The AU said a “holistic approach” is needed to address peace and security challenges in the vast Sahel region, calling for more investment in better government, social services and youth opportunities.
Ms Fatima Kyari-Mohammed, Permanent Representative of the AU Observer Mission to the UN, stated this in her remarks to the Security Council meeting on ‘Peace and Security in Africa with focus on the G5 Sahel’.
Kyari-Mohammed said AU remained deeply concerned over the continuing deterioration of the security situation in Mali and the greater Sahel region.
She regretted the increasing threat posed by terrorism and violent extremism and its spread in surrounding countries.
“Again, what is happening in this African region reminds us of the fact that terrorist groups know no borders. They think and act globally.
“Therefore, the international approach in dealing with this scourge must be coherent, comprehensive and integrated. Sustainable and simultaneous engagement is needed in all affected areas and regions.
“There is, therefore, urgency for a robust international engagement in support of the efforts of the countries of this region,” she said.
Bintou Keita, the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, said that combating terrorism and transnational organised crime, remained the major challenge in the region.
“Let us not forget those who suffer the most are the local population – civilians – who continue to be intimidated and harassed and live in fear for their lives on a daily basis.
“Those who cannot send their children to school or have their most basic needs met, including access to food and nutrition,” she said.
Keita added that since the authorisation of the Joint Force by the AU in April 2017, and the renewal of its mandate in April 2018, “notable progress” had been made.
According to her, this includes the deployment of troops on the ground, and setting up of command posts and sector headquarters.
“Nonetheless, a lot of work remains ahead of us. The operationalization of the Joint Force has incurred delays and has yet to attain full operational capability,” she said.
The UN envoy called on G5 Sahel Member States to deploy remaining troops as soon as possible.
“What is more, the United Nations will continue to depend on others, to be able to implement the support measures it has been mandated to provide to the G5-Sahel Joint Force by Security Council Resolution 2391 (2017),” she said.
In that resolution, the Security Council requested the Secretary‑General to conclude a technical agreement among the UN, the European Union and G5 Sahel States – Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger.
This is with a view to providing operational and logistical support through the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali to the joint force conducting cross‑border counter‑terrorist operations across the region.