Mr President,
I join others in congratulating Brazil for assuming the presidency and I would like to assure you of my delegation’s full support. Also thank you to the Brazilian Presidency and all other members of the council for the kind words addressed to our delegation.
We also welcome the briefings from Special Representative Annadif, Ambassador Fatima and Ms Magagi.
At the outset, Albania strongly condemns the attacks against a MINUSMA convoy, killing two peacekeepers and injuring many others. We express our condolences to the families and the Government of Egypt.
Mr President,
I would like to first recognize the role played by SRSG Annadif and the activities of UNOWAS in supporting the Sahel countries.
Albania is concerned about the alarming humanitarian situation in the Sahel. The region’s already dire food insecurity, caused in part by climate shocks, has been further exacerbated by the impact of the war in Ukraine. We urge international partners to strengthen their response and support the 2022 Humanitarian Response Plan which is less than 20 per cent funded. We have to do more!
Mr President,
Albania remains concerned about the security situation. We condemn the recent terrorist attacks perpetrated in several Sahel states.
We encourage authorities to intensify their collaboration under the Accra Initiative and strengthen cross-border cooperation to prevent terrorist attacks. In this regard, we stress that the G5 Sahel remains vital for regional stabilization, and we encourage members to increase their efforts. In this context we think the implementation of the resolution on the Gulf of Guinea is good start and will help to strengthen further the maritime security.
Albania welcomes the positive developments achieved since we last met in January, including the peaceful elections in Gambia and Senegal. However, we continue to see an under-representation of women in decision-making positions. Governments must increase their efforts to address structural barriers to promote women’s full, effective, and meaningful participation in political processes.
The political stability in West Africa is under threat. In this context, focus must be placed on strengthening democratic governance, rule of law and the justice system. The rise in human rights violations in recent months is deeply worrisome. We call on the Sahel states to investigate all allegations of abuses and violations of human rights and international humanitarian law perpetrated by non-state actors and defence or security forces. Independent and effective judiciary systems must ensure that impunity is finally addressed.
We would welcome also better cooperation in the Sahel among UN country teams and UN country teams and UNOWAS to address the challenges that contribute to insecurity.
In concluding we welcome ECOWAS’ decision to lift the economic and financial sanctions on Mali and commend their efforts to agreeing on acceptable timelines to return to constitutional order in Mali and Burkina Faso. In the same vein, we call on the authorities of Guinea to cooperate with ECOWAS and present an acceptable transition timeline. Appropriate frameworks must be established by the transitional governments to encourage dialogue and engage in consultations with political and civil society stakeholders to ensure peaceful transitions to constitutional order.
Thank you.
