S/PV.9974 Security Council

In accordance with article 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following briefers to participate in this meeting: Mr. Leonardo Santos Simão, Special Representative of the Secretary- General for West Africa and the Sahel and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel; Ms. Sima Sami Bahous, Executive Director of UN- Women; and Ms. Levinia Addae-Mensah, Executive Director of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2025/495, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the activities of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel. I now give the floor to Mr. Simão.

I have the honour to present the report of the Secretary-General on the activities of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) (S/2025/495). I congratulate Panama on its presidency of the Council and wish it every success. I would also like to welcome Ms. Sima Sami Bahous, Executive Director of UN- Women, and pay tribute to the considerable work accomplished by UN-Women in the subregion. I also welcome Ms. Levinia Addae-Mensah, Executive Director of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding. (spoke in English) The security situation in the region remains of paramount concern. On 1 July, terrorist groups launched attacks on seven locations across western and central Mali, marking a significant escalation in jihadist activity in western Mali. Although Malian security forces repelled those attacks, they have nonetheless sparked fear among local communities, truck drivers and traders and uncertainty about the normal flow of economic activities and the daily livelihood of populations. As the spillover to coastal States has been happening, now the concern is its spread. In northern Benin, in April, two terrorist attacks reportedly claimed the lives of dozens of soldiers. In Togo, on 9 April, armed jihadist militants carried out a drone attack on a forward post of the Togolese armed forces in northern Togo. Several soldiers were reportedly injured. In Nigeria, Boko Haram is resurgent, while other groups, such as Lakurawa, have intensified operations in the northern region. In Borno State in May, the Islamic State West Africa Province targeted a Nigerian Army battalion. In a separate incident, armed actors allegedly killed 57 civilians across two communities. In some of the central states of the country, insecurity remains a serious concern. In Benue State, intercommunal clashes, including clashes pitting farmers against herders, have resulted in more than 250 civilian deaths between April and June. Growing insecurity compounds an already dire humanitarian situation. According to our colleagues in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 12.8 million people are projected to face acute food insecurity this lean season, and 2.6 million children are expected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition this year. Critically, only 14 per cent of funding for the 2025 humanitarian needs and response plan for the Sahel region has been received. Resource mobilization is urgently needed to save the lives of millions of people at risk. Likewise, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees warns of a massive displacement crisis. Millions of people fleeing across borders are stretching the capacities of already vulnerable host communities. For example, Mauritania’s Mbera refugee camp now hosts more than 100,000 refugees, making it the country’s largest city in terms of population. Climate change continues to exacerbate these dynamics. Recent floods highlight the region’s growing vulnerability to climate-related shocks. (spoke in French) In order to tackle the threat of terrorism, the member countries of the Confederation of Sahel States — namely, Burkina Faso, Mali and the Niger — have set up a joint defence force and established common structures in three areas: defence and security, diplomacy and development. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Confederation of Sahel States are beginning to work together to find pragmatic solutions to their common challenges. On 22 May, the first official high-level consultations between ECOWAS and the Confederation of Sahel States took place in Bamako. On 19 July in Accra, the ECOWAS specialized agency, the Intergovernmental Action Group against Money-Laundering in West Africa, agreed to admit the countries of the Confederation of Sahel States as non-affiliated members of ECOWAS. During my recent visits to the Central Sahel States and in the context of my engagements with ECOWAS, Mauritania and other partners, I have stressed the importance of dialogue, confidence-building and cooperation, systematically offering my good offices and the facilitating role of UNOWAS to bridge divisions and forge consensual approaches. I was recently in Freetown, where I met President Julius Maada Bio in his new role as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, and I look forward to supporting his efforts and those of ECOWAS to improve security collaboration across the region. I also welcome the joint commitment of ECOWAS and the African Union to establish a joint threat fusion and analysis cell within the framework of the African Union-ECOWAS counter-terrorism coordination platform. The implementation of resolution 2719 (2023) provides a means for the United Nations to support African Union-led peace operations in the region and to limit the devastating impact of the activities of terrorist and armed groups. The Security Council’s continued advocacy will be crucial in this regard. (spoke in English) Despite serious challenges, we have reasons to celebrate the democratic dividends in the region. During the events marking the fiftieth anniversary of ECOWAS in Lagos, Nigeria, on 22 April, I witnessed the organization’s commitment to strengthening governance and regional integration, taking full account of the In Senegal, inclusive national consultations forged consensus on institutional reforms. In Sierra Leone, stakeholders continue to implement the Agreement for National Unity. In Ghana, the work of the National Peace Council stands as a model for national dialogue and conflict prevention. In Liberia, we praise the commitment to normalize the functioning of the Constitution after the impasse in the Parliament. In the months ahead, elections are scheduled in three countries. In Guinea, I welcome the commitment of the authorities to hold elections before the end of year, following a constitutional referendum in September. Ahead of Côte d’Ivoire’s presidential elections in October, I plan to visit the country again to build on my previous engagements with the main stakeholders and to continue close coordination with ECOWAS, the African Union and other key partners in order to promote conditions for peaceful elections. I am also engaging with ECOWAS, regional leaders and international partners regarding the forthcoming elections in Guinea-Bissau, and I am confident that the elections will be peaceful. I encourage stakeholders in Mauritania to use the upcoming national dialogue to strengthen governance and build national cohesion. Similarly, I call upon stakeholders in Togo to engage constructively to overcome differences that have triggered protests leading to the loss of lives, which we regret. I am concerned about shrinking civic and political space in some countries in the region, in which there have also been reports of unlawful detentions, torture and enforced disappearances. Strengthening national and regional mechanisms to combat impunity is essential. I would like to take this opportunity to note the establishment by the Alliance of Sahel States of a criminal court in Bamako, aimed at addressing war crimes, serious human rights violations, terrorism and crimes against humanity — a step that underscores commitment to justice and peace. UNOWAS continues to support the development of flagship projects in the Central Sahel, which are cornerstones for the implementation of the United Nations integrated strategy for the Sahel. These projects, co-created with the Governments of Burkina Faso, Mali and the Niger, are designed to address the key drivers of conflict and instability through people-focused approaches. In the context of the Secretary- General’s UN80 Initiative, they are also an example of system-wide United Nations collaboration across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. I wish to reiterate my call for water resources to be harnessed as peace and development accelerators, namely through the finalization and implementation of the Sahel regional action plan on water. The region’s economy remains highly vulnerable to external shocks. Although macroeconomic indicators show improvement, rising debt levels continue to constrain Governments’ capacities to provide essential services. I therefore welcome the introductions of debt swaps and other innovative financial instruments as effective tools to better manage and alleviate the region’s debt burden. Regarding the women and peace and security and youth, peace and security agendas, which the Council has set as a priority, I am glad to report that all countries in the region have national action plans on resolution 1325 (2000), and several have made progress through legal reforms, gender strategies and institutional changes. Yet despite these gains, gaps remain. Women remain underrepresented in peace processes, political parties, decision-making organs and security institutions. Economic exclusion, insecurity and discriminatory norms persist, while many national action plans remain underfunded. This is indeed the major stumbling block for the implementation of women’s involvement in governance processes. UNOWAS is expanding its collaboration with UN-Women through initiatives, which include my Allow me to conclude by highlighting the progress achieved by the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission to resolve the final areas of disagreement. As we move towards an exit strategy, the Commission is an example of the role of international mechanisms in supporting peacebuilding and regional cooperation. We hope that this will inspire similar situations.

I thank Mr. Simão for the information that he provided to us. I now give the floor to Ms. Bahous. Ms. Bahous: Let me begin by commending Panama for ensuring that this discussion spotlights the rights and realities of women and girls in the Sahel, where the world’s gravest concerns converge: terrorism, coups, environmental collapse, poverty, hunger, dwindling development financing, shrinking humanitarian access, a weakening multilateral system and a declining United Nations presence on the ground. Women and girls of the Sahel bear the brunt — abduction, early forced marriage, genital mutilation and lack of access to education or livelihoods. I will highlight how five of these overlapping crises land specifically, violently and disproportionately on the bodies of women and girls and on their futures. Some of the data that I will present draws on recent briefings shared by the United Nations Special Coordinator for Development in the Sahel. The first is terrorism. No region is more affected. Life for women and girls under terrorist control is one of erasure from public space. Their freedom, movement and appearance are policed and restricted. In the Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, more than 1 million girls are out of school because of attacks or threats. Abduction is not a by-product of terrorism in the Sahel; it is a tactic. In Burkina Faso alone, the number of women and girls abducted rose by more than 218 per cent last year. Across the wider region, 60 per cent of out-of-school girls have never set foot in a classroom. When a girl loses her education, she becomes vulnerable to mutilation, early marriage, early pregnancy and trafficking. In Mali, the Niger, Chad and Burkina Faso, child marriage rates rank among the highest in the world. Female genital mutilation affects 90 per cent of women in Mali and 76 per cent in Burkina Faso. Maternal mortality, itself driven by early pregnancy and poverty, is tragically among the highest anywhere on earth. The second is poverty. As violence displaces families and shutters markets, women’s livelihoods vanish and household resilience collapses. Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali and the Niger are in the bottom 10 countries globally on the Human Development Index and the Gender Development Index. The third is food insecurity. Levels nearly doubled this summer, compared to just 18 months ago. Droughts are growing harsher, with heat-related mortality expected to increase fourfold in the region by 2080. The distances that women and girls travel to fetch water or firewood are growing longer, while their safety is shrinking. Two thirds report feeling unsafe on these journeys, in a region that already ranks among the highest globally for reported cases of sexual and gender-based violence. The fourth is the fact that the world is pulling away. Humanitarian funding is drying up. By May, only 8 per cent of this year’s humanitarian needs were funded. Development assistance has dropped by nearly 20 per cent in the last two years. The impact of this cannot be denied. In Burkina Faso, 45 per cent of women’s The fifth is the fact that democratic space is closing. In many parts of the Central Sahel, the space for civil society, the media and women’s political participation is shrinking. In the Niger, just 14 per cent of participants in a recent national conference on institutional reforms were women. In Mali, only two women out of 36 members took part in drafting the new National Charter. Despite all this, there is hope. In Chad, women now hold 30 per cent of parliamentary seats — double the previous share — and the 2023 Constitution pledges to end child marriage and female genital mutilation. Women’s organizations in the Central Sahel continue to engage with transitional authorities. In Mali and the Niger’s border zones, women’s participation in conflict prevention rose from 5 to 25 per cent, helping to resolve more than 100 conflicts over natural resources. Burkina Faso, Mali and the Niger have committed to advancing women’s political participation and to upholding Security Council resolutions on women and peace and security. The European Union has committed €6 million to Chad’s women, peace and security plan. I encourage others to do the same. Joint United Nations programming increased adolescent girls’ return to school by 23 per cent and doubled women’s local governance participation in 34 conflict- affected communities. The World Bank-funded Sahel Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Dividend initiative has reached more than 3 million adolescent girls with healthcare, safe spaces and life skills. The Gender Compact for the Sahel, led by the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), the Special Coordinator and UN-Women, is ensuring the United Nations system delivers tangible targets on women’s leadership, participation and gender analysis. This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, and the twenty-fifth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000) — an opportunity to recommit to the women and girls of the Sahel. I call on Council members to urge Governments and regional bodies to ensure women’s full, equal, meaningful and safe participation in transitional Governments and peace and security efforts I call on Council members to implement affirmative action laws and ensure a safe, open space for civil society. I call on Council members to invest at least 15 per cent of violent extremism prevention funding in gender equality and ask for gender-specific updates from sanctions and counter-terrorism bodies. I call on Council members to support the rapid deployment of women protection advisers to UNOWAS to monitor sexual violence trends, engage with parties to conflict and secure time-bound commitments. And, even in a challenging financial landscape, I urge international partners to provide direct, flexible, long-term funding to women-led and women’s rights organizations through mechanisms such as the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund and the Peacebuilding Fund. Above all, let us recall what women from the Sahel have been telling us all along: we cannot abandon the Sahel —whatever the politics, whatever the funding landscapes, whatever the geopolitical headwinds. Therefore, let us stand with the women of the Sahel, not out of charity, but in recognition of their power to shape a better future. I now give the floor to Ms. Addae-Mensah. Ms. Addae-Mensah: It is a privilege to brief the Council once again in my capacity as Executive Director of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) and to provide an update on key dynamics in the West Africa region, with a particular focus on women, peace and security. This brief reflects the voices and lived experiences of women across the region from the perspective of WANEP, a civil society network with over 750 member organizations across 15 countries in West Africa. WANEP wishes to commend the efforts of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) in advancing the women and peace and security agenda in the region and acknowledges our long-standing and close partnership, in particular with UNOWAS, which has been instrumental in amplifying the voices of women and civil society in regional peace and security processes. As already laid out by previous speakers, the multi-layered insecurities confronting women in West Africa cannot be over-emphasized. However, women are not just victims but exhibit tremendous capacity to foster change. WANEP’s work with women-led organizations across the region continues to reveal extraordinary resilience and leadership by women in building peace, particularly in places such as the Sahel, where women’s social networks are on the front lines of peacebuilding, mediating local conflicts, leading trauma-healing initiatives, organizing humanitarian response, operating early warning networks and promoting social cohesion. Although marginally appreciated and largely undocumented, these positive dynamics reflect significant transformative milestones and markers of progress of landmark normative frameworks on women and peace and security. Twenty-five years since the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), 14 countries in the region have developed national action plans on the resolution, leading to advancements in progressive governance policies and laws on affirmative action, gender parity, sexual offences, domestic violence and gender-sensitive security sector reforms among others. Notably, women’s representation in governance is encouraging in countries such as Cabo Verde, Senegal and Sierra Leone, where 44, 41 and 29 per cent, respectively, of women are in Parliament. UNOWAS and the Economic Community of West African States have facilitated platforms and processes for women from civil society to initiate and sustain advocacy for gender- responsive and inclusive policies and drive political engagements at the track I level. Additionally, initiatives such as WANEP’s Community Women Mediators in Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso and Guinea have established trusted platforms for dialogue and conflict resolution, contributing to reduced localized conflicts and improved women’s participation in peacebuilding processes. Women coalitions and networks are leading negotiations with non-State armed groups to enhance access to basic amenities and livelihoods. Those networks and others, such as Liberia’s peace huts, are proving critical to community peacebuilding and empowering survivors of gender-based violence. Similarly, women in Sierra Leone are overcoming traditional barriers and manifesting more confidence in reporting gender-based violence. These notwithstanding, several gaps and challenges remain to be addressed. Permit me to echo some of what I already highlighted. First, there are persistent gaps between policy and practice. While frameworks and national action plans exist, their conflation into concrete, measurable and sustainable transformation remains weak. The continued isolation of the women The women and peace and security agenda often lacks localization and community ownership, as national frameworks fail to reflect the lived realities of women and girls, exacerbated by language barriers and elite dominance, which limit local women’s leadership, relevance and impact. Persistent insecurities have left many women widowed and/or displaced, stripped of land, livelihoods and financial inclusion, and yet, responses remain focused on protection rather than investing in their prosperity as a pathway to prevention. The sustainability of peace largely depends on the consistent and inclusive engagement of women in peace processes, governance, institution-building, the security sector, as well as economic recovery. Therefore, it is imperative that the review of the United Nations peacebuilding architecture be guided not only by a people-centred approach but also emphasize the opportunities and central role of women as equal and strategic leaders, contributing to building and sustaining peace and development across various areas and decision-making levels. The priorities and rights of women must be placed at the heart of peacebuilding processes. To meaningfully advance the women and peace and security agenda and close the persistent implementation gaps, I respectfully offer the following three recommendations to the Council: First, women’s participation must be repositioned as a security imperative, not an add-on, by encouraging Member States and regional actors to embed women’s leadership and participation as a core security investment across all peace and security interventions, from counter-terrorism strategies to transitional governance and security sector reforms. Secondly, the gap between policy and practice must be bridged through predictable funding by urging Member States and partners to allocate dedicated, flexible and multi-year funding for the sustainable implementation of national action plans on resolution 1325 (2000) and encouraging the establishment or strengthening of national and regional women and peace and security funds to ensure local women- led initiatives can access resources directly. Thirdly, there must be a shift from protection-only to prosperity-based prevention by promoting women’s economic empowerment and prioritizing land rights, access to finance, vocational training and entrepreneurship during transitions and post- conflict recovery periods. There is a need to recognize and support social protection systems and climate-responsive economic policies that build women’s resilience to multiple insecurities. Civil society is acutely aware that the global context is becoming increasingly complex and constrained. Rising geopolitical tensions, shrinking civic space and global economic instability all pose significant barriers to translating commitments into concrete action. Yet, even in this challenging environment, we see clear opportunities to shift the needle and close persistent gaps in the implementation of the women and peace and security agenda. The landmark celebrations of resolution 1325 (2000) and the ongoing review of the peacebuilding architecture offer timely opportunities for enhanced alignment, especially as several countries in West Africa are also currently reviewing or renewing their national action plans. Targeted support for these processes can help embed stronger accountability and financing Finally, women’s dominance in informal economies and their anchoring role in social networks offer untapped potential, and adequately resourcing women will enable them to lead a transition from protection to prosperity-based peacebuilding. The women and peace and security agenda is not just about a United Nations resolution. It is about the lives and futures of millions of women and girls across West Africa and lies at the very core of the sustaining peace agenda. We must therefore invest in the power, leadership and prosperity of women.

I thank Ms. Addae-Mensah for her briefing. I shall now give the floor to those Council members who wish to make statements.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the three African members of the Security Council, namely, Algeria, Somalia and my own country, Sierra Leone, as well as Guyana (A3+). We thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Leonardo Santos Simão and UN-Women Executive Director Sima Sami Bahous for their briefings. We also thank Ms. Levinia Addae-Mensah for her contribution. We are deeply saddened by the tragic helicopter disaster in Ghana. At this difficult time, we offer our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and to the Government and the people of Ghana. As countries of the region continue to navigate complex transitions in governance, economic development and national security, it is clear that community-led and inclusive peacebuilding efforts will be essential to long-term stability and resilience. This is particularly critical at a time when the Secretary-General’s report (S/2025/495), although reflecting progress, also reveals challenging trends in the region. We are witnessing a surge in terrorist and extremist violence, unprecedented in scale, intensity and sophistication, perpetrated by the so-called Jama’a Nusrat ul- Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) and the Islamic State West Africa Province. This has led to a disturbing rise in civilian casualties, disproportionately affecting women and children, and the destruction of civilian infrastructure, including health centres and schools. The growing threat of famine, the compounding effects of climate shocks and the sustained high numbers of internally displaced persons and refugees paint a troubling picture. These trends demand urgent and coordinated action. In the light of the foregoing, the A3+ wishes to make the following points. First, we underscore the importance of intensifying diplomatic engagement to build and sustain political trust across the region. In that respect, we highlight the im­ portant role that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) plays in responding to security threats and advancing socioeconomic and development goals. We congratulate ECOWAS as it commemorates its fiftieth anniversary, and we commend the Community for its ongoing efforts to promote peace, stability and economic development in West Africa, including through support for peaceful political transitions and peacekeeping efforts. We recognize the leadership of His Excellency Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and outgoing Chair of ECOWAS, and warmly congratulate His Excellency Mr. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, on his assumption of the role We also welcome bilateral exchanges by ECOWAS member States with Burkina Faso, the Niger and Mali, which are most affected by terrorism. We take positive note of the appointment of Ghana’s Special Envoy to the Alliance of Sahel States and the joint military exercises undertaken with Togo and Chad. The A3+ commends the efforts of ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States countries to continue constructive dialogue. These efforts are vital to safeguarding the achievements of regional integration and the interests of the West African people. We further welcome the deepening engagement between the African Union and ECOWAS on security cooperation and political dialogue in the region. We applaud the outcomes of the recent joint consultative meeting between the African Union Peace and Security Council and the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council. We call on Member States and the relevant stakeholders to support and create platforms that strengthen ongoing diplomatic engagement and foster political trust across the region. We also stress the importance of leveraging existing African mechanisms, in particular the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa and the African Union Counter-Terrorism Centre, which are key instruments of the Union’s continental action. We further welcome the recent designation by the African Union Chairperson of a Special Envoy for the Sahel, which constitutes a major step towards a more structured, integrated and coordinated continental response to the multidimensional challenges facing the region. We furthermore emphasize the importance of cross-border security cooperation, and promote an approach based on strengthening national capacities, intelligence-sharing and coordinated surveillance of common borders. To our second point, we emphasize the need to shift political will into operational reality in counter-terrorism efforts in the region. We commend ECOWAS for demonstrating political leadership in advancing the ECOWAS counter-terrorism strategy and taking steps to enhance the operational effectiveness of the Multinational Joint Task Force and the Accra Initiative. While notable progress has been made in promoting a unified and coordinated response, significant challenges remain. Insecurity persists, particularly in the light of evolving trends in terrorism. Coordinated attacks by groups such as JNIM and ISGS, converging with international trafficking networks and organized criminal activities pose a multidimensional threat. Terrorist groups continue to acquire sophisticated weaponry and leverage advanced technologies, including the use of uncrewed aerial systems and anti-aircraft capabilities, which indicate external financing and support. In that context, we stress the need to strengthen operational synergy and work towards the development of a shared regional strategy, owned by all States of the region. In that regard, we underline the urgency of achieving a common strategic vision in the fight against terrorism, based on clearly defined objectives, aligned regional priorities and enhanced coordination among the various security platforms. We welcome the recent convening of the informal interactive dialogue by the Council on enhancing regional counter-terrorism cooperation and underscore the im­ portance of national ownership and respect for sovereignty, regional cooperation and international support, including for predictable, adequate and sustainable financing. Our third point focuses on the progress of development and peacebuilding initiatives as a pathway to sustainable peace. We welcome the progress achieved by Member States, including the reported economic growth in Côte d’Ivoire, the Niger, Senegal, Nigeria and Ghana, as well as governance reforms in Togo, Ghana and Nigeria. We also commend the steps taken towards good governance and conflict resolution in Senegal, Liberia and Mauritania, while acknowledging continued development efforts in Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau. These developments can only be sustained in a peaceful subregion. We further urge Member States to respect internationally recognized borders and the sovereignty of States and affirm efforts by the Mano River Union secretariat and ECOWAS in addressing the unlawful occupation by Guinean troops of Yenga, in Sierra Leonean territory. We also recognize the potential of youth, who make up 65 per cent of the region’s pop­ ulation, and welcome national efforts to advance youth empowerment within the youth, peace and security agenda, at the national level, in Côte d’Ivoire, the Niger and Benin. The A3+ remains gravely concerned by persistent reports of widespread human rights violations and emphasizes that efforts to improve governance must not be treated separately from efforts to enhance security. Inclusive governance, constitutional order and the rule of law are not only complementary to peace but are essential tools for building institutional resilience and reducing the conditions in which violent extremism can thrive. We urge all Member States to exercise restraint, particularly in actions targeting civil society actors, journalists and members of the political opposition. On our fourth point, the worsening humanitarian conditions, large-scale displacement and escalating tensions among communities present a grave threat to regional stability. Climate-related shocks, such as floods and droughts, further compound existing vulnerabilities. The A3+ calls for urgent intervention, cautioning against inaction and the risks of allowing the humanitarian situation to fester. We commend the Secretary-General’s approval of the $7 million cross-border initiative to strengthen water management, climate resilience and peacebuilding in the border areas of Mali, Mauritania and Senegal. We also call on the authorities to improve humanitarian access and identify pathways to ensure that much-needed assistance reaches the most vulnerable populations, including in areas under the control of non-State actors. In closing, the A3+ commends Special Representative Simão and the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) for their outstanding contributions. Special Representative Simão’s good offices have been instrumental in building bridges for diplomatic engagement and facilitating political solutions. His role in coordinating technical support and mobilizing resources has been critical in accelerating progress and sustaining cooperation across the region. We express our full support for the UNOWAS mandate and commend the ingenuity and commitment shown in navigating resource constraints, while addressing a broad geographic scope and a wide range of diverse and interlinked issues. Finally, the A3+ reaffirms its unwavering commitment to supporting Member States of the West African and the Sahel subregion and the regional mechanisms in their efforts to combat terrorism, rebuild political trust and advance inclusive socioeconomic development, as essential pillars for consolidating peace and sustaining progress. I also wish to express Denmark’s profound condolences to the people and Government of Ghana after yesterday’s tragic helicopter crash. The security situation across the Sahel region is on a devastating trajectory — growing in both intensity and in geographical scope — threatening peace and security in coastal West Africa and beyond. As we heard from our briefers today, women and girls are particularly affected by this developing security crisis. Allow me to make four points. First, Denmark strongly condemns all acts of terrorism and violent extremism. Counter-terrorism is a shared cause. To work as intended, it must always be conducted fully in line with international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law. We are deeply concerned by reports of ethnically motivated targeting of civilians, abductions and forced disappearances in relation to counter-terrorism operations. We call on all parties to uphold their obligations under international law and to hold accountable those who commit violations and abuses. Secondly, Denmark welcomes efforts to strengthen regional security cooperation with a unified purpose and aligned strategy. Regional and subregional organizations — not least the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) — have a critical convening role to play, as we believe solutions must be grounded in African leadership, and supported through genuine partnerships with the wider international community. We commend the decision by the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council and the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council to enhance counter-terrorism cooperation by establishing a joint threat fusion and analysis cell. Similarly, Denmark commends the important work done by the Multi-National Joint Task Force and welcomes the operationalization of the African Union and ECOWAS standby forces. We encourage the AU and ECOWAS to further supplement the hard security instruments of the African Peace and Security Architecture with existing mediation and peacebuilding instruments, including women-led initiatives. We also recognize the value of the Peacebuilding Commission’s engagement on the region. Thirdly, the region’s many challenges all share a common thread — their disproportionate impact on women and girls, and the critical role that women and girls should have in addressing them. We are deeply concerned by the horrific human rights situation of women and girls across the region. In the Central Sahel, women and girls are not only caught in the crossfire, they are actively targeted and commodified, through abductions, sexual slavery, forced marriages and rape. The violence must stop. Women must urgently receive access to justice, protection mechanisms, life-saving services, healthcare and psychosocial support. However, enhancing protection is not enough. Women’s participation must be strengthened across the board. We urge women’s full, equal, meaningful and safe participation across electoral processes, peace processes and in every single aspect of life. Fourthly, the humanitarian situation in the Sahel region is dire and fast deteriorating, as we heard from our briefers this morning. Vulnerabilities are compounded by a severe lack of access to basic services, schooling and healthcare. Serious funding shortfalls compel humanitarian actors to prioritize between urgent needs and long-term resilience-building efforts. Aid must reach those in need, without interference. Restrictions on humanitarian actors are unacceptable, and they exacerbate the already serious humanitarian situation. We call on all parties across the region to urgently ensure rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access. As co-penholder for the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel, in partnership with Sierra Leone, Denmark will seek to maintain the Council’s attention on the region. We will support the Special Representative in carrying out his important mandate. We look forward to our continued collaboration with Council members, regional stakeholders and United Nations colleagues to this end.

I thank Special Representative Mr. Simão and Executive Director of UN-Women Ms. Bahous for their comprehensive briefings, as well as the Executive Director of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding, Ms. Addae-Mensah, for sharing her valuable insights. As the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) marked its fiftieth anniversary this May, we commend the progress achieved in regional integration, though the bloc faces multiple challenges. We call on all countries in the region and partners to strengthen their cooperation and support for ECOWAS, to preserve these hard-won gains. Allow me to highlight three points. First, the security environment in the Sahel and West Africa remains extremely concerning. According to the 2025 Global Terrorism Index, the Sahel region accounted for 51 per cent of global terrorism-related deaths in 2024. In particular, we are witnessing an increase in large-scale, coordinated attacks and in the use of sophisticated weaponry, including drones and anti-aircraft systems, by terrorist groups. As highlighted in the Secretary-General’s report (S/2025/495), the promotion of effective and comprehensive regional security cooperation is of paramount importance. Despite various ongoing counter-terrorism efforts, fragmentation among regional security mechanisms has been exploited by terrorist groups to expand their operations into West Africa’s littoral States. Coordinated regional responses are essential to dismantle transboundary terrorist networks. In this regard, we welcome the renewed commitment of regional leaders to enhancing cooperation between ECOWAS and the countries of the Confederation of Sahel States. Secondly, building trust and creating the conditions for peaceful and credible electoral processes is critical, particularly as some countries in the region prepare for important elections. We call on all stakeholders in these countries to intensify efforts in this regard. Facilitating a return to constitutional order is also essential. Extending transitional processes without a clear electoral timeline only erodes public trust. Similarly, increasing restrictions on political and civic space not only infringe on fundamental freedoms, but also undermine national stability. We urge all countries undergoing transition in the Sahel to swiftly restore constitutional order and advance their transitions through genuine and inclusive dialogue. Moreover, ensuring inclusive participation in political processes is crucial. As we emphasized in the joint statement on women and peace and security issued this morning, the erosion of democratic governance, coupled with social control by extremist groups, severely limits the ability of women and girls to participate in public life. We urge Governments, transitional authorities and regional actors to guarantee the full, equal, safe and meaningful participation of women in political and transitional governance. Thirdly, the worsening humanitarian situation in West Africa and the Sahel demands urgent and comprehensive support. According to the most recent Integrated Food Security Phase Classification report, approximately 11.2 million children under the age of 5 across five Sahelian countries are suffering from acute malnutrition. We hope that the peacebuilding architecture will continue to play a critical role in strengthening comprehensive efforts to address the multifaceted challenges in the region. As the informal coordinator between the Peacebuilding Commission and the Security Council, we are committed to playing a constructive role in this regard. We also look forward to the Fund’s continued support for peacebuilding efforts. In conclusion, we express our full support for UNOWAS and Special Representative of the Secretary-General Simão and their vital work. The Republic of Korea remains committed to supporting national and regional efforts to build and sustain peace in the region.

I extend my gratitude to Special Representative Leonardo Santos Simão. We commend his leadership, as we believe that his mission has an important role towards facilitating peace in West Africa and the Sahel. I also wish to thank Executive Director Sima Sami Bahous and Executive Director Levinia Addae-Mensah for their briefings. Before proceeding with my prepared remarks, I also want to join others who have expressed condolences to the Government and the people of Ghana for the tragic deaths as a result of yesterday’s helicopter crash. As for today’s meeting, I would like to make the following key points. First, terrorism continues to have an impact on the lives of millions across the African continent, including those in Burkina Faso, Mali, the Niger and the Lake Chad Basin. For far too long, citizens of West African nations have borne the brunt of the harms of terrorism. The United States condemns in the strongest terms the recent terrorist attacks against civilians. We call for accountability for attacks perpetrated by the Al-Qaida-affiliated Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin, Islamic State-Sahel Province, Islamic State West Africa Province, Boko Haram and all other terrorist groups. Secondly, we urge Sahelian States and their coastal West African neighbours to set aside differences and seek a coordinated response to terrorism, one that respects the rule of law and human rights, including military cooperation and intelligence sharing. Terrorists do not respect borders. We further encourage the role of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel in facilitating dialogue between the Confederation of Sahel States and the Economic Community of West African States on vital economic and political relations, in addition to regional security cooperation, consistent with its mandate. The United States, in turn, will continue to work with regional partners to counter these threats. We, as the international community, have a vested interest in countering terrorism and the increasing danger that violent extremism poses to the global community. Finally, the crisis unfolding in the Sudan continues to have far-reaching impacts on peace and security in the Sahel. In addition to humanitarian and economic

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary- General Simão, Executive Director Bahous and Ms. Addae-Mensah for their briefings, and I pay tribute to the work of Special Representative of the Secretary- General Simão and his team and their continued efforts in the region. Allow me to join other Council colleagues in extending our deep condolences to the Government and people of the Republic of Ghana for the tragic loss of life in yesterday’s helicopter crash. I will make three points. First, the United Kingdom condemns terrorist attacks in the region, including the increased use of improvised explosive devices and the use of blockades to disrupt trade and isolate communities. Regional unity is critical for addressing the growing security challenges and tackling transnational threats. The United Kingdom encourages all parties to remain committed to prioritizing security, growth and prosperity across the region. We stress the need for careful consideration of external security partners, not all of whom share these goals. We welcome the agreements between the Economic Community of West African States and the Confederation of Sahel States, which protect the strong tradition of West African cooperation and will bring benefits to citizens of the region, including freedom of movement and ease of trade. We urge the countries of the region to extend this constructive approach to cooperation on counter-terrorism and security. Secondly, we note mixed progress on democratic processes. The United Kingdom is concerned about recent developments in Burkina Faso, Mali and the Niger, including the suspension of political parties, increasing restrictions on civic space and the extension of transition timelines. We call upon the authorities in these countries to return to the principles of inclusive and accountable governance, which are crucial to long-term stability and prosperity. Looking ahead to the presidential elections in Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau this year, the United Kingdom stands ready to engage in support of ensuring that these are peaceful, credible processes and that they are aligned with the countries’ respective Constitutions. We also welcome progress in promoting youth and women’s participation in governance. Investment in education and employment is critical to reducing vulnerability to radicalization and irregular migration and to supporting inclusive and sustainable peace. And as we heard from Ms. Bahous so powerfully, investing in girls’ education in particular is key to ensuring that women and girls can enjoy their rights and realize their full potential. Thirdly, we remain concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation across the region. Conflict, displacement and restrictions on humanitarian access continue to undermine the delivery of life-saving assistance, and we urge all parties to ensure rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access. In conclusion, the region’s complex challenges require collective action. The United Kingdom supports efforts to strengthen regional dialogue and remains committed to inclusive regional cooperation.

We thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Leonardo Santos Simão for his comprehensive briefing and commend his outreach efforts in fostering inclusive political dialogue and promoting peace and security in West Africa and the Sahel. We also thank Ms. Sima Sami Bahous and Ms. Levinia Addae-Mensah for their useful insights. The most recent report of the Secretary-General (S/2025/495) outlines the complex and interlinked political, security, humanitarian and development challenges facing West Africa and the Sahel region. We acknowledge the quiet diplomatic engagement that is under way, including the continued efforts by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union and other regional actors to promote consensus-based transitions, safeguard regional integration gains and strengthen collective security arrangements. We note the progress made on advancing the participation of women and youth in decision-making processes in several countries, while recognizing that significant barriers to their full and meaningful inclusion persist across the region. Having said that, we share the concerns related to the evolving security situation in the region. Terrorism presents a clear danger. It is alarming that terrorist groups, such as Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin and Islamic State-Sahel Province, have expanded their operations. Similarly, there has been an increase in cross-border terror incidents and evidence of transnational interlinkages between terrorist groups and criminal networks. Of particular concern is the use of increasingly sophisticated methods, including the use of unmanned aerial systems and improvised explosive devices, by these terrorist groups. The Security Council has played a pivotal role in advancing peace and security in the region, particularly through the deployment of United Nations peacekeeping missions. Pakistan, too, has contributed to the Council’s peace and security agenda by consistently providing peacekeepers, including women peacekeepers, to various United Nations missions. We take pride in our contributions to the efforts of the United Nations and its successful endeavours to restore peace in several countries, including Sierra Leone, Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire. Allow me to make the following points. First, a comprehensive and multidimensional approach to countering terrorism and violent extremism needs to be adopted, focusing not only on kinetic actions but also on addressing the underlying root causes of those phenomena. In this regard, we urge the international community to expand training and capacity-building support for our African partners. Pakistan reiterates its readiness to actively share its expertise and experience in this domain. Secondly, regional engagement and cooperation are crucial for the collective security architecture to effectively counter terrorism, including cross-border terrorism. Support for regional security frameworks, including the ECOWAS Standby Force, the Accra Initiative and the Lake Chad Basin Multinational Joint Task Force, is essential. We welcome recent efforts by ECOWAS and the African Union to expedite counter-terrorism coordination mechanisms, and we encourage continued support for African-led solutions. The holding of an informal interactive dialogue last month underscored the importance of counter-terrorism responses with regional ownership. Thirdly, the international community must support efforts to strengthen governance structures and enhance the capacities of local institutions, in line with nationally identified needs and priorities. These efforts should be guided by the principle of African solutions to African problems. In this context, fostering inclusive and representative political processes remains vital for ensuring sustainable peace and stability across the region. Fourthly, the humanitarian situation is alarming, as the region continues to face multifaceted challenges, including food insecurity, poverty, inflation and the worsening impacts of climate change. The sustained provision of humanitarian assistance and Lastly, we echo the Secretary-General’s call for the urgent acceleration of efforts to reform the international financial architecture, with a view to enhancing its ability to effectively support developing countries, in particular those in West Africa and the Sahel, in accessing adequate, affordable and sustainable financing for their long-term development needs. In conclusion, let me reaffirm that Pakistan, bound by long-standing and brotherly ties with the countries of West Africa and the Sahel, stands ready to support all initiatives that advance peace, stability and development in the region.

I thank you, Mr. President, for convening this important meeting. I would like to thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Leonardo Santos Simão for his briefing and express my country’s full support for the work of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS). I would equally like to thank the Executive Director of UN-Women, Ms. Sima Sami Bahous, and the Executive Director of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding, Ms. Levinia Addae-Mensah, for their valuable insights, especially into the situation of women’s and girls’ rights in the region. Allow me also to join others in expressing condolences to the Government and the people of Ghana for the tragic loss of life in the helicopter crash. I would like to make three points. First, with regard to security and regional cooperation, the security situation in the Sahel remains deeply concerning. According to the most recent report of the Secretary- General (S/2025/495), terrorist activities continue to destabilize the central Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin. Specifically, Burkina Faso, Mali and the Niger remain under sustained attacks by Jama‘a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin and Islamic State-Sahel Province. In this context, the Niger’s recent withdrawal from the Multinational Joint Task Force has further strained regional capacities to respond effectively to these threats. Violent extremist groups continue to destabilize vast areas, threatening not only land borders but also vital maritime routes in the Gulf of Guinea through expanded activities in coastal States, such as northern Benin and Togo, and along the Mali-Senegal-Mauritania border area. We note that piracy incidents in the Gulf have fallen significantly, largely as a result of regional cooperation frameworks, such as the Yaoundé Architecture, and enhanced naval coordination. Greece, as a leading maritime nation, reaffirms its support for further cooperation to strengthen coastal security capacities. Nevertheless, the threat is evolving. Criminal and extremist networks are increasingly diversifying into trafficking and smuggling, with the potential to exploit maritime routes to finance their operations. In this context, we are closely following the changing relationship between the Confederation of Sahel States and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Continued dialogue and engagement are essential to prevent further fragmentation and ensure that counter-terrorism and peacebuilding stabilization initiatives remain mutually reinforcing and grounded in regional ownership. In this respect, we welcome efforts aimed at strengthening the Accra Initiative, the recent African Union (AU)-ECOWAS decision to establish a joint threat fusion and analysis cell and the much-needed activation of the AU and ECOWAS Standby Forces. Secondly, with regard to governance and political transitions, the succession of unconstitutional changes of government has undermined democratic norms and complicated stabilization efforts. Upcoming polls in Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea and Thirdly, with regard to human rights, climate resilience and peacebuilding, human rights must remain central to all international and regional responses. While progress has been made on enhancing the participation of women and youth in decision-making in Côte d’Ivoire and the Niger, significant challenges persist. Today, 28.7 million people across the Sahel require urgent humanitarian assistance and protection, with women and girls, who comprise more than half of this population, facing heightened risks of displacement, forced marriage and sexual and gender-based violence. Their meaningful participation in peace processes and governance is both a moral imperative and a proven catalyst for durable peace. The region’s challenges are further compounded by climate change. The Sahel is warming 1.5 times faster than the global average, with prolonged droughts and irregular rainfall intensifying competition over scarce resources and driving displacement. These conditions create fertile ground for extremist exploitation and deepen gendered vulnerabilities. Addressing these interconnected threats demands holistic strategies that integrate human rights protection, gender equality, climate adaptation and inclusive peacebuilding to foster social cohesion and resilience. The challenges facing West Africa and the Sahel are multidimensional and demand sustained multilateral engagement. Greece reaffirms its commitment to supporting regional and international initiatives that promote peace, security and sustainable development. We also extend our congratulations to ECOWAS on its fiftieth anniversary — a testament to enduring regional cooperation. Greece stands ready to contribute to collective efforts to secure a stable and prosperous future for the peoples of this vital region.

I would like to thank Special Representative Simão, Executive Director Bahous and Ms. Addae-Mensah for their briefings. Before I deliver my remarks, let me also join others in expressing our sincere condolences to the Government and people of Ghana for the loss of life in a helicopter crash. Allow me to begin by extending warm congratulations to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) upon its fiftieth anniversary of cooperation, integration and peacebuilding in the region. The region is in flux, facing serious political, security and humanitarian challenges. Slovenia warmly welcomes signals of renewed commitment to preserving the hard-won gains of subregional integration, as economic cooperation and people-to-people ties have brought concrete benefits to all States. We encourage further steps to safeguard good-neighbourly relations, to prevent disruptions to the free movement of people, goods and services and to sustain coordination on key priorities, particularly in the areas of security and humanitarian response. We warmly welcome good offices and Mr. Simão’s regular reporting to the Council on the relations between ECOWAS and the Confederation of Sahel States. We must express our utmost concern about the deeply troubling reports of prolonged political transitions in the three central Sahel countries. The dissolution of political parties in Mali and the suspension of political activities in Burkina Faso and the Niger As Executive Director Bahous so powerfully illustrated, women and girls play an indispensable role in building a peaceful, stable, inclusive and prosperous region. As is too often the case, they are among the most affected by insecurity, subjected to abductions, forced displacement and food insecurity and targeted attacks by armed groups. Their role in locally owned responses cannot be overstated and should therefore be supported. As is the case in the areas under the control of non-State armed groups, severe restrictions are imposed on women and girls. While these controls aim to silence them, their presence and engagement in communities can serve as a powerful antidote to the recruitment strategies of terrorist groups. And as sexual and gender-based violence is not incidental but systematic, used as a weapon of terror and subjugation, the powerful stories of the survivors — from Fulani, Tuareg, Moor and other women — can serve not only to raise awareness, but to heal the communities. Their testimonies highlight the urgent importance of ensuring that all survivors have safe and unimpeded access to adequate physical and psychosocial healthcare and protection services. We encourage further promotion of their full, equal, safe and meaningful participation in the social, economic and political life of their countries and their communities. At a time when the threat of terrorism and violent extremism continues to deepen and spill over into the Gulf of Guinea, Mauritania and Senegal, the resilience and leadership of women and girls are more essential than ever.

I thank Special Representative Simão for his briefing. I have also listened carefully to the statements made by Executive Director Bahous and Ms. Addae-Mensah. China commends the Special Representative and his team for their positive efforts in promoting regional peace and development. China will continue to support their work. I would also like to take this opportunity to express China’s sincere condolences to Ghana over yesterday’s tragic helicopter crash. In the light of the Secretary-General’s most recent report (S/2025/495), I would like to make the following points. First, it is imperative to maintain stability in West Africa and the Sahel. At present, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Benin and Guinea are actively preparing for various levels of elections; Togo, Ghana, Nigeria and the Gambia are pushing forward constitutional reforms; and Senegal and Mauritania are conducting nationwide political dialogues. Smoothly advancing these key political processes will help to further consolidate regional peace and stability. The international community and UNOWAS should provide constructive support for the advancement of these processes and assist the countries concerned in strengthening national governance and capacity-building and in embarking on a path of development, in line with their own national contexts. Not long ago, Sierra Leone took over the rotating chairmanship of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). China hopes to see ECOWAS continue to play an active role, under the leadership of Sierra Leone, in safeguarding regional stability and promoting regional development. Thirdly, it is imperative to continue to focus on and address development issues. Security and development are two sides of the same coin. Development is the basis for security, and security is a precondition for development. According to the Secretary- General’s report, many countries in the region are expected to achieve higher economic growth this year. At the same time, many countries are facing challenges, such as high debt, increasing budget deficits, declining development assistance, rising borrowing costs and a dire humanitarian situation. China commends ECOWAS for its efforts and achievements over the past 50 years in promoting regional development and integration and welcomes its recent efforts to strengthen dialogue with the Confederation of Sahelian States. China sincerely hopes that all parties will work together to safeguard the fruits of integration and contribute to regional development. The international community should focus its support on addressing development challenges and should not only increase short-term inputs, such as humanitarian assistance, to meet urgent needs, but should also increase long-term investment in infrastructure and other areas, so as to help the countries in the region to enhance their development capacity, fully implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, promote peace through development and better protect the rights and interests of women. China and the countries of West Africa and the Sahel are good brothers, good friends and good partners. China will actively implement its commitments under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in various areas, such as peace and security and development cooperation, in particular by implementing initiatives such as the zero tariff treatment on 100 per cent of the tariff lines to 53 African countries, so as to make greater contributions to regional peace and development.

We would like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Leonardo Santos Simão, for his report on the current situation in the region and on the activities of the Office that he leads over the past three months. We support the work of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) within its existing mandate. We also listened to the briefer from UN-Women and the briefer from civil society. Russia consistently attaches great significance to cooperation with West African countries. We are pleased to note the broadly calm political situation in the region this year. The new regional cooperation architecture is gaining strength. The members of the Confederation of Sahel States and ECOWAS demonstrated a serious resolve to reaffirm their commitment to agreements previously reached and to establish mutually beneficial relations. We welcome the development of cooperation between the two organizations as part of their quiet diplomacy approach, which was exemplified by the meeting of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the countries of the Confederation of Sahel States with the President of the ECOWAS Commission that took place in Bamako on 22 May. We hope that these examples will soon be followed by others. We believe that, if this Nonetheless, the actions of fighters in the Sahara-Sahel region are still a source of serious concern. When assessing the security situation in the Sahara-Sahel region, one must bear in mind that the Governments of the subregion bear the heavy burden of the mistakes of the past and the legacy of neocolonial policies. After NATO countries carried out their military aggression against Libya, the region became a haven for myriad terrorist groups. We are extremely disquieted by the fact that fighters have no scruples about recruiting children, they are using more sophisticated means of communication, and they employ drones and other advanced military technology. Who exactly is providing terrorist groups with these resources still must be determined, as does the question of who wants armed confrontation with the sovereign States of the subregion. There have been confirmed cases primarily of support for terrorism in Mali from Ukraine, whose officials do not even try to hide this. Therefore, it is no surprise to anyone that the countries of the Confederation of Sahel States took the entirely justified decision to sever their relations with the Kyiv regime. Today, radicals are gradually drawing into their orbit the States of the Gulf of Guinea, including Benin, Côte d’Ivoire and Togo, through their actions. There has been an increase in the number of incursions into northern Benin. The situation in the north- east of Nigeria in the Lake Chad basin remains tense because of the ongoing terrorist attacks by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, and also in Chad. The Chadian authorities have had not only to tackle terrorism but also to host many refugees from neighbouring Sudan. In order to achieve long-term stability, the international community must provide collective support for Mali, Burkina Faso and the Niger, as these countries have unwillingly become the vanguard in the fight against trans-African terrorist groups. Attempts by foreign Powers to interfere in the region’s affairs are counterproductive. We would like to recall that it is only Africans themselves who can decide what is helpful and what is not in terms of countering terrorism or of political and economic development. African authorities are guided by the opinion of their people and their needs, as they are directly accountable to them. We note the Secretary-General’s timely inclusion in his report (S/2025/495) of the issue of the debt burden of the countries in the region. Despite their sustained economic growth, these countries are unable to allocate their own resources into addressing the root causes of the spread of terrorism in their countries. In this regard, the reform of international financial institutions remains relevant. That reform would prioritize the vital interests and needs of developing countries, including the Sahel countries. I would like to make one more point on the economy to Mr. Simão. We are grateful that, unlike the report, his statement has rightly emphasized how socioeconomic challenges as a whole affect the capacity of Governments. We do appreciate that the claim that there is a direct link between climate and security did not appear in his statement. We note with regret that the report to the Council contains unacceptable terminology regarding the climate-security nexus. This downplays the seriousness of terrorist threats and socioeconomic challenges. Of course, no one is denying the environmental challenges, but we would like to underscore that the mission has no mandate to use such terminology. We would also like to point out to our Korean colleagues that it was hardly pertinent to mention the Security Council’s Informal Expert Group on Climate and Security. This Group does not express the collective opinion of the Council. For our part, the Russian Federation will continue to make a constructive contribution to collective efforts aimed at stabilizing the Sahara-Sahel and West Africa region as a whole, and we will continue to provide support to the countries of the region bilaterally, including in improving the combat readiness of their armed forces and training their

I would like to thank Mr. Leonardo Simão, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, and Ms. Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN-Women, for their briefings. I also thank Ms. Levinia Addae-Mensah for her remarks and her commitment to peace and conflict prevention in Africa. I also wish to extend, on behalf of France, my condolences to the victims of the helicopter accident in Ghana yesterday. At the outset, I wish to underline the importance of this meeting dedicated to the situation in West Africa and the Sahel. We welcome several positive developments in recent months, but a number of countries of the region continue to face numerous security, political, human and development challenges. France, alongside its partners, remains concerned about the evolving security situation, particularly in the Sahel and the Lake Chad basin, where terrorist attacks and communal violence have reached alarming levels. France condemns, in the strongest possible terms, these unacceptable attacks on the security of the population and local stability. As the Secretary-General’s report (S/2025/495) underlines, the ongoing extension of the terrorist threat to countries along the Coast of Guinea is particularly worrisome. In the face of these crises, it is up to all of us to work together, as we did, for example, in the framework of the Yaoundé Architecture on maritime security. In this sense, the current weakening of the regional institutional architecture is particularly worrisome. France welcomes the efforts of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) to strengthen regional dialogue and cooperation. The dialogue between the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union, in particular, and the creation of a dedicated unit to analyse the threat is a notable example. All of the crises mentioned in the report have disastrous humanitarian consequences in the Sahel, where the number refugees, internally displaced persons and people in need of food assistance continues to rise. All of these crises have particularly serious consequences for women and girls, who are being exposed to sexual and gender-based violence and are seeing a reduction of their civic and political space. Aware of the gravity of the current humanitarian crisis, France will continue to promote the implementation of international humanitarian law and to support the population while respecting the sovereignty of the countries concerned. France has always been convinced that counter-terrorism efforts must follow a comprehensive approach, anchored in the preservation of fundamental rights and freedoms, the strengthening of governance structures and the rule of law, the resilience of the most vulnerable communities and the fight against disinformation and the dissemination of extremist content. UNOWAS has a leading role to play in that regard. I once again voice our support for UNOWAS in that role. I also welcome the key role of the Peacebuilding Commission in supporting national prevention and resilience efforts. Consolidating democratic practices in West Africa is another major challenge. With important elections approaching in Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Côte d’Ivoire, the United Nations will have a critical role to play in supporting the organization of an open, democratic and inclusive process. Strengthening democracy will also require a return to constitutional order in countries in transition and the opening up anew of political and civic spaces to all citizens, and the participation of women in the political process is essential. In conclusion, in all these areas, France is ready to continue working with the United Nations and the countries of the region within a framework of respect for international law. At the outset, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the Government and the people of Ghana, and to the families of the victims of the helicopter accident yesterday, which caused the death of ministers, security officers and others. We thank Special Representative Leonardo Simão, Ms. Sima Bahous and Ms. Levinia Addae-Mensah for their work and valuable briefings. Their commitment to West Af­ rica and the Sahel reflects the spirit that the Council must continue to foster in order to resolve the challenges of this region with greater determination and political will. Achieving genuine reconciliation and mutual understanding are essential to prevent the region’s catastrophes from spiralling further out of control, thus enabling the Council and local authorities to regain confidence, attract investment and implement the necessary responses. The interactive dialogue session on 15 July, which included the participation of Burkina Faso, Mali and the Niger, demonstrated the value of honest and respectful dialogue, even when political differences exist. We know that reconciliation is possible. But we can move forward only if we achieve a common understanding of the root causes of the problems. To achieve this, it is essential to innovate. Prevention and trust-building must be at the centre of our response strategies. Solely military solutions are not only inadequate and insufficient to counter extremism, but they are also counterproductive. In fact, they have aggravated the situation on the ground. We must invest in peace education, local economic development, access to basic services and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programmes. There are concrete examples, led by the United Nations, that show that reintegration is possible when it is complemented by real opportunities and community-based healing processes. Moreover, we must urgently incorporate the agenda of women and peace and security and youth, peace and security in all our responses. Women and young people face structural barriers, but they are also constructive actors for change and crucial pillars for peacebuilding. Almost always, when they are refugees, women are victims of atrocities, such as sexual and gender-based violence, inside camps and detention centres. That reality means that we must invest in education and prevention, strengthen the rule of law and create laws to protect and make reparations to the victims. Although progress has been made in their political participation, we must strengthen their parliamentary representation and their role in civil society as permanent peacebuilders and the Government as decision-makers. For true reintegration and reconciliation to occur, there must be spaces for inclusive dialogue and civic participation, and new economic and social opportunities must be created for all. Fortunately, that is why we have civil society, partnerships with private enterprise and international financial institutions and the projects of the Peacebuilding Commission and the Peacebuilding Fund. To ensure our success, we must include all stakeholders in the conversation. Let us strengthen relations with United Nations agencies, Governments, the Confederation of Sahel States, the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States, civil society and local peacebuilders. Let us also support those countries that are developing national strategies for prevention and for youth, peace and security. The peace we yearn for will not be imposed from the outside. It will be built with the leadership of its own peoples, and it will be sustained with the commitment and joint support that we are renewing here today. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. I now invite Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussion on the subject.