Mission of the High Representative to Dakar

On September 20, H.E. Mr. Hamadi Meimou, High Representative of the Coalition for the Sahel, was welcomed by Dr. Leonardo Santos Simão, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, at the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) in Dakar, Senegal.

During their meeting, the need for fostering constructive regional dialogue, in line with the ideal of African integration, was emphasized. Given the challenging Sahelian context—characterized by a worsening humanitarian crisis, increasing violence against civilians, and the continuous rise in refugees and internally displaced persons—the importance of sustaining and reinforcing international support was highlighted.

The United Nations remains a key partner of the Coalition for the Sahel, particularly through the efforts of SRSG Simão, who co-chaired the senior official-level meetings of the Contact Groups on December 14, 2023, and May 16, 2024.