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The Chairperson of the African Union Commission addresses the United Nations Security Council on the G5 Sahel Joint Force

This afternoon, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, addressed, by videoconference, a ministerial meeting of the United Nations Security Council devoted to the consideration of the report of the United Nations Secretary-General on the G5 Sahel Joint Force.

In his statement, the Chairperson of the Commission stressed that the Council’s meeting was a testament to the increasing attention being paid to the situation prevailing in the Sahelo-Saharan region by the international community. He paid tribute to the G5 countries, which, despite the limited means available to them and the multiplicity of challenges facing them, have provided ample evidence of their willingness to lead the fight against terrorism and transnational organized crime. He stressed that, in the name of the solidarity that binds us together, there is a clear imperative for the international community to help this initiative. He emphasized that this is in our collective best interests, adding that what is at stake is not only the security of the Sahel countries, but also that of many other regions of our globe, as the scourge in question knows no borders.

Recalling the communiqué of the Peace and Security Council meeting of 13 April 2017, which endorsed the Joint Force's strategic concept of operations and authorized its deployment for an initial period of 12 months, the Chairperson of the Commission reiterated the request for predictable and sustainable support, adding that « in the face of the terrorist threat and the risk it poses to the stability of the entire region, we cannot satisfy ourselves with half-measures”.

The Chairperson of the Commission underscored the commitment of the African Union to continue working closely with the G5, including through sharing its experience in counter-insurgency in Somalia, the reactivation of the Nouakchott Process, and sustained advocacy to mobilize the required resources. 

The Chairperson of the Commission stressed that the efforts of the G5 Joint Force must be accompanied by an acceleration of the implementation process of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali, as well as by sustained steps towards development and governance.

The Chairperson of the Commission paid tribute to the Secretary-General, noting that his report and the recommendations contained therein on support to the G5 are further evidence of his determination to spare no efforts to adapt the United Nations in order to effectively respond to today’s security challenges. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union Peace and Security Department.