West Africa and the Sahel are facing a complex landscape of political, security, and humanitarian crises as the region gears up for significant elections in 2025, according to a UN special envoy address to the Security Council.
Leonardo Santos Simão emphasized the importance of upcoming presidential elections in Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau, as well as ongoing constitutional reforms in Gambia amidst a challenging political climate.
He acknowledged the recent electoral successes in Ghana and Senegal, where a “Peace Pact” was signed by all presidential candidates in Ghana, facilitating a smooth power transition between political rivals.
In Senegal, electoral observers noted the transparency and credibility of the electoral process, reinforcing trust in national institutions, Simão remarked.
Democratic Progress Amid Challenges
Despite these positive developments, many countries in the region, including Ghana and Senegal, are grappling with significant economic hardships.
“Support is essential to manage rising debt and implement projects that safeguard livelihoods; otherwise, their democratic achievements may not meet the expectations of the populace, especially among women and youth,” Simão warned.
He advocates for prioritizing preventive diplomacy and dialogue within the region while stressing the importance of building mutual understanding among all stakeholders.
Security Threats on the Rise
Heightened insecurity remains a pressing issue, as terrorist organizations are becoming more aggressive, employing advanced weaponry, including drones. Recent violence in the Central Sahel has resulted in numerous casualties among both civilians and security forces.
The threat of violent extremism and organized crime is extending to Gulf of Guinea nations like Benin and Togo, increasing the risk of regional destabilization.
The discontinuation of operations by the G5-Sahel Joint Force and the restructuring of the Accra Initiative underscore the urgent need to revitalize regional security efforts, according to Simão.
He called for enhanced support for the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), the sole operational security platform in the Lake Chad Basin, which is struggling to combat increasingly well-equipped terrorist factions.
Deepening Humanitarian Crisis
The humanitarian situation in the region remains dire.
Chad is home to two million refugees and internally displaced individuals, including those fleeing violence in Sudan, and is wrestling with both displacement and severe flooding challenges.
Escalating violence in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria has displaced millions, while humanitarian efforts struggle with underfunding.
“I urge partners to support the humanitarian appeal, which is currently funded at less than 50 percent,” Simão stated.
ECOWAS Withdrawal Developments
Simão also briefed Council members on the recent Summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), where leaders acknowledged the decision by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to withdraw from the bloc.
Formal withdrawal processes are anticipated to begin in late January 2025, although ECOWAS leaders have allowed a six-month window for dialogue to explore possibilities for reconciliation.
