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UN Security Council concerned about terrorism, violence in Sahel

17 July 2013 01:53 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. The UN Security Council on Tuesday reaffirmed its concern about terrorist activities and violence against civilians in the Sahel region and called on relevant nations to ensure stability and development in the western African region, APA reports quoting local media.

"The Security Council continues to be gravely concerned about the activities in the Sahel region of terrorist organizations, including A1-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb and the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa and reiterates its strong condemnation of the recent terrorist attacks," said the 15-member body in a presidential statement.

The council also expressed concern over armed conflict, proliferation of arms, drug trafficking and other organized crimes in the region and their links with terrorism.

The council called on Sahel, West African and Maghreb nations to develop effective strategies to combat terrorism and organized crimes and to prevent arms proliferations. Meanwhile, it stressed the importance of information sharing and cooperation between the UN, the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum, African Union and other organizations.

In the statement, the council said it recognizes that strengthening national institutions, economic and social development, respect for human rights and rule of law are necessary to ensure stability and development in the Sahel region.

The council welcomed the development of a UN integrated strategy for the region, as well as the proposal of Romano Prodi, the Secretary-General's Special Envoy to partner with regional and international financial institutions to promote new approaches.

In the statement, the council also welcomed the deployment of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali ( MINUSMA) earlier this month, from the African-led International Support Mission in Mali.

The Sahel region, consisting of Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Gambia, and Nigeria, faces severe problems including food shortage, political instability and natural disasters.