Malian military joins the G5 Sahel Joint Force. (Photo: AFP)The diplomat also called on parties to implement the International HumanitarianLaw to ensure legitimate benefits of local people, as well as facilitatehumanitarian activities in the areas.
Minister Counsellor Nguyen Phuong Tra, Deputy Permanent Representative ofVietnam to the United Nations, said Vietnam took note of the complexity of thepolitical situation in West Africa and the Sahel during the past few months,when elections in some countries were marred with tensions and challenges.
She called on all stakeholders in these countries to work toward consensus onareas of disagreement so that the incoming elections of 2021 could take placein an inclusive, transparent, credible and peaceful manner.
The Vietnamese diplomat commended the Economic Communityof West African States (ECOWAS), the United Nations Office for West Africa andthe Sahel (UNOWAS), the UN Teams, regional organisations and the G5 Sahel JointForce for their efforts in proactively engaging and working with relatedparties to maintain peace, security and stability in the region.
Vietnam also welcomes the ongoing efforts to promote the participation andrepresentations of women in the political and peace processes in severalcountries, she said, adding the country look forward to seeing women and youthplaying greater roles in the prevention and resolution of conflicts,peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction in the region in 2021.
According to Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of theUNOWAS Mohamed Ibn Chambas, West Africa and the Sahel witnessed the severalelections in regional countries which attracted the attention of theinternational community.
It also saw complicated developments of the security situation due to anincrease in terrorist activities coupled with escalating tensions betweencommunities, particularly in the Central Sahel.
The COVID-19 pandemic sent the regional economy into a critical recession, reversingachievements in economy, poverty reduction and implementation of sustainabledevelopment goals.
Some 5 million people had to leave their accommodation in 2020, up 1.4 millionas compared to the previous year, he said, stressing food security,transnational crimes and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea are main challenges ofthe region.
Other UNSC members spoke highly of the roles of the Special Representative, andUNOWAS, while calling the African Union and ECOWAS to continue coordinationwith the UNOWAS to maintain peace, security and development in the region./.
VNA
