September 2022 – 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)

10 October 2022

June 2022 – The High Representative of the Coalition for the Sahel, Dr. Djimé Adoum, participated in the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). On this occasion, he exchanged with various authorities and took part in high-level events on the Sahel. 

 

High Representative Adoum participated in the high-level event on the Sahel chaired by the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Guterres, on the occasion of the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), in the presence of the President of the African Union Commission, Mr. Faki, the President of ECOWAS, Mr. Touray, as well as the Executive Secretary of the G5 Sahel, Mr. Tiaré.

 

The former President of the Republic of Niger, Mr. Mahamadou Issoufou, spoke of the mission entrusted to him by the UNSG and the African Union, in partnership with ECOWAS and the G5, to lead the High Level Panel on Security and Development in the Sahel. This work aims to deliver a “joint strategic assessment” intended to strengthen international coordination and better respond to the multidimensional crisis facing the Sahel.

 

Dr. Adoum expressed his full support to President Issoufou and for the work of this panel placed under the aegis of four institutions that are core members of the Coalition for the Sahel.

With former President Issoufou

 

 

The High Representative also attended the ministerial meeting on “international mobilization for development and security in the Sahel and in the countries of the Gulf of Guinea” co-chaired by the acting presidencies of ECOWAS and the United Nations Security Council, in the person of the Foreign Ministers of Guinea-Bissau, Ms. Carla Barbosa, and of France, Ms. Colonna. This event brought together the African States of the region and their key partners.

 

In his speech, Dr. Adoum argued that African national strategies, covering security, development and governance, should be clarified in order to better tackle the challenges and consolidate the commitment of partners. He also stressed that bilateral partnerships can be key elements of a collective regional response if they are part of a coordinated policy. He informed the partners of the update of the Coalition’s roadmap, produced following their request on March 9, which reflects the new context. Finally, he expressed his support for the joint strategic assessment on the Sahel entrusted by the UN and the AU to the former President of Niger, Mr. Issoufou.

Ministerial meeting on “international mobilization for development and security in the Sahel and in the countries of the Gulf of Guinea”.

 

 

The presence of the High Representative in New York was also an opportunity to be received by the Mauritanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr.  Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug, in order to exchange views on the Sahel. The High Representative praised Mauritania’s commitment to regional challenges and its voluntarism in the Coalition for the Sahel, of which it is a principal partner.

With Mauritania MFA Merzoug

 

 

The High Representative was received by the United Nations Under-Secretary General for Africa, Ms Martha Pobee. The discussion focused on the regional situation, the prospects for MINUSMA as well as the importance of a renewed African perspective to improve collective responses to current challenges, which was precisely the purpose of the mission entrusted to the former President Issoufou.

With USG, Ms. Pobee

 

 

Dr. Adoum met with the Under-Secretary for Human Rights, Ms. Ilze Brand Kheris. The discussion focused on the ongoing deterioration of the humanitarian and security situations. They explored avenues for joint initiatives in support of human rights in the Sahel and in West Africa.

With USG, Ms. Kheris

 

 

In the wake of the United Nations General Assembly, a visit to Washington D.C. enabled the High Representative to discuss with the US State Department. Emphasis was placed on strengthening the response to humanitarian and security challenges as well as the need to increase international coordination, in connection with the reflection initiated by the panel chaired by Mr. Issoufou.