Mr. President,
First, I would like to thank the Deputy Special Representative, Ms. Barrie Lynne Freeman, for her briefing, and I would like to welcome the presence with us of the representatives of Benin and Côte d’Ivoire. I would now like to make three points.
1/ Firstly, in recent weeks, the region has experienced major upheavals or attempts at upheaval, which are undermining its stability. The coup d’état in Guinea-Bissau on November 26 and the failed coup attempt in Benin on December 7 add to a worrying general trend of destabilization of governance in the region and destabilization of democratic practices.
France condemns any attempt to seize power by force and supports the mediation efforts carried out by the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Guinea-Bissau. African solutions to African problems does not mean that this Council is indifferent to Africa. It means that this Council must support the efforts of regional organizations to support member countries in this region. In this regard, my country welcomes ECOWAS’s rapid and decisive intervention in Benin to ensure respect for constitutional order and to protect institutions.
In the face of this dynamic of destabilization, the Council responsible for international peace and security has a responsibility, in the name of that peace and stability, to condemn outright attempts at coups d’état, to stand on the side of constitutional stability and good governance, and to discourage opportunistic temptations that are synonymous with destabilization and adventurism. France regrets that a member state decided to block an expression by the Security Council in recent weeks, thereby going against the clear requests of the region.
Mr. President,
And this will be my second point: this stability is essential for the region to be able to focus on the security challenges it faces. As the Secretary-General’s report points out, the Sahel and the Lake Chad basin continue to face unsustainable terrorist violence, which France is fighting with determination. This violence has devastating human and humanitarian consequences.
Last month’s meeting of the Council, convened at the initiative of the Sierra Leonean presidency, stressed that, beyond the necessary action against terrorist groups, priority must be given to restoring regional dialogue and trust with the international community. France welcomes ECOWAS’s efforts in this regard. It is necessary to return to the path of cooperation in order to respond collectively to the challenges affecting the region.
Finally, and this will be my last point, this meeting provide an opportunity to discuss the upcoming renewal of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS). The mission plays an important role in informing the Council on political developments in West Africa and the Sahel, in supporting regional partnerships, and promoting good governance and respect for the rule of law, which are essential elements to maintaining international peace and security. Given the challenges facing the region, France considers that the frequency of three annual reports, as has been the case since 2024, has demonstrated its relevance and should be kept.
We also believe that the renewal of the mandate is an opportunity to strengthen UNOWAS’s resources in the fight against disinformation and propaganda, which is essential for an informed and peaceful democratic life.
Mr. President,
In conclusion, this region is facing enormous structural challenges: climate change, which must be addressed, and the invention of a development model to cope with rapid population growth. This region needs peace and stability to achieve this; the Council must help in that regard.
Thank you.