Mohamed Ibn Chambas: “Burkina Faso is one of the countries where, we, as a collective of development, humanitarian and peace actors, can, together with the Government, focus on preventing the current crisis from further escalation.”

On the margin of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mohamed Ibn Chambas, participated on Thursday 26 September in the High-Level Meeting of the Peacebuilding Commission on “Prevention and Peacebuilding in Burkina Faso”

The High-Level meeting which was organized by President Iván Duque Márquez of Colombia in his capacity as Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, aimed at exploring effective solutions to prevent the escalation of violence and reestablish the conditions needed for sustainable peace and development.

In his opening remarks, Mohamed Ibn Chambas commended the courage and resilience of the population, of the security forces, and of government institutions who are bearing the brunt of the attacks. “We pay tribute today to those, civilians and military, who have fallen to this senseless violence,” he said.

“Burkina Faso is one of the countries where, we, as a collective of development, humanitarian and peace actors, can, together with the Government, focus on preventing the current crisis from further escalation.” Ibn Chambas added.

In this regard, the Special Representative welcomed the government response to the threats, through comprehensive initiatives such as the Programme d’Urgence pour le Sahel. “We are also encouraged by the Government’s support for the establishment of “infrastructure for peace” to help address intercommunal tensions and resolve conflicts from the local, grassroot level upwards.” he declared.

In his conclusion, Mohamed Ibn Chambas reiterated the UN readiness and commitment to accompany the people of Burkina Faso on the path of peacebuilding, together with the development partners and countries present at the High-Level meeting.

His Excellency Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, President of Burkina Faso, delegates of countries and representatives of regional and international organizations took part of this meeting.