Mission of the High Representative to West Africa

In November 2023, Mr. Hamadi Meimou, High Representative of the Coalition for the Sahel, undertook a field mission to deepen exchanges with key actors at the multilateral and regional levels, in continuation of his consultations at the headquarters of the United Nations in October. This sequence continued with a stopover in Burkina Faso.

The HR first went to Dakar (Senegal) from November 7 to 9 to meet the Special Representative of the Secretary General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Dr. Leonardo Santos Simão. They exchanged perspectives on the political and security as well as humanitarian challenges, and noted of convergence of views on the importance of reenergizing an inclusive regional dialogue.

The HR had previously also discussed development challenges with Mr. Aboulaye Mar Dieye, Special Coordinator for development in the Sahel.

From November 19 to 22, in Abuja (Nigeria), the HR was received by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray. Mr. Meimou thanked the regional organization for its unfailing commitment within the Coalition and its essential mediation work in the context of the current crises. The HR also spoke with the diplomatic community.

Subsequently, the HR went to Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) from November 29 to December 3 in order to discuss with the Burkinabè authorities and the diplomatic community on the regional situation as well as to promote a constructive dialogue between Burkina Faso and its partners in West Africa and beyond.