NEW YORK – Reaffirming its concern at the alarming situation in Africa’s Sahel region, the Security Council today strongly condemned human rights abuses and violence committed against civilians there by terrorist and other extremist groups, vowing to address the complex security and political challenges that were linked to humanitarian and developmental issues as well as to climatic and ecological changes.
In a statement read out by Rosemary DiCarlo (United States), its President for July, the Council reiterated its strong condemnation of recent terrorist attacks in the region, saying it remained gravely concerned about the activities of Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb and the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa. It also expressed its continued concern over the serious threats to peace and security posed by armed conflict, weapons proliferation and transnational organized crime, including drug trafficking and its increasing links with terrorism.
In that context, the Council welcomed the deployment of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) following the transfer of authority from the African-led International Support Mission in Mali on 1 July. It also welcomed the development of the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel, as requested by its resolution 2056 (2012), and its three defining strategic goals.
Recognizing the necessity of strengthening State institutions, inclusive economic and social development, respect for human rights and the rule of law to ensure the region’s long-term security, development and stability, the Council called on Sahel, West African and Maghreb States to enhance interregional cooperation and coordination in order to develop effective anti-terrorism strategies, while preventing the proliferation of arms and curbing transnational organized crime.
Further by its wide-ranging text, the Council underscored the value of a coherent, comprehensive and coordinated approach encompassing governance, security, humanitarian, human rights and developmental aspects to resolve the peace and security threats, and to address the root causes.
In the humanitarian sphere, the Council commended efforts by Sahel States and relevant regional organizations in meeting challenges and strengthening resilience, and those of the Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Sahel and related actors in calling attention to the scale of the challenges and providing assistance to help the affected populations offset them.
Finally, the Council welcomed the Secretary-General’s intention to hold, on the margins of the sixty-eighth General Assembly session, a high-level meeting on the Sahel, as well as his intention to visit the region later this year, with the President of the World Bank Group.
For their consideration, Council members had before them the Secretary-General’s latest report on the Sahel (document S/2013/354), to which was attached the text of the Integrated Strategy.
