Dakar, 18 September 2023 - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Santos Simão, concluded a two-day visit to Benin on Friday 15 September 2023. The visit is part of his regional familiarization tour initiated following his appointment as Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel.

In Cotonou, the Special Representative held talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olushegun ADJADI BAKARI, with whom he exchanged views on a number of subjects relating to the national and regional situation, including the political crisis in Niger, the deteriorating security situation in Mali, and UN support for the diplomatic efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to restore constitutional order and consolidate peace in the region. The Special Representative congratulated Benin for its commitment to democratic principles and for its close partnership with the United Nations system.

The Special Representative also held meetings with the UN country team and members of the diplomatic corps.