UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Tuesday welcomed positive developments in several West African countries, but expressed its serious concern over the challenging security situation in the region.
In a presidential statement presented by Kairat Umarov, Security Council President for January, the 15-member organ expressed full support to the Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, Mohamed ibn Chambas. The Sahel is the ecoclimatic and biogeographic zone of transition in Africa between the Sahara to the north and the Sunadian Savanna to the south.
Welcoming renewed impetus to the implementation of the UN integrated strategy for the Sahel, the Council emphasized the need for national stakeholders to work together "to prepare and hold peaceful, transparent and credible elections with a level playing field for all candidates and greater participation of women."
It welcomed the peaceful conduct of the 2017 elections in Liberia and acknowledged "the importance of maintaining international attention on that country" after the withdrawal of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) on March 30, stressing the role of the Peacebuilding Commission in that regard.
At the same time, the Council reiterated its concern over the situation in Guinea-Bissau, calling upon its political leaders to complete implementation of the Conakry Accord without further delay.
It also noted with concern the situation in Togo and welcomed regional efforts to identify a way forward through dialogue.
On the security situation in West Africa and the Sahel, it noted the threats posed by asymmetric terrorist attacks, maritime piracy and transnational organized crime, including trafficking in persons, arms, drugs and natural resources, which could be interlinked.
Through the presidential statement, Council members welcomed the leadership shown by countries in West Africa and the Sahel in spearheading initiatives to address security challenges, and commended efforts by the African Union, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Member States in the region to strength border security and regional cooperation.
Turning to trafficking in persons, the Council reaffirmed its condemnation in the strongest terms of that practice in all instances. It reiterated the need to ensure coherence in UN efforts to address the problem and recognized the need to keep working towards an enhanced, comprehensive and coordinated approach.
It also encouraged further cooperation between the European Union, the African Union and the Organization, particularly within the Joint Task Force.
Expressing its intention to monitor progress in West Africa and the Sahel, it requested the Secretary-General to continue to provide information on efforts being made by UNOWAS.
