UNSC members wrap up visit in Sahel

Ambassadors of the UN Security Council (UNSC) member-states wrapped up on Monday a four-day visit to the Sahel and Sahara region during which they assessed the security situation and the backing needed to face any terrorist threats.

Under the French presidency, the Security Council members visited the G5 Sahel States this week.

An appeal by Sahel region countries for help in their battle against jihadist violence received a boost Sunday when a visiting UN Security Council ambassador pledged support.

“I can assure you Burkina Faso and the G5 Sahel Countries will get the support they need,” said Ethiopian ambassador Tekeda Alemu, who co-presided with his French and Italian colleagues in the 15-strong UN delegation ending a four-day visit to the region.

The trip came on the initiative of France, which is presiding over the UN Security Council this month.

The so-called “G5 Sahel” states — comprising Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger — are to launch a first operation against the jihadists at the end of October but lack funding for equipment and training.

Earlier Sunday, the ambassadors had visited the command headquarters in the central Malian town of Sevare for talks on the security crisis in the region.

G5 is a regional grouping composed of Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Chad. Such countries are experiencing a security crisis since 2005, the year of the first major Western hostage-taking and the year of major armed attacks against the national security forces. The Sahel is also a transit area where various trafficking, especially in drugs, cigarettes and human beings, has gradually become widespread.

It is frequent for the Security Council, the UN most important body, to undertake fields' visits to learn more about a crisis before returning to New York with more ideas for possible solutions. Specifically, at the beginning of the 2,000 decade, the Council had made well publicized trips to countries ravaged by violent civil wars: Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia and Sierra Leone. All are countries where the United Nations had invested massively for peace through the deployment of peacekeeping troupes and humanitarian assistance. Countries that are now rather stable, which gives hope for the Sahel.

Source : Mena