The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) monitors trends in staple food prices in countries vulnerable to food insecurity. For each FEWS NET country and region, the Price Bulletin provides a set of charts showing monthly prices in the current marketing year in selected urban centers and allowing users to compare current trends with both five-year average prices, indicative of seasonal trends, and prices in the previous year.

West Africa can be divided into three agro-ecological zones or three different trade basins (West Basin, Central Basin and East Basin). Both important for understanding market behavior and dynamics.

The three major agro-ecological zones are the Sahelian, the Sudanese and the Coastal zones where production and consumption can be easily classified. (1) In the Sahelian zone, millet is the principal cereal cultivated and consumed particularly in rural areas and increasingly, when accessible, in urban areas. Exceptions include Cape Verde where maize and rice are most important, Mauritania where sorghum and maize are staples, and Senegal with rice. The principal substitutes in the Sahel are sorghum, rice, and cassava flour (Gari), the latter two in times of shortage. (2) In the Sudanese zone (southern Chad, central Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Togo, Côte d'Ivoire, southern Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Serra Leone, Liberia) maize and sorghum constitute the principal cereals consumed by the majority of the population. They are followed by rice and tubers, particularly cassava and yam. (3) In the Coastal zone, with two rainy seasons, yam and maize constitute the most important food products. They are supplemented by cowpea, which is a significant source of protein.

The three trade basins are known as the West, Central, and East basins. In addition to the north to south movement of particular commodities, certain cereals flow horizontally. (1) The West basin refers to Mauritania, Senegal, western Mali, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia, and The Gambia where rice is most heavily traded. (2) The Central basin consists of Côte d'Ivoire, central and eastern Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Togo where maize is commonly traded. (3) The East basin refers to Niger, Nigeria, Chad, and Benin where millet is traded most frequently. These three trade basins are shown on the map above.

Le Réseau de systèmes d’alerte précoce contre la famine (FEWS NET) surveille les tendances des prix des aliments de base dans les pays vulnérables à l'insécurité alimentaire. Pour chaque pays et chaque région couvert par FEWS NET, le Bulletin des prix fournit un ensemble de graphiques indiquant les prix mensuels de l’année commerciale en cours pour certains centres urbains, et permettant à l’utilisateur de comparer les tendances actuelles à la fois aux moyennes quinquennales, qui indiquent les tendances saisonnières, et aux prix de l'année précédente.

L'Afrique de l’Ouest peut être divisée en trois zones agro-écologiques ou en trois bassins commerciaux (bassins de l’ouest, bassin du centre, bassin de l’est). Les deux sont importants pour l'interprétation du comportement et de la dynamique du marché.

Les trois principales zones agro-écologiques incluent la zone Sahélienne, la zone Soudanaise et la zone Côtière où la production et la consommation peuvent être facilement classifiées. (1) Dans la zone Sahélienne, le mil constitue le principal produit alimentaire cultivé et consommé en particulier dans les zones rurales et de plus en plus par certaines populations qui y ont accès en milieux urbains. Des exceptions sont faites pour le Cap Vert où le maïs et le riz sont les produits les plus importants, la Mauritanie où le blé et le sorgho et le Sénégal où le riz constituent des aliments de base. Les principaux produits de substitution dans le Sahel sont le sorgho, le riz, et la farine de manioc (Gari), avec les deux derniers en période de crise. (2) Dans la zone Soudanienne (le sud du Tchad, le centre du Nigéria, du Bénin, du Ghana, du Togo, de la Côte d'Ivoire, le sud du Burkina Faso, du Mali, du Sénégal, la Guinée Bissau, la Serra Leone, le Libéria) le maïs et le sorgho constituent les principales céréales consommées par la majorité de la population. Suivent après le riz et les tubercules particulièrement le manioc et l’igname. (3) Dans la zone côtière, avec deux saisons de pluie, l’igname et le maïs constituent les principaux produits alimentaires. Ils sont complétés par le niébé, qui est une source très significative de protéines.

Les trois bassins commerciaux sont simplement connus sous les noms de bassin Ouest, Centre, et Est. En plus du mouvement du sud vers le nord des produits, les flux de certaines céréales se font aussi horizontalement. (1) Le bassin Ouest comprend la Mauritanie, le Sénégal, l’ouest du Mali, la Sierra Leone, la Guinée, le Libéria, et la Gambie où le riz est le plus commercialisé. (2) Le bassin central se compose de la Côte d'Ivoire, le centre et l’est du Mali, le Burkina Faso, le Ghana, et le Togo où le maïs est généralement commercialisé. (3) Le bassin Est se rapporte au Niger, Nigéria, Tchad, et Bénin où le millet est le plus fréquemment commercialisé. Ces trois bassins commerciaux sont distingués sur la carte ci-dessus.

I. Introduction

1. In a letter dated 29 December 2016 (S/2016/1129), the Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) until 31 December 2019 and requested me to submit a report every six months on the implementation of its mandate. The present report covers the period from 1 July to 31 December 2017 and provides an overview of developments and trends in West Africa and the Sahel. It also outlines the activities of UNOWAS and progress made in the implementation of the United Nations integrated strategy for the Sahel. In addition, it provides an update on the situation in the Lake Chad basin, pursuant to Security Council resolution 2349 (2017).

II. Developments and trends in West Africa and the Sahel

1. During the reporting period, political tensions relating to constitutional reform and political dialogue processes in Guinea, Mauritania, the Niger and Togo took centre stage in those countries. Elections were held in Liberia and Senegal, while electoral preparations continued in Guinea and Sierra Leone. Some progress was made in key reform processes in Burkina Faso and the Gambia. Nevertheless, the security situation in West Africa and the Sahel remained fragile. Terrorist activities and cross-border crime, including piracy and trafficking in drugs and weapons, continued to pose threats to the stability of the region. While activities by Boko Haram surged, a significant number of the group’s fighters surrendered to national authorities. There were also internal security challenges in Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria.
   Although the humanitarian situation in the region remained dire, West African economies continued their positive trajectory. Moreover, several countries made progress in the promotion and protection of human rights.

A. Political and governance trends

1. In Burkina Faso, the constitutional reform and national reconciliation processes continued slowly. Meanwhile, the Speaker of the National Assembly and Chair of the ruling Mouvement du peuple pour le progrès, Salif Diallo, passed away in France on 19 August. He was replaced by Alassane Bala Sakandé, also a member of the ruling party, on 8 September. On 10 October, the former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Djibril Bassolé, was temporarily released from prison pending trial and placed under house arrest. He had been imprisoned since September 2015 because of his alleged involvement in the failed coup attempt of 2015. His release renewed controversy about the capacity of the judicial authorities to speedily bring to trial individuals accused of crimes committed under the previous political dispensation.

2. In Côte d’Ivoire, a government reshuffle was announced on 19 July. The Minister of the Interior and Security, Hamed Bakayoko, was reassigned to the Ministry of Defence, while his former post went to the former Mayor of Abidjan, Sidiki Diakité. Changes also occurred within the ruling Rassemblement des républicains (RDR), which held its third congress on 9 and 10 September. During the congress, Henriette Diabaté, who has been Secretary-General of RDR since 1999, was elected President of the party, while the current Prime Minister, Amadou Gon Coulibaly, was appointed its First Vice-President.

3. In the Gambia, the administration of the President, Adama Barrow, launched reform processes in the areas of security, transitional justice and reconciliation. Rumours of possible attempts by supporters of the former President, Yahya Jammeh, to destabilize the country from abroad did not materialize. Political tension remained localized in the Foni area, a stronghold of the former President. To mitigate the tension, a dialogue and reconciliation event was organized by the National Council for Civic Education with residents of the area in June. On 8 September, Fatoumata Tambajang was appointed Vice-President, following the adoption of a constitutional amendment raising the age limit for serving as President or Vice-President from 65 to 75 years. She was sworn in on 9 November.

4. In Guinea, the Independent National Electoral Commission announced that local elections would be held on 4 February 2018. Meanwhile, the opposition continued to stage demonstrations calling for the full implementation of the political agreement of 12 October 2016 and suspended its participation in the follow-up committee responsible for overseeing the implementation of the agreement. Protests were also conducted by citizens in mining communities in the Boké region of the country to raise complaints about the inadequate provision of social services. In September, protesters clashed with security forces, which resulted in two deaths and several injuries.

5. In Liberia, general elections were held on 10 October. Twenty presidential candidates and 1,026 legislative candidates participated in the polls, which were marked by high voter turnout and a peaceful environment. Regional and international partners, including the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), deployed electoral observation missions. In the presidential election, George Weah, of the Coalition for Democratic Change, received 38.4 per cent of the vote, while the incumbent Vice-President, Joseph Boakai, of the Unity Party, came in second with 28.8 per cent. A run-off presidential election, initially scheduled for 7 November, was postponed by the Supreme Court following the filing of complaints against the National Elections Commission management of the electoral process by the All Liberia Coalition Party, the Liberty Party and the Unity Party. On 7 December, the Court dismissed the complaints for lack of evidence and ordered the National Elections Commission to proceed with scheduling the run-off. It has now been scheduled for 26 December.

6. In Mauritania, a constitutional referendum called by the President, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, was held on 5 August. It approved the abolishment of the Senate and the establishment of regional councils, in addition to changes to the national flag, the national anthem and the composition of the Constitutional Court. Several opposition parties and civil society organizations, which had campaigned for a boycott of the referendum, rejected its results. They argued that the referendum could pave the way for further constitutional changes to extend presidential powers and remove term limits. The President has repeatedly denied such claims. Following the referendum, the opposition leader, Mohamed Ould Ghadda, who had been an outspoken opponent of the referendum, was arrested on allegations of corruption. A number of senators and journalists were also summoned and interrogated.

7. In the Niger, tensions between the ruling party and the opposition continued in the absence of an inclusive dialogue process. A new electoral code, under which a permanent independent national electoral commission was established, was adopted on 14 October.

8. Nigeria witnessed renewed secessionist agitation for an independent Biafra State in the south-eastern part of the country. The agitation exposed persisting ethnic and religious divisions between mainly Muslim communities in the north and Christian Igbo communities in the south-east. In what was considered a counter-move to the agitation, the Arewa Youth Forum, a coalition of youth leaders in northern Nigeria, issued an ultimatum to all members of the Igbo community residing in the north to leave the region by 1 October. In response, the then Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, led consultations with political, religious and traditional authorities to promote national unity. In addition, following his return from medical leave abroad, the President, Muhammadu Buhari, underscored in a speech on 21 August that the unity of Nigeria was “not negotiable”. Meanwhile, the Government continued to pursue its anti-graft campaign. In that regard, the exoneration of the President of the Senate, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, from charges of fraud prompted civil society activists to question the independence of the judiciary.

9. In Senegal, legislative elections were held on 30 July. The ruling coalition, Benno Bokk Yakaar, secured 125 out of the 165 seats in the National Assembly. The coalition led by the former President, Abdoulaye Wade, came second. Although elected to the parliament, the Mayor of Dakar, Khalifa Sall, has remained in detention since March on charges of mismanagement of public funds.

10. In Sierra Leone, preparations continued for the holding of presidential, legislative and local elections scheduled for 7 March 2018. Violent incidents, involving party supporters, occurred throughout the reporting period. Meanwhile, the constitutional referendum, which had been scheduled for September 2017, was not held.

11. In Togo, a wave of protests was initiated by the opposition Parti national panafricain on 19 August in Lomé, Sokodé and Kara. The protesters amplified their long-standing demands for a return to the Constitution of 1992, the introduction of a two-round voting system for the presidential election and the full implementation of the comprehensive political agreement of 2006, signed by the Government, the opposition and other national stakeholders. On 19 September, the National Assembly adopted a bill to amend the Constitution by reintroducing presidential term limits and a two-round voting modality for the presidential election. The opposition boycotted the vote on the bill, as it did not include a provision, similar to that contained in the Constitution of 1992, stipulating that “under no circumstances” could a person serve for more than two presidential terms. Consequently, the parliamentary vote did not attain the four-fifths majority required to amend the Constitution and the bill was deferred, to be voted on through a referendum that has yet to be held. Regional leaders have since taken the lead in efforts to assist national stakeholders in peacefully resolving the crisis.

B.  Security trends

1. The security situation in West Africa and the Sahel continued to be marked by asymmetrical and terrorist attacks against security forces and civilians. Some countries in the region faced several internal security challenges. In addition, maritime piracy, drug trafficking and transnational organized crime continue d to affect the security situation.

2. In Burkina Faso, a terrorist attack in Ouagadougou, carried out on 13 August, resulted in 18 casualties. The northern province of Soum witnessed frequent attacks on military and civilian targets, leading to, among other things, the closure of many schools in the area. Meanwhile, militant activities, including those carried out by the home-grown Ansar al-Islam movement, gradually spread to the north-western part of the country.

3. In Côte d’Ivoire, the reporting period was marked by clashes relating to land in the cocoa belt, attacks against security facilities, a wave of jailbreaks and continuing protests by former elements of the Forces nouvelles who had been demobilized following the post-electoral crisis. On 7 September, the Minister of the Interior and Security announced that 35 people had been arrested following investigations into the attacks on security installations. On 9 November, the Chief of Protocol of the Speaker of the National Assembly, Souleymane Kamaraté Koné, was arrested following an investigation into a cache of weapons that had been discovered in Bouaké in May.

4. In Mali, the security situation was characterized by asymmetrical attacks against security forces and humanitarian actors as well as by fighting between parties signatory to the peace agreement. As a result, the anticipated reinstatement of State services faced challenges, while some local communities resorted to aligning themselves with militant groups for protection.

5. In the Niger, multiple attacks in the Tillabéri region resulted in the deaths of several security personnel, including members of a mixed patrol of special forces of the Niger and the United States of America, on 4 October. However, the number of violent incidents declined significantly in the Diffa region, on the border with northeastern Nigeria.

6. Nigeria continued to face multiple security challenges. Security forces clashed with members of the secessionist Indigenous People of Biafra movement in Abia State in September. In addition, there were violent confrontations between farmers and herders in the Middle Belt and other regions, leading to increased intercommunal tensions. Some 100 people died as a result of two incidents that occurred in July, in Kaduna and Benue States. On 16 October, 29 people were killed while seeking shelter in a school in Plateau State. The level of armed violence in the Delta area remained low owing to the reinstated amnesty programme, new deployments of troops in six Delta states and peace initiatives by local, regional, and national leaders.

7. According to the International Maritime Bureau, the number of incidents of maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea fell slightly during the reporting period.
   Between January and September, the Bureau registered 31 actual and attempted attacks on vessels in the larger Gulf of Guinea area, compared with 46 incidents during the same period in 2016, accounting for one quarter of such incidents reported by the Bureau worldwide. The majority of the incidents occurred in Nigerian waters.

8. Drug trafficking and transnational organized crime remained a source of instability. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), several seizures of drugs were reported, including a number of cocaine shipments that were confiscated between Mali and the Niger in September. In Mauritania on 24 September, security forces arrested smugglers carrying drugs, weapons and communications equipment. In Nigeria, the authorities reported the seizure of sever al container-loads of weapons being smuggled into the country.

Boko Haram

1. National and international efforts notwithstanding, attacks by Boko Haram surged during the reporting period, especially in Nigeria. Of the 156 suspected Boko Haram attacks carried out in July, August and September, 100 took place in Nigeria and 5 in the Niger. Overall, 295 fatalities were recorded between June and September in the two countries, exceeding figures for the first six months of the year. In Nigeria, Boko Haram continued to conduct raids and incursions, often using suicide bombers, usually women and girls, and improvised explosive devices targeting crowded places.
   Security forces were also targeted, as illustrated by the raid on a military base conducted in the town of Marte, Borno State, on 13 October and the attack on a military convoy carried out near Damboa, Borno State, on 18 October. Eleven cases of abduction by Boko Haram were also recorded during the reporting period. Of the approximately 32 people abducted, 19 were reportedly minors, including 13 girls.
   Meanwhile, significant numbers of Boko Haram fighters surrendered to national authorities.

2. The withdrawal of Chadian troops from the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Niger, which was completed in September, had an impact on the response effort of the Force. In addition, allegations of human rights violations by security personnel undermined cooperation with affected communities and intelligence -gathering.

3. The Peace and Security Council of the African Union visited the Lake Chad basin from 27 to 31 July. It subsequently adopted a decision, on 28 September, in which it expressed concern about the resource challenges facing the Multinational Joint Task Force, reaffirmed the need for a comprehensive approach in efforts to combat Boko Haram and called for a dedicated summit of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and ECOWAS to be held to develop a strategy for the promotion of peace, security and development in the Lake Chad basin.

4. From 2 to 4 November, the African Union and the Lake Chad Basin Commission convened a regional stabilization conference in N’Djamena on supporting the development of a framework for a regional stabilization strategy for areas affected by Boko Haram. Conference participants recommended the establishment of a task force for the development of a comprehensive strategy for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration activities in the areas affected by Boko Haram.

Sahel/Joint Force of the Group of Five for the Sahel

1. Following the adoption by the Security Council of its resolution 2359 (2017) on the deployment of the Joint Force of the Group of Five for the Sahel (G-5 Sahel), a delegation from the Council visited Burkina Faso, Mali and Mauritania from 19 to 22 October. Subsequently, on 30 October, the Council convened a ministerial meeting on the Force, during which I gave a briefing on the status of its operationalization. I reaffirmed the need for the Force to have sound mechanisms for the protection of civilians. I also reaffirmed the necessity of a comprehensive approach to addressing the root causes of the situation in the Sahel.

2. On 8 December, the Security Council adopted resolution 2391 (2017), in which it set out the modalities for United Nations support to the Force. I was requested to conclude a technical agreement among the States members of the G-5 Sahel, the European Union and the United Nations for the provision of operational and logistical support to the Force through the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali.

3. On 13 July, the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, and the European Union announced the launch of the Alliance for the Sahel, intended to ensure security and stability in the short term and development in the long term in the region. The initiative involves other States members of the European Union, the World Bank Group, the African Development Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and is intended to fast track the provision of assistance, including the mobilization of resources for the Joint Force. On 13 December, the President of France convened a high-level meeting with the States members of the G-5 Sahel and their partners in Paris to mobilize support for the Force.

I. Introduction

1. Dans une lettre datée du 29 décembre 2016 S/2016/1129, le Conseil de sécurité a prorogé le mandat du Bureau des Nations Unies pour l’Afrique de l’Ouest et le Sahel (UNOWAS) jusqu’au 31 décembre 2019 et m’a prié de lui rendre compte, tous les six mois, de l’exécution du mandat du Bureau. Le présent rapport, qui porte sur la période allant du 1 er juillet au 31 décembre 2017, donne un aperçu de l’évolution de la situation et des tendances observées en Afrique de l’Ouest et au Sahel, ainsi que des précisions sur les activités du Bureau et les progrès accomplis dans la mise en œuvre de la Stratégie intégrée des Nations Unies pour le Sahel. Y figure également, comme suite à la résolution 2349 (2017) du Conseil de sécurité, une évaluation de la situation dans le bassin du lac Tchad.

II. Évolution et tendances en Afrique de l’Ouest et au Sahel

1. Au cours de la période considérée, des tensions liées à la réforme constitutionnelle et aux processus de dialogue politique en cours ont occupé le devant de la scène en Guinée, en Mauritanie, au Niger et au Togo. Des élections ont eu lieu au Libéria et au Sénégal et des préparatifs en ce sens se sont poursuivis en Guinée et en Sierra Leone. Au Burkina Faso et en Gambie, des progrès ont été faits dans d’importants domaines de réforme. Cependant, dans l’ensemble de l’Afrique de l’Ouest et au Sahel, les conditions de sécurité sont restées précaires. Les activités terroristes et la criminalité transfrontalière, notamment la piraterie et le trafic de drogues et d’armes, ont continué de menacer la stabilité de la région. Parallèlement à l’intensification des activités de Boko Haram, de nombreux combattants du groupe se sont rendus aux autorités nationales. Des problèmes de sécurité intérieure ont également été constatés en Côte d’Ivoire et au Nigéria. Malgré une situation humanitaire désastreuse, les pays de la région ont connu une embellie sur le plan économique et plusieurs ont, en outre, fait des progrès dans la promotion et la protection des droits de l’homme.

Stewardship of $15m in foreign support for deadly outbreak under scrutiny as officials are accused of failing to honour promises

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In this issue
On the Agenda
The 30th AU summit will be an opportunity to start implementing AU reforms.

Ten new members of the PSC will be elected at the summit.

Clarifying the relationship between the AU and RECs is on the reform agenda.

Situation Analysis
Parliamentary elections are on the cards for Guinea- Bissau in 2018.

Addis Insight
An analysis of the work of the PSC this year shows fewer meetings were held on crisis situations.

Election observers need to up their game in 2018 if they are to remain relevant.

In the past year the AU has taken some steps towards silencing the guns.

PSC Interview
The PSC Report speaks to the AU head of con ict prevention and early warning.

SC/13161

SECURITY COUNCIL
8156TH MEETING (AM)

Despite progress in West Africa and the Sahel, particularly regarding democratic and peaceful political transitions, the security situation in the region remained a grave concern, the Security Council heard today in a briefing by the Special Representative of the Secretary‑General in the region.

Following a notable decline in Boko Haram attacks in the first half of 2017, there had been an uptick in the number of such incidents since September, with a peak of 143 civilian casualties in November, said Mohamed Ibn Chambas, who is also the Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), as he introduced the Secretary‑General’s report (document S/2017/1104).

Boko Haram’s use of children as suicide bombers had increased fivefold from 2016, reaching 135 such cases in 2017, he said. Although 700 people abducted by Boko Haram had recently escaped captivity, the group continued to kidnap innocent people. “More than 2 million displaced persons are still desperately waiting for an end to the crisis in the Lake Chad Basin,” he stressed.

Further, the exponential spread of intercommunal and farmer‑herder conflicts, which had claimed hundreds of lives, was a “ticking time bomb”, he said, “which unattended, could escalate beyond the community level”.

Despite those worrying trends, the trajectory of successful democratic elections across West Africa continued, he said, pointing to the large number of people who had participated in peaceful 10 October and 26 December elections in Liberia. “I applaud the Liberian people and their leaders for their recourse to exclusively legal means to settle all electoral‑related disputes,” he said, efforts that had strengthened democratic institutions.

Looking ahead, he said attention must be paid to upcoming elections in Sierra Leone and Guinea. In Togo, opposition parties continued with street protests, while a lack of consensus on how to implement constitutional reforms could threaten legislative and local elections to be held later this year, he stressed.

Following his briefing, the representative of Côte d’Ivoire highlighted that the peaceful presidential elections and democratic transfer of power in Liberia had created hope that the country had “turned a corner” and ended decades of military and political crises. The events there provided a good example to Africa and the West African region, in particular.

Nevertheless, while such progress was promising, he expressed concern about the prevalence of threats from terrorism and violent extremism, which were linked to transboundary organized crime, trafficking in migrants, drugs, weapons and human beings. Those challenges were compounded by poverty and unemployment, particularly among the youth in areas where the State had difficulty carrying out its sovereign functions.

Equatorial Guinea’s delegate underscored that climate change was having a severe impact on the region, particularly on animal husbandry and agricultural production. Desertification due to climate change had led farmers and ranchers to migrate, stoking further tensions, he emphasized.

Peru’s representative focused on preventative diplomacy, stressing that UNOWAS stood out for its capacity to prevent conflict, while its monitoring and early warning functions had helped to reduce tensions in a number of countries in the subregion. That capacity should be strengthened and leveraged, he said, describing the Office as an appropriate platform to coordinate regional and subregional efforts.

Sweden’s delegate, meanwhile, stressed that adequate resources must be made available as UNOWAS was asked to do more, including in support of the transitions from peacekeeping to non‑mission settings in Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire.

Also speaking today were representatives of Bolivia, the Netherlands, Ethiopia and Kazakhstan.

The meeting began at 10:08 a.m. and ended at 11:11 a.m.

Briefing

MOHAMED IBN CHAMBAS, Special Representative of the Secretary‑General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), introduced the Secretary‑General’s report on that Office (document S/2017/1104), and said that despite progress in West Africa and the Sahel, notably regarding democratic and peaceful political transitions, the security situation was a grave concern. Terrorists had launched a complex attack on United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) positions in Kidal, resulting in the death of one peacekeeper. Three Malian soldiers had also recently lost their lives due to a landmine, while another had been killed by terrorists. Those attacks, as well as others committed in the Mali‑Niger‑Burkina Faso tri‑border area, had been attributed to Al‑Qaida‑affiliated groups, and Islamic State in the Greater Sahara.

In Niger, he said an increasing number of security incidents had compelled the Government to dedicate 17 per cent of public expenditure in 2018 to the security sector, compared to 15 per cent in 2017, a move met by demonstrations in capital, given the expected detrimental effects on the delivery of social services. Following a notable decline in Boko Haram attacks in the first half of 2017, there had been an uptick in the number of incidents since September, with a peak of 143 civilian casualties in November. Boko Haram’s use of children as suicide bombers increased fivefold compared to 2016, reaching 135 such cases in 2017. Although 700 people abducted by Boko Haram had recently escaped captivity, the group continued to kidnap innocent people, he said, adding: “More than 2 million displaced persons are still desperately waiting for an end to the crisis in the Lake Chad Basin.”

In the Sahel, he said the Group of Five (G5) countries [Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger] had made significant progress in operationalizing their Joint Force, having established its military command structure and force headquarters, and conducted its first military operation with French troops in October 2017. Consultations were ongoing to conclude a technical agreement among the United Nations, European Union and G5 Sahel States on the provision of operational and logistical support to the Joint Force through MINUSMA. The past six months had also seen substantive progress in efforts to reinvigorate the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel. A support plan for the Strategy would now be shared with national, regional and international partners to harmonize approaches and canvass for support to the Sahel. However, the exponential spread of intercommunal and farmer‑herder conflicts, which had claimed hundreds of lives, was a concern. “It is a ticking time bomb, which unattended, could escalate beyond the community level,” he warned.

At the December meeting of the Policy Committee of the West Africa Coast Initiative, member States had committed to reinforcing the fight against organized crime, he said, citing migration as among the most lucrative activities for criminal networks across West Africa and the Sahel. The United Nations continued to pioneer the sustaining peace approach in the Gambia and Burkina Faso to ensure the consolidation of those young democracies, where more attention must be paid to security sector reform, national reconciliation and the justice sector. Respect for human rights and the rule of law was the basis for advancing peace, security and development, he said, adding that the good relationship between Cameroon and Nigeria had increased prospects for completing demarcation of the border.

More broadly, the trajectory of successful democratic elections in West Africa continued, he said, pointing to the large number of people who had participated in the peaceful 10 October and 26 December elections in Liberia. “I applaud the Liberian people and their leaders for their recourse to exclusively legal means to settle all electoral‑related disputes,” he said, efforts that had strengthened its democratic institutions. Further attention must be paid to upcoming elections in Sierra Leone and Guinea, while in Togo, opposition parties continued with street protests. The lack of consensus on how to implement constitutional reforms could threaten the holding of legislative and local elections this year.

Statements

BERNARD TANOH-BOUTCHOUE (Côte d’Ivoire) said progress in the area of political governance was promising. Despite advances registered in West Africa, he expressed concern over the prevalence of threats from terrorism and violent extremism, citing proven links to transboundary organized crime, trafficking in migrants, drugs, weapons and human beings. Those threats were compounded by poverty and unemployment, particularly among the young in areas where the State had difficulty carrying out its sovereign functions. In the search for sustainable solutions, efforts must be pooled. In Liberia, peaceful presidential elections and the democratic transfer of power had given rise to hope that the country had “turned a corner” and ended decades of military and political crises. It had set a good example to Africa and the West African region in particular. It was now up to the international community, as the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) would soon leave, to support efforts of the Government and civil society to consolidate the benefits of the democratic transition.

OLOF SKOOG (Sweden) said UNOWAS continued to carry out various important functions, in particular through the use of its good offices. It also played a critical role by contributing to strategic and integrated analysis of the opportunities, risks and challenges faced by national and local authorities in efforts to sustain peace. On Liberia, he commended the country for its peaceful, transparent, free and fair election process, which had just concluded. Adequate resources must be made available as UNOWAS was asked to do more, including in support of the transitions from peacekeeping to non‑mission settings in Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire.

GUSTAVO MEZA-CUADRA (Peru), noting that UNOWAS was a flexible mechanism which could be adapted, called it an appropriate platform for coordinating regional and subregional efforts to combat threats to peace and security in the region. In the area of preventative diplomacy, it stood out for its capacity to prevent conflict, while its monitoring and early warning functions had helped to reduce tensions in a number of States in the subregion. That capacity should be strengthened and leveraged. In the promotion of institutional strengthening, its ability to create a joint vision meant it could play a large role in coordinating efforts with the African Union. In the fight against violent extremism and terrorism, he cited the Office’s efficient efforts in countering the threat of Boko Haram.

SACHA SERGIO LLORENTTY SOLÍZ (Bolivia) said UNOWAS was essential, while highlighting the need for women to participate in political processes and peace and security. He pointed to the high level of coordination that UNOWAS had sought with regional and subregional bodies, including the African Union, which had helped West Africa make significant progress in several areas. In Liberia, he underscored the vital electoral process that had taken place in a peaceful and stable environment, calling those polls a clear demonstration that the processes of reconciliation were fundamental to strengthening the role of institutions in working to achieve peace. He expressed concern about the complex security situation in a number of countries in the region, noting that the humanitarian situation was cause for alarm, with some 5 million displaced persons — 2 million of whom were in the Lake Chad Basin, and many of whom faced acute food insecurity.

LISE GREGOIRE VAN HAAREN (Netherlands) said the Council had been correct in setting conflict prevention as a priority for UNOWAS. A year after a turbulent change of power, the Gambia was on the right track. In Togo, the Special Representative had collaborated with the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to encourage national stakeholders to engage in a much‑needed dialogue reform, while in Liberia, UNOWAS had played a key role towards peaceful elections. Cross‑border cooperation was also important. In the Lake Chad area, countries had established the Multinational Joint Task Force to tackle the challenge of Boko Haram. However, that threat continued to loom large and the resource challenge was difficult to overcome.

ANATOLIO NDONG MBA (Equatorial Guinea) said the report drew attention to the humanitarian crisis in the region, which stemmed from the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks, resulting in more than 2.5 million displaced persons in the Lake Chad Basin and a severe food crisis impacting some 500,000. It was essential that the international community decisively support the G5 Sahel and the Multinational Joint Task Force by providing them with the necessary means to combat the terrorism. Climate change was also having a severe impact on the region, particularly on animal husbandry and agricultural production, causing serious tensions in some countries. Desertification due to climate change had forced farmers and ranchers to migrate, stoking further tensions. He welcomed the peaceful spirit of recent elections in West Africa, calling them a cornerstone of UNOWAS endeavours and urging the international community to support the current political situation in Guinea Bissau.

TEKEDA ALEMU (Ethiopia) expressed support for the continued role of the Special Representative and his good offices, underscoring the critical importance of collaboration among the United Nations, the African Union and ECOWAS. Regarding political governance, he welcomed the conduct of peaceful elections in Liberia, which marked an important milestone in national efforts to build a sustainable democracy. However, the country also had great need for international support. Such democratic institutions were not built in a day; they must be underpinned by economic and social sectors. Turning to security dynamics, he said it was clear the region faced challenges from violent extremism, drug trafficking and other transnational organized crime.

KAIRAT UMAROV (Kazakhstan), Security Council president for January, said in his national capacity that the Office’s work had become even more challenging with the closure of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) and UNMIL. That was also true given the increasing threat of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, with their links to transnational organized crime. He expressed deep concern over the food insecurity and forced displacement among civilians caused by terrorist activities. Kazakhstan fully supported regional initiatives to address those threats through the G5‑Sahel Joint Force and the Multinational Joint Task Force, he said, commending international partners for mobilizing the financial support needed for those activities.

For information media. Not an official record.

CS/13161
11 JANVIER 2018 8156E SÉANCE – MATIN

Le Représentant spécial du Secrétaire général pour l’Afrique de l’Ouest, M. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, a expliqué, ce matin, devant le Conseil de sécurité, qu’en dépit de progrès continus réalisés en matière de transition démocratique et politique, la situation sécuritaire dans la région demeurait une source de grave préoccupation.

Venu présenter le dernier rapport* du Secrétaire général sur les activités de Bureau des Nations Unies pour l’Afrique de l’Ouest et le Sahel (UNOWAS), M. Chambas s’est notamment dit préoccupé par les incidents sécuritaires au Mali, du fait notamment des activités de groupes affiliés à Al-Qaida et à l’État islamique du Grand Sahara, ainsi qu’au Niger.

Il a souligné qu’après un déclin notable des attaques perpétrées par Boko Haram, les incidents se sont multipliés depuis le mois de septembre. En tout, deux millions de personnes attendent désespérément que se termine la crise dans le bassin du lac Tchad, s’est-il alarmé.

Aux activités terroristes s’ajoutent également les effets délétères de la désertification qui, a relevé le représentant de la Guinée équatoriale, pousse les éleveurs à la transhumance, une source constante de tension dans la région. La propagation exponentielle des conflits intercommunaux et entre agriculteurs et éleveurs a du reste été qualifiée de véritable « bombe à retardement » pour la région par M. Chambas.

Face à autant de défis, de nombreux membres du Conseil ont plaidé pour la mise en œuvre intégrale de la Stratégie intégrée des Nations Unies pour le Sahel, le représentant de la Guinée équatoriale jugeant en outre urgent que la communauté internationale apporte un soutien décisif à la Force multinationale mixte et à la Force conjointe du G5 Sahel (FC-G5S).

Alors qu’une structure de commandement militaire ainsi qu’un quartier général de la Force conjointe du G5 Sahel ont récemment été établis, le Représentant spécial a aussi estimé que la réponse sécuritaire devait être complétée par des mesures destinées à renforcer la gouvernance, le développement ainsi que la résilience de la population sahélienne.

Le représentant de la Côte d’Ivoire a également appelé à tirer le meilleur parti des organisations régionales et sous-régionales, comme l’Union africaine et la Communauté économique des États de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (CEDEAO), dont les médiations au Burkina Faso, en Guinée-Bissau et en Gambie, a-t-il noté, se sont avérées décisives.

À l’instar du Pérou, plusieurs délégations ont par ailleurs salué l’efficacité de l’UNOWAS, notamment dans les domaines de la diplomatie préventive, la coordination avec les organismes sous-régionaux et la lutte contre le terrorisme et l’extrémisme violent.

Le représentant du Kazakhstan a toutefois noté que l’UNOWAS se voyait confronté à de nouveaux défis depuis la fermeture de l’Opération des Nations Unies en Côte d’Ivoire (ONUCI) et de la Mission des Nations Unies au Libéria (MINUL), ainsi qu’en raison de la menace croissante posée par le terrorisme et l’extrémisme violent en Afrique de l’Ouest et au Sahel.

Estimant que toute approche militaire et humanitaire devrait être assortie d’un volet « développement », soutenu par un financement durable et prévisible, la délégation kazakhe a en outre estimé nécessaire de reconfigurer la Stratégie intégrée des Nations Unies pour le Sahel.

Dans son intervention, le Chef de l’UNOWAS a par ailleurs salué l’aboutissement du processus électoral au Libéria, où un nouveau président a été élu à l’issue d’un « remarquable processus électoral », pour citer les propos de la délégation bolivienne qui y a vu la preuve que les processus de réconciliation axés sur un processus sans exclusive sont essentiels.

M. Chambas a estimé que le Conseil devait à présent porter son attention sur les élections qui doivent se dérouler prochainement en Sierra Leone et en Guinée, avertissant par ailleurs que l’absence de consensus sur la mise en œuvre des réformes constitutionnelles au Togo menace le déroulement des élections législatives et locales qui y sont prévues cette année.

Il a également touché mot de la situation au Burkina Faso et en Gambie où les Nations Unies continuent de mettre en œuvre une approche pionnière en matière de pérennisation de la paix.

*S/2017/1104

CONSOLIDATION DE LA PAIX EN AFRIQUE DE L’OUEST

Rapport du Secrétaire général sur les activités du Bureau des Nations Unies pour l’Afrique de l’Ouest et le Sahel(S/2017/1104)

Déclarations

M. MOHAMED IBN CHAMBAS, Représentant spécial du Secrétaire général et Chef du Bureau des Nations Unies pour l’Afrique de l’Ouest et le Sahel (UNOWAS), a indiqué qu’en dépit de progrès continus réalisés en Afrique de l’Ouest et au Sahel, notamment en ce qui concerne les transitions démocratique et politique pacifiques, la situation sécuritaire dans la région demeurait une source de grave préoccupation. Il a notamment évoqué les attentats au Mali, dont certains se sont soldés par la mort de Casques bleus, à Kidal notamment, précisant que ceux-ci étaient attribués aux groupes affiliés à Al-Qaida et à l’État islamique du Grand Sahara.

Au Niger, a-t-il poursuivi, la hausse des incidents sécuritaires contraint désormais le Gouvernement à consacrer, en 2018, 17% de ses dépenses publiques au secteur de la sécurité, comparé à 15% en 2017, provoquant des manifestations dans la capitale en raison de l’impact de cette mesure sur l’octroi des services sociaux.

Par ailleurs, après un déclin notable des attaques perpétrées par Boko Haram, les incidents se sont multipliés depuis le mois de septembre, faisant 143 victimes parmi les civils au courant du seul mois de novembre. L’utilisation d’enfants kamikazes a quintuplé depuis 2016 et en dépit de la libération de 700 personnes, le groupe continu d’enlever des innocents. En tout, deux millions de personnes attendent désespérément que se termine la crise dans le bassin du lac Tchad, s’est-il inquiété.

M. Chambas a indiqué que le Groupe des cinq pays du Sahel avait réalisé des progrès notables pour opérationnaliser leur Force conjointe, notamment en établissant une structure de commandement militaire ainsi qu’un quartier général à Sévaré. Une première opération militaire a également été lancée au mois d’octobre avec des troupes françaises. Il a souligné que la réponse sécuritaire devait être complétée par des mesures destinées à renforcer la gouvernance, le développement ainsi que la résilience de la population sahélienne.

Le Représentant spécial a aussi indiqué qu’un plan d’appui à la Stratégie intégrée des Nations Unies pour le Sahel sera prochainement partagé avec les partenaires nationaux, régionaux et internationaux afin d’harmoniser les efforts et de définir un appui effectif pour le Sahel.

Poursuivant, le Représentant spécial a affirmé que la propagation exponentielle des conflits intercommunaux et entre agriculteurs et éleveurs avait fait des centaines de victimes et a averti que cette situation, véritable bombe à retardement, risquait de dépasser le niveau communautaire si on l’ignorait. Il a également signalé que la migration était devenue l’une des activités les plus lucratives des réseaux criminels de l’Afrique de l’Ouest et du Sahel et a appelé à continuer de faire de l’élimination de la traite des êtres humains une priorité pour 2018.

M. Chambas a ensuite indiqué que l’ONU continuait de mettre en œuvre une approche pionnière en matière de pérennisation de la paix en Gambie et au Burkina Faso. Il a précisé qu’un ferme appui de la communauté internationale au plan d’urgence du Burkina Faso permettra à ce pays de faire face aux menaces à sa paix et à sa sécurité.

Alors que le processus de consolidation démocratique est en cours en Gambie, le Représentant spécial a estimé que davantage d’attention devait être accordée aux défis auxquels font face ces deux pays dans le domaine de la réforme du secteur de la sécurité, la réconciliation nationale et la justice.

Il a par ailleurs salué l’adoption, au Burkina Faso, d’une nouvelle loi sur les défenseurs des droits de l’homme ainsi que l’adoption d’une loi visant à établir une commission nationale des droits de l’homme en Gambie. Le lancement, au Nigéria, de procédures judiciaires contre les personnes soupçonnées d’appartenir à Boko Haram mérite également d’être salué, a-t-il ajouté.

Le Représentant spécial a par ailleurs parlé de la situation au Libéria où un nouveau président a été élu à l’issue d’un processus pacifique, saluant le fait que les différends liés au scrutin aient été réglés par des moyens exclusivement juridiques. Il y a également vu la démonstration de l’efficacité de la diplomatie préventive.

Il a appelé à se pencher à présent sur les élections qui doivent se dérouler prochainement en Sierra Leone et en Guinée, avertissant par ailleurs que l’absence de consensus sur la mise en œuvre des réformes constitutionnelle au Togo menace le déroulement des élections législatives et locales qui y sont prévues cette année.

Enfin, après avoir rendu hommage à la Présidente sortante du Libéria, Mme Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, M. Chambas a appelé à redoubler d’efforts pour promouvoir la participation des femmes au processus de prise de décisions et veiller à ce que les jeunes de la région occupent une place centrale dans les politiques de développement.

En dépit des progrès enregistrés en Afrique de l’Ouest, M. BERNARD TANOH-BOUTCHOUE (Côte d’Ivoire) s’est déclaré préoccupé par la prévalence de l’insécurité dans la région, et par les phénomènes qui en sont les corollaires, comme la traite des êtres humains ou le trafic de stupéfiants, particulièrement dans les zones caractérisées par l’absence d’institutions régaliennes de l’État. Il lui a paru indispensable, dans ce contexte, de tirer le meilleur parti des organisations régionales et sous-régionales, comme l’Union africaine et la Communauté économique des États de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (CEDEAO), dont les médiations au Burkina Faso, en Guinée-Bissau et en Gambie se sont avérées décisives. Le représentant a ensuite plaidé pour la mise en œuvre intégrale de la Stratégie intégrée des Nations Unies pour le Sahel, qui reste tributaire de la matérialisation des engagements pris par les bailleurs de fonds internationaux.

M. Tanoh-Boutchoue s’est réjoui de l’adoption par le Conseil de sécurité de la résolution 2391 (2017), qui demande la fourniture, par l’intermédiaire de la Mission multidimensionnelle intégrée des Nations Unies pour la stabilisation au Mali (MINUSMA), d’un appui opérationnel et logistique spécial à la Force conjointe du G5 Sahel. La délégation ivoirienne appelle en outre à des mécanismes de financement prévisibles et durables de la Force conjointe du G5 Sahel. Le représentant a par ailleurs salué les efforts déployés par les pays participants à la Force multinationale mixte, qui a permis de réduire l’insécurité, même si elle perdure dans certaines parties de la région. Il a enfin salué le lancement de l’Alliance pour le Sahel qui entend fédérer les partenaires internationaux dans l’aide qui doit être apportée pour favoriser le développement de cette région, avant de donner l’assurance que son gouvernement continuerait de fournir au Bureau des Nations Unies pour l’Afrique de l’Ouest et le Sahel (UNOWAS) l’appui indispensable dont celui-ci a besoin.

Pour M. OLOF SKOOG (Suède), les bureaux régionaux des Nations Unies, comme l’UNOWAS, doivent jouer un rôle de premier plan pour placer la prévention des conflits au cœur du travail des Nations Unies. Il a salué les actions de prévention menées par l’UNOWAS, notamment ses missions de bons offices ainsi que sa contribution précieuse en termes d’analyses stratégiques et intégrées des opportunités, risques et défis auxquels les autorités nationales et locales font face dans leurs efforts de maintien de la paix. La Suède appuie fermement ce travail et souhaiterait le voir répliqué dans d’autres régions.

Le représentant a notamment salué les développements positifs au Libéria, pour son processus électoral pacifique, transparent, libre et juste, et en Gambie.

Alors que le Conseil de sécurité demande à l’UNOWAS de faire davantage –y compris en apportant son soutien à la transition de cadres avec une mission de maintien de la paix à des cadres sans mission au Libéria et en Côte d’Ivoire, ou encore pour appuyer les efforts régionaux de lutte contre le terrorisme-, la Suède estime qu’il faut lui garantir les ressources adéquates pour s’acquitter de ces fonctions.

Son représentant a également mis l’accent sur les approches holistiques pour pouvoir répondre aux causes profondes des problèmes et de l’instabilité que rencontrent les pays de la région et qui ne connaissent souvent pas de frontières, comme le terrorisme, les crises humanitaires ou la compétition pour les ressources limitées. À ce titre, il a encouragé la coopération entre l’UNOWAS et d’autres organisations régionales pour développer de telles approches.

M. GUSTAVO MEZA-CUADRA (Pérou) a dit considérer l’UNOWAS comme un outil sui generis efficace, dont la vision holistique et de portée régionale offre une capacité d’action particulière du fait de sa souplesse qui le rend adaptable aux différents défis de la sous-région. Pour le Pérou, l’UNOWAS représente également une plateforme appropriée pour articuler les efforts régionaux et intrarégionaux destinés à traiter les défis complexes qui affectent l’Afrique de l’Ouest. Le représentant a mentionné trois succès qui illustrent le potentiel de l’UNOWAS. En premier lieu, il a cité la diplomatie préventive, concrétisée dans des activités de médiation et de bons offices qui ont permis d’éviter l’apparition ou la dégradation de crises politiques. Cette activité doit être renforcée, a plaidé M. Meza-Cuadra.

En deuxième lieu, le représentant a salué le « remarquable travail de coordination » de l’UNOWAS avec l’Union africaine, la Communauté économique des États de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (CEDEAO) et d’autres organismes sous-régionaux dans le domaine du développement, citant aussi le renforcement des institutions politiques et la mise en œuvre d’instruments de sécurité transfrontalière. Il a également salué le récent accord conclu entre l’UNOWAS et le Bureau régional des Nations Unies pour l’Afrique centrale (BRENUAC) pour améliorer l’assistance dans la région du bassin du lac Tchad.

Enfin, le représentant a estimé que l’UNOWAS avait démontré son efficacité dans le domaine de la lutte contre le terrorisme et l’extrémisme violent. Il a ainsi salué sa contribution à la lutte contre Boko Haram, non seulement les programmes de réinsertion des personnes liées à ce groupe terroriste, mais aussi la lutte contre l’impunité. L’UNOWAS doit aussi être doté des moyens de faire face à la lutte contre la criminalité organisée qui finance souvent le terrorisme, a ajouté M. Meza-Cuadra. Il a conclu en insistant sur l’importance de doter le Bureau des ressources nécessaires pour lui permettre de s’acquitter de ses tâches. Il a enfin salué des initiatives complémentaires en citant l’Alliance pour le Sahel, dirigée par l’Union européenne et à laquelle sont associés la Banque mondiale et la Banque africaine de développement, ainsi que le Programme des Nations Unies pour le développement (PNUD).

M. SACHA SERGIO LLORENTTY SOLÍZ (Bolivie) a jugé primordiale l’activité des missions politiques spéciales en général. Dans le cadre des différentes activités de l’UNOWAS, il a notamment salué son action de promotion de la participation active des femmes aux processus de paix, ainsi que sa coordination avec les organisations régionales comme l’Union africaine ou la Communauté économique des États de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (CEDEAO). Le représentant a également rendu hommage au « remarquable processus électoral » mené au Libéria l’année dernière et en a félicité le peuple de ce pays, y voyant la preuve que les processus de réconciliation axés sur un processus sans exclusive sont essentiels.

Le représentant a ensuite salué les progrès réalisés dans la mise en œuvre de la Stratégie intégrée des Nations Unies pour le Sahel, qu’il a jugée décisive pour relever sur le long terme les défis dans le domaine de la sécurité et pour contribuer à la stabilité sociale et économique et au développement. M. Llorentty Solíz a appelé à aider le Mali qui continue de subir une grave crise. Le représentant a attribué celle-ci aux conséquences des politiques interventionnistes de changement de régime en Libye, qu’il a une nouvelle fois condamnées. Il a appelé de ses vœux à un accord technique entre les Nations Unies, l’Union européenne et le Groupe de cinq pays du Sahel dans le cadre de la résolution 2391 (2017) du Conseil. Le représentant a également condamné le terrorisme et toutes les actions violentes et criminelles menées dans la région, en insistant sur la pleine mise en œuvre de la résolution 2349 (2017) sur la lutte contre le terrorisme, notamment Boko Haram et Daech. À cet égard, il a salué le travail de coordination entre l’UNOWAS, la Force conjointe du G5 Sahel (FC-G5S) et la Force multinationale mixte, ajoutant que ces efforts devraient bénéficier du plein soutien des États Membres.

Enfin, M. Llorentty Solíz s’est dit préoccupé par la grave situation humanitaire que connaît la sous-région et a exhorté la communauté internationale à apporter coopération humanitaire et assistance technique pour défendre les plus vulnérables. Il a également rappelé la nécessité d’appuyer l’architecture régionale et sous-régionale de règlements des conflits en Afrique et a invité à la poursuite des processus de stabilisation politique de la région, et ce, dans le plein respect des principes de souveraineté, d’indépendance et d’intégrité territoriale des États.

Pour Mme LISE HUBERTA JOHANNA GREGOIRE VAN HAAREN (Pays-Bas), l’UNOWAS reste un facilitateur essentiel du soutien de la communauté internationale à cette région pour y promouvoir la stabilité. Elle a identifié trois domaines dans lesquels l’UNOWAS apporte une « valeur ajoutée »: la prévention des conflits, la coopération transfrontalière et régionale et la coordination, trois éléments clefs, selon elle, pour aborder les causes profondes de l’instabilité dans cette région et permettre son développement inclusif et pacifique.

Pour ce qui est de la prévention des conflits, elle a cité le cas de la Gambie où, un an après le changement de pouvoir turbulent, le pays semble être aujourd’hui sur la bonne voie. Au Libéria, a-t-elle rappelé, l’UNOWAS a également joué un rôle important dans la tenue d’élections pacifiques et le prochain rendez-vous sera en Sierra Leone pour tester la marche de l’Afrique de l’Ouest vers la démocratie.

L’approche pluridimensionnelle des objectifs de développement durable est l’outil privilégié de la prévention, a estimé Mme Gregoire Van Haaren, en prenant le cas du lac Tchad où les ressources limitées en eau sont l’une des causes profondes du conflit.

En attendant la réalisation de ces objectifs, sa délégation soutient les activités du Représentant spécial en termes d’alerte rapide et propose qu’une mission conjointe avec la Communauté économique des États de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (CEDEAO) sur ce sujet soit mise sur pied. De plus, elle souhaiterait une analyse détaillée et distincte de la situation au lac Tchad, y compris une analyse en termes d’alerte rapide, dans le prochain rapport du Secrétaire général.

M. ANATOLIO NDONG MBA (Guinée équatoriale) a salué « l’excellent travail » du Représentant spécial du Secrétaire général en Afrique de l’Ouest malgré un contexte difficile marqué notamment par le terrorisme. Face à la grave crise humanitaire et alimentaire que subit la région, il est urgent que la communauté internationale apporte un soutien décisif à la Force multinationale mixte et à la Force conjointe du G5 Sahel (FC-G5S), a-t-il ajouté. Il a en outre souligné les effets délétères de la désertification, qui pousse les éleveurs à la transhumance, laquelle est toujours source de tension dans la région.

Le représentant a dit sa confiance dans la capacité de l’UNOWAS à mettre en avant l’esprit de la Déclaration de Praia sur les élections et la stabilité en Afrique de l’Ouest. Il s’est dit satisfait des aspects positifs recensés dans le rapport du Secrétaire général, tels que la croissance économique de la région, les progrès enregistrés dans la réforme du secteur de la sécurité en Gambie ou au Burkina Faso et le bon déroulement de l’élection présidentielle au Libéria. Il a aussi exhorté la communauté internationale et l’UNOWAS en particulier à appuyer les efforts menés en Guinée-Bissau pour régler définitivement la crise politique, en misant sur un dialogue qui inclue tout le monde. M. Ndong Mba a conclu en dénonçant les menaces terroristes qui pèsent sur l’Afrique de l’Ouest, l’Afrique centrale ou ailleurs. Faisant référence aux infiltrations de mercenaires dans son pays fin décembre, il a appelé la communauté internationale à contrôler ces groupes qui sèment l’instabilité et l’insécurité dans la région.

M. TEKEDA ALEMU (Éthiopie) a affirmé que la collaboration entre les Nations Unies, l’Union africaine et Communauté économique des États de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (CEDEAO) était cruciale. Il a salué le déroulement pacifique des élections au Libéria, estimant qu’un cap important avait été franchi pour édifier une démocratie durable dans le pays. Il a noté toutefois que ce pays continuait d’avoir un besoin notable de l’appui de la communauté internationale, soulignant que les institutions démocratiques doivent être renforcées par les secteurs économiques et sociaux. Le délégué s’est également préoccupé des défis sécuritaires que doit affronter la région, à commencer par l’extrémisme, le trafic de stupéfiants et d’autres crimes transnationaux organisés.

M. KAIRAT UMAROV (Kazakhstan) a souligné les nouveaux défis auxquels est confronté l’UNOWAS en raison de la fermeture de l’Opération des Nations Unies en Côte d'Ivoire (ONUCI) et de la Mission des Nations Unies au Libéria (MINUL), en particulier à la lumière de la menace croissante posée par le terrorisme et l’extrémisme violent en Afrique de l’Ouest et au Sahel. Il s’est dit préoccupé par l’insécurité alimentaire et les déplacements forcés de population causés par les violences dans ces régions. Dans ce contexte, le Kazakhstan a déclaré qu’il soutenait pleinement les initiatives régionales qui cherchent à répondre à ces menaces au travers de la Force conjointe du G5 Sahel et de la Force multinationale mixte, tout en saluant les partenaires internationaux qui œuvrent pour mobiliser l’aide financière à l’appui de ces initiatives. Selon la délégation, toute approche militaire et humanitaire devrait être assortie d’un volet « développement », soutenu par un financement durable et prévisible. À cet égard, le représentant a jugé qu’il fallait reconfigurer la Stratégie intégrée des Nations Unies pour le Sahel et prévoir une approche intégrée pour la région du bassin du lac Tchad.

Elections held in Africa in 2017 show that international election observers need to up their game if they are to remain relevant in improving the quality of elections and building public confidence in electoral processes.

In 2018 Africa could see as many as nine presidential elections. This includes elections in Sierra Leone, Egypt, Madagascar, Mali, Zimbabwe, South Sudan, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as well as run-off elections in Liberia. These are politically charged events that test the democratic institutions and resilience of the respective states. The African Union (AU), together with other international actors, is likely to send electoral observers to all these elections.

In 2017 there were five presidential elections; in Kenya, Liberia, Rwanda, Somalia and the self-declared independent Somaliland. Although the elections were not as turbulent as those held in 2016, the 2017 elections, particularly in Kenya and Liberia, confirmed Afrobarometer’s 2016 public survey that African citizens mistrust their electoral commissions and the quality of their elections.

The annulment of the August polls in Kenya, as well as the halting of run-off elections in Liberia by the courts, highlights these recurring misgivings about electoral processes. Yet judicial processes are sometimes also the reason for public distrust in electoral processes and outcomes. Last year courts in Gabon and Zambia were accused of partisanship after deciding in favour of incumbents when evaluating the outcomes of electoral processes.

More worrying is the fact that poor conclusions by international election observer missions further frustrate people’s desire for free, fair and transparent elections.

Focus on voting-day electoral processes

The conclusions of observation missions have often focused on voting-day processes, with minimal efforts to provide a conclusion about the entire electoral process. In Rwanda, for instance, the AU observation mission concluded that the voting process was conducted in a ‘peaceful, orderly and transparent manner’. Although the AU mission identified flaws and provided technical recommendations for the improvement of the elections, it did not provide a final assessment of the entire electoral process.

The elections saw President Paul Kagame securing a third term in office with almost 99% of the votes cast on 4 August 2017. The European Union (EU) had probably anticipated this unsurprising victory for Kagame and did not send an observer mission to the country. It had done the same in 2010, when it had cited the need to prioritise its limited resources for other regions. The move partly absolved the EU from making conclusions on voting-day proceedings, which were only a small part of an electoral process marred by the systematic political intimidation of opponents of Kagame.

One potential presidential candidate, Diane Rwigara, who was eventually disqualified from participating in the elections, is still in prison – along with her sister and mother – for allegedly inciting insurrection in the country.

Analysts say that the international community has, over the past two decades, focused on economic development in Rwanda while overlooking the need for participatory democracy and human rights in the country.

Kagame has also proven to be pan-Africanist through his efforts to spearhead the reform of the AU and his government’s recent offer to accept thousands of migrants held captive in Libya. However, the 2015 constitutional amendment could see him remain in power until 2034, thereby raising questions about the future of Rwanda if the focus is on building a ‘strongman’ rather than strong institutions and competitive democracy, which could produce competent leaders in the future.

Going forward, international observer missions may do better by clarifying the stages and aspects that they intend to observe. This will help to limit public expectations and provide a basis for the assessment of observer missions.

Admissibility of the conclusions of international observers in court

In Kenya, international observers – including the AU, EU and the United States-based Carter Center’s mission led by former secretary of state John Kerry – declared that the elections were free and transparent, but the courts annulled the vote on the grounds that the elections had been marred by irregularities and illegalities.

While observer missions are not similar to judicial processes and may not be as rigorous as court processes, their judgements on electoral processes contribute to building confidence.

Fonteh Akum, a senior researcher at the Institute for Security Studies, says that powerful political parties have perfected ways of playing international observer missions by showing them what they want them to see and using them as electoral décor to legitimise elections that are deeply flawed.

Indeed, President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee party cited the statements of observer missions during the court proceedings as proof of a free and fair election. This indicates that their conclusions are not mere statements but also judgements that are admissible in court.

New elections in Kenya were held on 26 October 2017 and the courts upheld Kenyatta’s victory.

The criticisms of electoral observer missions to Kenya mark a critical turning point in the history of election observation. Besides setting parameters for their observation, the new demand for credibility should nudge international observer missions to adapt to current dynamics and collaborate with local observers who follow the entire electoral circle and are making considerable progress in election observation and monitoring.

Akum holds that ‘international observer missions have to institutionalise long-term and analytical partnership with local civil society initiatives to enable them to provide more comprehensive and close-to-reality conclusions’.

Upcoming elections in fragile states

In the upcoming elections in South Sudan, Zimbabwe, Mali, Cameroon and the DRC particularly, international observers will have the delicate task of reaching conclusions that foster democratic practices, which is key to addressing public grievances over exclusion, injustices and power grabs.

The elections in the conflict-torn South Sudan, for instance, will test the progress of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development’s (IGAD) efforts to revitalise the stalled 2015 peace deal. The prospect of an election raises fears of a heightened crisis in a deeply divided country where many warring leaders compete for political power. It is unlikely that President Salva Kirr will pursue inclusive and transparent electoral processes that could threaten his position. If the election takes place in 2018, it will be the first post-independence general election. The election scheduled for 9 July 2015 was postponed owing to the civil war.

In Zimbabwe, enthusiasm over the end of former president Robert Mugabe’s autocratic rule will have to be sustained by efforts at the local and international level to promote free, fair and transparent electoral processes. Elections are due to take place before August 2018.

In the DRC, the international community has to put pressure on the government to adhere to the election timeline of 23 December 2018, as published by the electoral commission. Indeed, hopes for elections to be held on this date are once again diminishing after statements by the electoral commission that the election date depends on funding.

The new date is already much later than the two previous deadlines that were the result of the Catholic Church-mediated talks, which required elections to be held in 2017, and of the AU-mediated talks, which required elections to be held by April 2018. The international community has to push for the elections to be held at the end of 2018 – and be ready to build public confidence in the electoral process in the crisis-riddled country.

President Paul Biya, who has led Cameroon for 35 years, will also stand for election at a time when calls for secession in the anglophone region are gaining momentum. The election period risks being marred by protests by dissenters and repression by the government.

The impact of international observers in these countries should not only be about being spectators on voting day. Rather, the impact will depend on how much they rethink the purpose, strategy and outcomes of election observation to better contribute to the consolidation of democracy and good governance, which are key elements of sustainable peace in the long term.

Presidential elections in 2018

Country Election due dates

Sierra Leone, 7 March 2018

Egypt, Between February and May 2018

Madagascar, Between May and December 2018

Mali, Between July and December 2018

Zimbabwe, Between July and December 2018

South Sudan, Between July and December 2018

Cameroon, Between October and December 2018

DRC, 23 December 2018

Liberia, Run-off election, date to be confirmed

INTRODUCTION

DTM’s Flow Monitoring Migrant Report presents four sets of data delivering a comprehensive overview on the number, nationalities and locations where migrants are present in Libya, the recently observed flows and routes used by Libya’s migrant community and the latest reports of incidents at sea. This report is complemented by DTM’s newly released Migrant Profiles report that deliver one-page factsheets on the push and pull factors, intentions and cost of journey of selected nationalities. As described in the methodology, this report is based on DTM Libya’s revised 2018 methodology aimed at increasing the programmes ability to identify a greater number of migrants currently in Libya, increase data credibility criteria and deliver more accessible and user-friendly reports.

CHAPTER 1: MIGRANT STOCK BASELINE

In December 2017, IOM identified 621,706 migrants in Libya. Based on DTM’s Round 16 assessments across all of Libya’s 22 mantikas (regions) 621,076 migrants originating from up to 40 countries were identified in 99 baladiyas and 544 muhallas.

As displayed in the below maps, out of the total number of migrants identified, 575,569 individuals (93%) originate from 31 different African countries, 45,902 individuals (7%) from Asian and Middle Eastern countries and a final group of up to 235 individuals did not disclose a country of origin.

The top 4 nationalities identified were Egyptian, Nigerien, Chadian and Sudanese, together these nationalities account for up to 57% of Libya’s migrant population. In addition to those identified in urban and rural settings DTM estimates the current number of migrants in Libya’s Detention Centers at 5,189 individuals (1/08/17).

Out of the 575,569 individuals from Africa, 392,343 (68%) originate from Sub-Saharan countries and 183,226 individuals (32%) from North African countries. The majority of Sub-Saharan migrants (72%) were identified in Libya’s Western mantikas, 16% in the Southern mantika and the remaining 12% in Eastern mantika. Nigerien and Chadian nationals represented almost half (49%) of the Sub-Saharan nationals identified. Egyptians made up the largest number of migrants originating from North Africa followed by Sudanese, Tunisian, Moroccan and Algerian.

Out of the 45,902 individuals originating from Asia and the Middle East the highest number were recorded as Bangladeshi (31,326) and Syrian (9,560).

The materials contained in this supplementary document complement those found in the existing IRP Guidance Note on Recovery – Health. The discussions and case studies contained herein portray an expanded and oftentimes fresh perspective on many of the issues found in the original guidance note on several new and emerging issues for which there exist best practices and lessons learned. These experiences, information, technologies, and tools that have been captured since the original 2011 launch of the health-focused recovery guidance note are significant, providing the reader with an up-to-date picture of health sector recovery inclusive of the economic, social, cultural, environmental, technological, and other challenges and constraints. Because community health needs are rarely afforded ample consideration in the recovery and redevelopment visioning process, an acute need to expand awareness and inform recovery stakeholders persists.

The purpose of this supplement therefore parallels the original document in that it seeks to support recovery planners in their efforts to more effectively manage recovery planning, decision-making, and resource allocation with an informed perspective that focuses on building back better.

In Mali, the number of individuals observed at the 10 active Flow Monitoring Points in December 2017 was 6,655 (2,673 incoming and 3,982 outgoing), bringing the total since June 2016 to 73,031 (11,678 incoming and 61,353 outgoing). The daily average of observed individuals in December 2017 was 215 per day, an increase of 3% compared to the previous month. Malian, Guinean, Ivorian, Senegalese and Gambian nationals accounted for 76% of all migrants recorded. 78% of migrants observed were men (a 6% decrease since November), and 10% of migrants were minors (an increase of 4% since November). Algeria, Mauritania, Burkina Faso and Niger are the main transit points after Mali.

Key Findings

• A large majority of migrants are men (93%).

• 7% of observed migrants at flow monitoring points are minors.

• 73,031 migrants (11,678 incoming and 61,353 outgoing) were counted at Flow Monitoring Points, representing an average of 133 migrants per day.

• The majority of surveyed migrants indicated their intention to travel to Algeria and Libya, while 41% intended to travel to Europe, in particular Italy and Spain.

• Algeria, Mauritania, Burkina Faso and Niger are major transit points after Mali.

• Nationals from Guinea, Gambia, Senegal, and Côte d'Ivoire rank first among non-Malian migrants transiting through Mali to West African countries, North Africa and Europe.

• The vast majority of identified migrants arrived in Mali in transit buses. However, migrants departing from Gao mainly travel in trucks, while those identified at other flow monitoring points primarily travel by bus.

This document covers activities of the New Deal Implementation Support Facility in 2016, its third year of full operation. Since inception of the Facility in 2014, many G7+ countries have made significant progress, including new additions, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau receiving Facility funding in 2016. Last year was a period of reconstruction, recovery and coping with recurrent shocks for a number of G7+ countries. That includes Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, which were recovering from the Ebola outbreak; South Sudan and Central African Republic (Car) coping with civil war; Democratic Republic of the Congo (DrC) and Guinea-Bissau managing difficult political transitions; and Afghanistan and Somalia experiencing continued security challenges. The noteworthy progress made in New Deal implementation in these countries under such difficult circumstances is to be commended. This document features relevant information from each Country Office. More detailed reports are available upon request.

This document covers activities of the New Deal Implementation Support Facility in 2016, its third year of full operation. Since inception of the Facility in 2014, many G7+ countries have made significant progress, including new additions, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau receiving Facility funding in 2016. Last year was a period of reconstruction, recovery and coping with recurrent shocks for a number of G7+ countries. That includes Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, which were recovering from the Ebola outbreak; South Sudan and Central African Republic (Car) coping with civil war; Democratic Republic of the Congo (DrC) and Guinea-Bissau managing difficult political transitions; and Afghanistan and Somalia experiencing continued security challenges. The noteworthy progress made in New Deal implementation in these countries under such difficult circumstances is to be commended. This document features relevant information from each Country Office. More detailed reports are available upon request.

Ce document couvre les activités du mécanisme de mise en œuvre du New Deal en 2016. Depuis la création du Mécanisme en 2014, plusieurs pays du g7+ ont réalisé des progrès significatifs, et de nouveaux pays ont commencé la mise en œuvre comme la Guinée et la Guinée-Bissau qui ont reçu en 2016 le financement du Mécanisme. L'année dernière a été, pour un certain nombre de pays du g7+, une période de reconstruction, de relèvement suite à nombreux chocs récurrents. Tels que le Libéria, la Sierra Leone et la Guinée, qui se sont remis de l'épidémie d'ebola; le Soudan du Sud et la République Centrafricaine (RCA) suite à la guerre civile; la République Démocratique du Congo (RDC) et la Guinée-Bissau gérant des transitions politiques difficiles; et l'Afghanistan et la Somalie qui doivent faire face à des problèmes profonds de sécurité. Il faut souligner lesprogrès remarquables réalisés dans la mise en œuvre de New Deal dans ces pays dans des circonstances fort compliquées. Ce document présente des informations pour chaque pays qui proviennent de nos bureaux pays. Des rapports plus détaillés sont disponibles sur demande.

Editorial

Le plaisir est pour nous de vous présenter le Bulletin annuel de la délégation de Conakry. Il résume les différentes activités menées sur l’ensemble du territoire guinéen par l’institution à partir de sa délégation de Conakry, sa sous-délégation de Nzérékoré ainsi que la Sierra Leone.

Au cours de cette année plusieurs activités ont été menées essentiellement dans les domaines de l’assistance aux détenus, la promotion du Droit international Humanitaire (DIH) et le renforcement des capacités de la Croix-Rouge Guinéenne (CRG) et Sierra Léonaise (SLRCS).

Présente en Guinée depuis 1990, l’institution de manière globale travaille afin d’apporter assistance aux personnes touchées par les violences internes, l’amélioration des conditions de vie des détenus et le renforcement des capacités de ses partenaires privilégiés, la Croix-Rouge Guinéenne et la Croix-Rouge de Sierra Leone.

Patricia Escolano Guiote Cheffe de délégation

Chronic food insecurity and acute malnutrition, cyclical drought, locust infestations, seasonal floods, disease outbreaks, and recurrent complex emergencies presented major challenges to vulnerable populations in the West Africa region during the past decade. Between FY 2008 and FY 2017, USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) and USAID’s Office of Food for Peace (USAID/FFP) provided humanitarian assistance to address the impacts of a diverse range of crises, including food insecurity and malnutrition in the Sahel; complex emergencies in multiple countries; disease outbreaks, including Ebola Virus Disease (EVD); a complex emergency in the Lake Chad Basin region; cholera, meningitis, and measles outbreaks; and seasonal flooding throughout the region.

From FY 2008 to FY 2017, USAID provided nearly $3.5 billion to respond to disasters in West Africa. USAID/OFDA assistance included nearly $1.4 billion for programs in agriculture and food security; economic recovery and market systems; health; humanitarian coordination and information management; logistics support and relief commodities; nutrition; protection; and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). USAID/FFP support included more than $2.1 billion for emergency food assistance, such as U.S. in-kind food aid, local and regional food procurement, cash transfers for food, and food vouchers. USAID/FFP also funded asset-building, nutrition and agriculture activities, as well as food security early warning systems and analysis.

Over the last decade, USAID responded to 96 disasters in West Africa. From FY 2014 to FY 2016, USAID deployed regional Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs) in response to the West Africa EVD Outbreak and activated a Washington, D.C.-based Response Management Team (RMT) to support coordination and response efforts. USAID also deployed a DART to Nigeria during FY 2017 in response to the complex emergency and activated an RMT to support relief efforts across the Lake Chad Basin. In addition, USAID sent humanitarian assessment teams to Côte d’Ivoire and the Sahel in response to complex emergencies and food insecurity. In West Africa, USAID has focused on addressing immediate needs—such as food, basic relief items, health services, protection, and WASH assistance—while supporting recovery activities to build resilience against future crises, including conflict, drought, floods, below-average agricultural yields, and other shocks.

In December, Peace Winds Japan (PWJ) begun early recovery projects to support communities affected by the flood and mudslide in August 2017 near Freetown, capital of Sierra Leone. It had been over 4 months since heavy rain caused the floods and mudslide on a scale previously unseen. People living in affected communities still need to rely on support from the government or NGOs to carry on their lives.

PWJ is working in Kaningo community which is one of the most flood affected areas outlying Freetown with its local partner Community Empowerment and Development Agency (CEDA). PWJ and CEDA are going to rehabilitate community wells, and construct latrines at community school, and construct sanitation and hygiene facilities for the community health center.

Access to safe drinking water

Floods occur every rainy season near the river in Kaningo community. But this time was different from usual.

“I sensed the rain that day was distinctly different from the usual heavy rain, and we evacuated to Kaningo Community School at 3 am on August 14th. By then, the water had already surged in the kitchen and the bathroom. My family and I were able to evacuate out of the house safely. At 7 am, a powerful flood came and my house was swept away.” Aisha Kamara, who lives near a community well shared her ordeal.

The flood and mudslide damaged, destroyed, as well as contaminated the wells all over Kaningo community which caused wells untit for drinking and left residents very little access to safe water access. Shekuro Koroma, who lives near one of the polluted wells, told us, ‘’Now my wife goes to another well to fetch water because the water from this well is not fit to drink. She spends one hour getting there.’’

PWJ and CEDA are going to flush out the contaminated water and install a hand pump to the current well. A lid will be installed with a hand pump to help protect the well water from the contamination as well as the muddy water when the next flood occurs. We hope our well rehabilitation project will contribute to protect community against water born diseases and infections. We are also committed to early recovery support including improvement of hygienic environment to Kaningo community.

This project is funded by grants from Japan Platform and donation from PWJ supporters.