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Thank you, Mr. President.
And let me also thank the SRSG Simão for his insightful remarks.
Mr. President, I have three points to raise.
First,
Denmark is deeply concerned about the continued worsening of the security situation in West Africa and the Sahel. In the central Sahel, attacks are occurring on a daily basis with a high number of civilian victims. In Mali last April, a large coordinated attack threatened the stability of the state. Armed violence is also spreading to the broader region. In Nigeria, we have seen a range of heinous attacks on schools.
Against this backdrop, a collective security response is needed in the region. Together with regional actors such as the AU and ECOWAS, UNOWAS and the UN can play a key role in supporting a conducive political environment for enhanced security cooperation.
A collective security response to the challenges facing the region could involve the development of a joint regional counter-terrorism strategy. This should build on ECOWAS’ existing efforts and other regional initiatives, including the Multinational Joint Task Force.
Any effort to tackle terrorism must always be consistent with International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law.
Second, Mr. President,
The challenges to peace and security in West Africa and the Sahel are increasingly complex.
Challenges span from narrowing civic and political space to the troublesome transnational organized crime and drug trafficking as well as the increasingly dire consequences of climate change. These factors continue to contribute to a worsening of the humanitarian situation, including forced displacement and a lack of humanitarian access.
Cross-border initiatives and regional collaboration are essential in addressing those multidimensional challenges to security and finding a shared path towards peace. A path which must be built on respect for international law, including humanitarian and international human rights law.
We support ECOWAS in exercising its role as the primary regional actor addressing security challenges, in alignment with other regional and bilateral initiatives.
We commend the initiatives taken by Ghana and Togo to foster dialogue within the region, and we strongly endorse the efforts by the African Union Mission for the Mali and the Sahel and the AU High Representative to convene actors and to lead dialogue.
We must continue to build on such African-led efforts as part of strengthening the region’s collective security response.
Third, Mr. President,
Security measures alone cannot foster peace, resilience and prosperity. Political solutions are needed.
In the central Sahel, insecurity, weak governance and economic exclusion have contributed to violation of human rights and the rule of law. We believe that sustainable peace can only be build on democratic principles of governance. Denmark calls for progress on transition processes and respect for the constitutional order and the rule of law.
The UN has an important role to play in helping countries and communities to build trust and strengthen national prevention capacities. Denmark calls on all countries in the region to collaborate with the UN
As SRSG Simão has outlined, UNOWAS provides important support to regional cooperation, preventive diplomacy, and inclusive, democratic governance as well as the implementation on the women, peace and security agenda. We encourage continued efforts by the UN to ensure political commitment to regional and international cooperation from all actors. We also encourage UNOWAS to continue strengthening coherence and coordination with other UN agencies, funds and programmes.
The UN must be fit for purpose at this critical time for the region. We look forward to considering the findings on the ongoing independent strategic review of UNOWAS.
In closing, Mr. President,
Denmark is a longstanding partner of West Africa and Sahel. We will continue to cooperate with the region in pursuing collective solutions in areas of counter terrorism, peacebuilding, development cooperation and humanitarian aid.
Thank you.
