New York – 18 May 2022 | The Security Council convened to discuss the activities of the Joint Force of the Group of Five for the Sahel (G5 Sahel). Briefing the Council was Ms. Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, Assistant Secretary-General for Africa in the Departments of Political, Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, Mr. Eric Tiaré, Executive Secretary of the G5 Sahel, and Ms. Solange Bandiaky-Badji, Coordinator and President of the Rights and Resources Initiative.

Ms. Pobee noted that the operationalization of the Joint Force was already suffering due to the uncertain political transitions in Mali and Burkina Faso. She stressed the importance of upholding human rights, particularly with the increasing terrorism in Sahel. Mr. Tiaré recalled that the G5 is based on the shared understanding that no country can combat terrorism alone. He described the withdrawal of Mali as unfortunate, underscoring the need to pull resources together and pointed to the impact of COVID-19, as well as sanctions.

Ms.Bandiaky-Badji, highlighted the necessity to consider the impact of climate change when analysing conflict dynamics in the Sahel. She stressed that all political stabilization efforts must consider intersecting issues related to environmental degradation, demographic factors, changes in livelihoods and weak governance.

During the discussion, several Council members expressed serious concern over Mali’s departure from the G5 Sahel Joint Force and highlighted the volatile security and humanitarian situation in the region.

Deputy Permanent Representative of Albania to UN, Ms. Albana Dautllari, voiced regret over the withdrawal of Mali from the G5 Sahel and called for dialogue a mong member states. She raised concerns at the humanitarian and security crises in the Sahel region, including the undemocratic transitions throughout West Africa, as well as a vast disinformation campaign in Mali. Ms Dautllari expressed concern about reports of human rights violations, including by Wagner Group forces present in Mali, and called for accountability. She welcomed the joint assessment in the Sahel by UN, the AU, ECOWAS and called on members of G5, to show political will and commitment to addressing the multifaceted challenges facing the Sahel.