Latest news with #UNOWAS
Zawya
2 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Special Representative Simão Concludes Visit to Guinea, Reaffirms United Nations Commitment to Supporting a Peaceful and Inclusive Transition
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mr. Leonardo Santos Simão, concluded yesterday a three-day visit to Conakry, Guinea. The purpose of this visit was to continue discussions with the transitional authorities to provide effective support for their efforts toward a return to constitutional order. To this end, Special Representative Simão held a series of important meetings with key transitional leaders. He notably met with the President of the National Transitional Council, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Guineans Abroad, the Minister for the Promotion of Women, Children and Vulnerable Persons, as well as the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization. He also met with representatives of the United Nations country team and members of the diplomatic corps. The discussions covered various topics related to the transition process, the regional situation, and United Nations support. The Special Representative praised the continued commitment of the transitional authorities to a return to constitutional order and urged the international community to support Guinea's efforts in this regard. He also encouraged all Guinean stakeholders to strengthen the spirit of dialogue, justice, and social cohesion. While commending the work of the UN country team, the Special Representative reaffirmed the United Nations' commitment to supporting a peaceful and inclusive transition, in collaboration and synergy with the Guinean authorities, ECOWAS, and various partners. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS).
Zawya
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
In Banjul, Special Representative Simão reaffirms United Nations's support to The Gambia to consolidate peace and democracy
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Santos Simão, concluded yesterday, a three-day visit to The Gambia. The mission was part of the Special Representative's continued engagements in the region and aimed to reaffirm UNOWAS support to The Gambia's efforts to consolidate peace and democracy. During his visit, the Special Representative was received by H.E. President Adama Barrow. Mr. Simão commended the ongoing constitutional reform process, as an important step consolidating The Gambia's democratic transition and national reconciliation, emphasizing the importance of national ownership and inclusivity to ensure its legitimacy and broad acceptance by the people of The Gambia. Mr. Simão also met with Mamadou Tangara, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad as well as with Hussein Thomasi, Solicitor General at the Ministry of Justice. Additionally, he held discussions with Fabakary Tombong Jatta, Speaker of the National Assembly; Emmanuel D. Joof, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC); political parties and the Inter-Party Committee as well as its women and youth branches. He also met with civil society members, Ambassadors of West African countries and the ECOWAS representative based in Banjul, as well as development partners and the UN Country Team. The Special Representative reiterated the United Nations' commitment to continue working with the Gambian people and government to consolidate democracy in the country and the region. He called on all stakeholders to ensure constructive dialogue in the constitutional and other democratic reform processes, essential for the stability and development of the Gambia. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS).
Zawya
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Special Representative, Leonardo Santos Simão, concludes a two-day working visit to Ghana, reaffirmed United Nations's support
As part of his continued engagement, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel(UNOWAS), Leonardo Santos Simão, yesterday concluded a two-day working visit to Accra, Ghana. During his visit, the Special Representative was received in audience by the President of Ghana, H.E. John Dramani Mahama. The Special Representative praised Ghana for promoting home grown effective peace building mechanisms and its commitment to preserve the gains of regional integration. He also met with the Minister of Interior, the National Security Advisor, National Security Coordinator, Special Envoy for the Sahel, acting Executive Secretary of the Accra Initiative, Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council, the West African Ambassadors, and the United Nations Country Team. With his interlocutors, M. Simão discussed various issues pertaining to peace and security and exchanged on ways to strengthen regional mechanisms to address the challenges facing the countries of the sub-region, in particular terrorism. He also stressed the importance of continued cooperation and reaffirmed the United Nations's commitment to strengthen its partnership with Ghana. The Special Representative commended Ghana's leadership role in regional affairs, and reiterated UNOWAS engagement to continue working closely with the authorities and people of Ghana to promote peace, security, and development. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS).
Zawya
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and United Nations Political and Peacebuilding Departments Consult Ahead of the Security Council Briefing
Western Africa Division (DPPA-DPO WAD), co -convene consultative session between Permanent Representatives of West African Countries at the UN and Mr. Leonardo Santos Simão, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), in New York on the 2nd of April 2025. The session preceded the SRSG's briefing, on the 3rd of April 2025, to the Security Council where he presented the UN Secretary General's report on Peace consolidation in West Africa and the activities of UNOWAS. The report to the UN Security Council highlighted the evolving challenges to regional security, integration and the unity of West Africa and underscored the critical need for the region's leaders and stakeholders to continue efforts towards preserving and building on the gains of decades of cooperation, including within the framework of ECOWAS. The report further identified regional security cooperation as a priority and recommended continued support for the Multinational Joint Task Force operating in the Lake Chad basin, the Accra Initiative and the ECOWAS Standby Force as critical components to combat terrorism and organized crime in the region. In her intervention at the consultative session, Ambassador Kinza Jawara-Njai, ECOWAS Permanent Observer to the United Nations, provided an overview of ECOWAS' initiatives and ongoing collaboration with UNOWAS while emphasizing the Commission's unrelentless efforts towards strengthening integration for sustainable development, peace and stability in the region. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Zawya
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
West and Central Africa: United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and United Nations Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) pool their efforts to strengthen peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders and ensure the sustainable management of transhumance
The United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and for Central Africa (UNOCA) organized a workshop on strengthening peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders and the proper management of transhumance from 26 to 27 February 2025 in Dakar. More than thirty participants from several countries in these two sub-regions, including members of civil society organizations, as well as representatives of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the Climate Commission for the Sahel region, NORCAP, United Nations and technical and financial partners, took part in the workshop. At the opening ceremony, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and Head of UNOWAS, Leonardo Santos Simão, recalled the importance of the workshop, stressing that it "presents a unique opportunity for us to reflect on and tackle one of the most critical challenges of our time: fostering peaceful coexistence, sustainable livelihoods, and shared prosperity between farmers and herders." He added that "Transboundary transhumance poses significant governance challenges, particularly when land tenure systems and regulatory frameworks are not well-structured. If not properly managed, these tensions can escalate into broader security threats, affecting social cohesion and regional stability." The discussions highlighted the complexity and interdependence of the interactions between herders and farmers, while highlighting the multiple factors that influence these dynamics in West and Central Africa. Participants also addressed key issues such as competition for access to natural resources (land, water, pasture), seasonal livestock migrations, and rural land management policies, which shape not only these interactions, but also regional governance. The exchanges led to the development of a work plan of the Community of Practice on Farmer-Pastoralist Dynamics in West and Central Africa was adopted. This plan precisely defines the objectives of the "Community" as well as the main thematic axes to be explored. It also includes priority actions, specific activities, an implementation timeline, the partners involved, as well as monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. In addition, the participants made recommendations to promote peaceful cohabitation between farmers and herders, and to prevent conflicts related to access to resources and the mobility of livestock. They advocated, among other things, for a harmonization of ECOWAS and ECCAS approaches, with a focus on strategic priorities such as the development of resilient agriculture, economic diversification, geopolitical dynamics and sustainable financing. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS).
