr. Simão warned.
He additionally urged efforts to prioritise preventive diplomacy and dialogue within the area, whereas emphasising he stays centered on fostering mutual understanding and inspiring widespread floor with all stakeholders.
“Whereas the constructive outcomes of those engagements are gradual, there are promising indicators of elevated collaboration on people-centred, pragmatic options to the area’s safety, governance, humanitarian and socio-economic challenges,” he added.
Escalating safety threats
Insecurity stays probably the most pressing concern, with terrorist teams changing into more and more aggressive and utilising subtle weaponry, together with drones. Latest assaults within the Central Sahel have claimed many lives, affecting civilians and safety personnel alike.
Past the Sahel, violent extremism and arranged crime have begun to spill into Gulf of Guinea nations, comparable to Benin and Togo, threatening extra regional destabilisation.
The cessation of operations by the G5-Sahel Joint Pressure and the restructuring of the Accra Initiative, spotlight the pressing have to reinvigorate regional safety mechanisms, Mr. Simão stated.
He known as for elevated help for the Multinational Joint Activity Pressure (MNJTF), the one functioning safety platform within the Lake Chad Basin, which is struggling to counter more and more well-equipped terrorist teams.
Humanitarian disaster deepens
The humanitarian state of affairs within the area additionally stays difficult.
Chad, internet hosting two million refugees and internally displaced individuals (IDPs) – together with these fleeing the violence in Sudan – is grappling with the twin challenges of displacement and extreme flooding.
In Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria, escalating violence has displaced hundreds of thousands, whereas underfunded humanitarian appeals go away many susceptible.
“I urge companions to contribute to the humanitarian enchantment, which stays lower than 50 p.c funded,” Mr. Simão stated.
Withdrawal from ECOWAS
He additionally briefed Council members of the Summit of the Financial Group of West African States (ECOWAS) final week, the place leaders took word of the choice by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to withdraw from the bloc.
Whereas formal withdrawal proceedings are anticipated to start in late January 2025, ECOWAS leaders additionally prolonged a six-month window for dialogue, in case rapprochement is feasible.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Information.