Leonardo Santos Simão, head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), told the Security Council that by “abandoning ECOWAS” the three military-led governments would give up “important benefits” including regional integration, freedom of movement, security cooperation and an integrated regional economy, which would harm both themselves and the remaining ECOWAS members.
The three transitional governments severed ties with ECOWAS after senior officers carried out military takeovers in 2021, 2022 and 2023 respectively.
Military leaders have therefore “delayed the return to constitutional rules and stoked fears of prolonged uncertainty,” while civic space “continues to shrink,” the UN special representative said.
Instability in the Sahel
The transitional regimes have only exacerbated instability in the already fragile and vast Sahel region, which is characterised by increasing insecurity, worsening humanitarian crises and slow economic growth, exacerbated by political fragility, he said.
About seven million people have been displaced within West African countries or have fled across borders, and these numbers are only increasing.
In addition, civilians are facing widespread lack of electricity, closure of health centers and the closure of more than 8,000 schools, leaving hundreds of thousands of children without access to education and undermining the foundations of regional development.
Mr Simão noted in his speech that it remains “deeply worrying” that the humanitarian response plan launched by the UN is only around 15 percent funded.
Emerging Democratic Practices
On a more optimistic note, amid major challenges, Mr Simão highlighted the remarkable steps taken by some West African countries towards robust democratic frameworks.
He praised Mauritania, Senegal, Ghana and Liberia for their recent successful presidential elections, particularly the women who ran for president in Senegal, despite the low representation of female leaders in West Africa.
Mr. Simão also stressed the persistence of justice and accountability at the heart of many regional conflicts. The ongoing trial in Guinea over the brutal military repression of 15 years ago, for example, “exposes deep societal divisions and the desire for justice and reconciliation.”
Meanwhile, in Liberia, the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court, more than two decades after the end of the civil war, is serving as “a vehicle for national healing and renewing the fabric of society.”
Cameroon and Nigeria’s decision last month to pursue a plan to resolve border disputes within the framework of the Cameroon-Nigeria Joint Commission, chaired by Mr Simão himself, rather than referring back to the International Court of Justicewas also praised.
‘Staying the course’
Finally, against a backdrop of instability, the Special Representative confirmed that UNOWAS “will continue to stay the course.”
“I will continue to advocate for democratic principles and practices, build consensus, promote good governance and insist on respect for human rights and humanitarian principles.,” he said.
He also pledged that UNOWAS would continue to build resilience to increasingly volatile climate conditions that undermine food security and to inter-community conflicts, and to harness the power of women in public life and the empowerment of youth.
“I can assure you that the United Nations is still seen as an important savior in these challenging times.“Because the peoples of the region expect us to embody the values of humanity, neutrality and impartiality,” Mr Simão concluded.
Watch here how the Special Representative briefs the media after the Council meeting: