Ibn Chambas reaffirms the United Nations support to Mali and the G5 Sahel countries

SRSG Ibn Chambas with Mr. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, President of Mali, 31 May 2016 in Bamako

SRSG Ibn Chambas with Mr. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, President of Mali, 31 May 2016 in Bamako

1 Jun 2016

Ibn Chambas reaffirms the United Nations support to Mali and the G5 Sahel countries

The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mohamed Ibn Chambas, concluded yesterday his visit to Bamako, Mali.

Mr. Ibn Chambas met with President of the Republic of Mali, Mr. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita; the Foreign Minister, Abdoulaye Diope; the Minister of Defense, Mr. Tieman Hubert Coulibaly, and the Minister of Finance, Mr. Boubou Cissé.

This visit, the fourth leg of his tour in the G5 Sahel countries, was an opportunity for Mr. Ibn Chambas to exchange views with the Malian authorities on issues affecting the security and development of Mali and G5 Sahel countries. They also discussed the cooperation between Mali and the United Nations, including on ways to strengthen coordination between the various partners in the implementation of the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel (UNISS).

In this regard, Ibn Chambas recalled the commitment of the United Nations to support Mali and the G5 Sahel countries through strengthened and effective partnership. The establishment of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) following the merger of the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA) and the United Nations Office of the Special Envoy for Sahel (OSES) will enable a pooling together of resources to provide a more effective support to countries of the G5 Sahel.

"Given the multiplicity and complexity of the challenges, we must act together with determination, consistency and coordination to improve the living conditions of thousands of people in Mali and the G5 Sahel countries," Mr. Ibn Chambas said.

On his part, the President of the Republic of Mali, Mr. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, expressed his gratitude for the support of the United Nations. He also commended the establishment of UNOWAS and called partners to continue to support Mali and G5 Sahel countries in their relentless quest to restore peace and security.

Mohamed Ibn Chambas is currently in Nouakchott, Mauritania, for the last leg of his working visit to the G5 Sahel countries.