Security Council

6160^th Meeting (PM)

Security Council presidential statement stresses need for comprehensive

strategy to take on emerging threats in west africa

 

While welcoming West Africa’s positive strides in post-conflict recovery, peacebuilding and governance today, the Security Council noted with “deep concern” the fragile nature of those achievements, and stressed the importance of adopting a comprehensive strategy to tackle a raft of emerging threats in the subregion, notably terrorist activity in the Sahel, maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea, illicit drug trafficking, weapons proliferation and the resurgence of undemocratic seizures of power.

In a statement (document S/PRST/2009/20) read out by Ruhakana Rugunda (Uganda), its President for July, the Council noted with satisfaction the continued progress made in the overall peace and security situation in West Africa, but also stressed the need to take into account a “comprehensive strategy of conflict resolution and crisis prevention while addressing the cross-border issues and regional challenges”.

Expressing deep concern over the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of Government in the subregion, the Council recalled its statement of 5 May 2009 and stressed again the importance of expeditiously restoring constitutional order, including through open and transparent elections.

The Council also expressed concern that emerging threats such as terrorist activities, piracy and illicit drug trafficking posed a threat to regional stability, with a possible impact on international security.  It reaffirmed the importance of addressing the illegal drug trade and other criminal activities “by an approach of shared responsibility”, and encouraged efforts to combat such activities through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Regional Action Plan on illicit drug trafficking and organized crime.

Further, the Council commended the joint action of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United Nations Office in West Africa (UNOWA), the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the Department of Political Affairs and INTERPOL (International Criminal Police Organization) to help implement the ECOWAS Action Plan on illicit drugs and organized crime, “and underlines the importance for them to continue and strengthen their partnership”.  The Council also commended national and international partners such as the European Union in support of ECOWAS anti-crime efforts in the subregion.

Noting that West Africa was already confronted with development challenges relating rising food insecurity, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and youth unemployment, the Council expressed concern about the impact of the ongoing global financial crisis on the subregion’s economies.  To that end, the 15-nation body encouraged the continued engagement of financial institutions and development partners in mitigating the adverse effects of the economic downturn and other destabilizing factors in West Africa.

The Council also recognized and commended the important role played by Said Djinnit, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNOWA, “in promoting and strengthening a regional and integrated approach on, among others, cross-border issues and helping consolidate the rule of law”.  The Council requested the Secretary-General, through Mr. Djinnit, to continue to develop further the active cooperation existing between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations.

The meeting began at 1:10 p.m. and ended at 1:20 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2009/20 reads as follows:

“The Security Council notes with satisfaction continued progress in the overall peace and security situation in West Africa.  The Council especially welcomes positive developments in the areas of post-conflict recovery and peacebuilding, as well as improvements in governance and rule of law.

“The Security Council, however, notes with deep concern the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government, undemocratic seizures of power, and, recalling the statement of its President dated 5 May 2009, stresses again the importance of expeditiously restoring constitutional order including through open and transparent elections.

“The Security Council reiterates its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security and recalls that cooperation with regional and subregional organizations, consistent with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, can improve collective security.

“The Council welcomes the continuing important efforts of ECOWAS, in synergy with the African Union, the United Nations and the wider international community, consistent with Security Council resolutions and decisions, to settle conflicts, promote human rights, democracy, rule of law, and constitutional order in West Africa.

“The Security Council also expresses its concerns over the fact that the progress achieved remains fragile.  The Council is concerned in particular by growing or emerging threats to security in West Africa, notably terrorist activities in the Sahel band, maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea, and illicit drug trafficking which pose a threat to regional stability with possible impact on international security.

“The Security Council reaffirms the importance of addressing the illicit drug trafficking and criminal activities by an approach of shared responsibility, and encourages the efforts by West African States to combat illicit drug trafficking and organized crime, especially through the ECOWAS Regional Action Plan on illicit drug trafficking and organized crime The Council welcomes West African States’ continued leadership in implementing this Plan of Action and UNOWA’s role in support of the implementation of this Regional Plan of Action, and takes note of the proposal to strengthen its capacity.

“The Security Council also commends the joint action of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), UNOWA, the Department of Peacekeeping Operation, the Department of Political Affairs and INTERPOL to help implement the ECOWAS Plan of Action against illicit drug trafficking and organized crime, and underlines the importance for them to continue to strengthen their partnership on these issues.  It also commends national and international partners such as the European Union for their support to ECOWAS in the fight against drug trafficking in West Africa.

“The Security Council stresses the importance to take into account a comprehensive strategy of conflict resolution and crisis prevention while addressing the cross-border issues and the regional challenges.  The Council supports the regional efforts to curb the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and to achieve the security sector reform.

“The Security Council expresses its concern on the impact of the global economic crisis on West African economies, since the region is already confronted with development challenges such as rising food insecurity, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and youth unemployment.  The Council encourages continued engagement of financial institutions and development partners to mitigate the adverse effects of the decline in economic growth and other destabilizing factors in West Africa.

“The Security Council recognizes and commends the important role played by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the United Nations Office for West Africa in promoting and strengthening a regional and integrated approach to cross-border issues, as well as helping consolidate peace and security, democracy and the rule of law, and requests the Secretary-General, through his Special Representative to continue to develop further the active cooperation existing between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations.”

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For information media • not an official record