During consultations, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin emphasized to Leonardo Santos Simao, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), that sustainable normalization in the Sahara-Sahel region necessitates international backing of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. This statement was issued by the Russian MFA.
"Simao was specifically reminded that achieving lasting stability in the Sahara-Sahel region requires unified international assistance of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. These countries are at the forefront of combating trans-African terrorism while safeguarding their own sovereignty," stressed Smolensk Square.
The parties also exchanged perspectives on the situation in West Africa and the Sahel, with a particular emphasis on humanitarian and socio-economic challenges, uncontrolled migration, resource scarcity hindering development, and integration processes, including the activities of ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States.
Furthermore, detailed discussions were held on the role of UNOWAS in enhancing stability, fostering confidence, and addressing a wide array of issues in West Africa and the Sahel. The Russian side expressed support for the office's endeavors, underlining the importance of their impartial and constructive approach in serving the interests of all regional nations, as noted by the Russian foreign ministry.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Akishin Vyacheslav/Creative Commons 2.0
Based on materials from TASS