In a letter to the UN Secretary-General dated 28 January 2016, the Security Council requested the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA) and the Office of the Special Envoy for the Sahel (OSES), to merge into a single entity: the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel, UNOWAS. The principal objective of the merger is to enhance synergy towards improved engagement with the countries and regional institutions in West Africa and the Sahel.

As of 12 February 2016, Mr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas assumed the functions of Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel (SRSG), while Mrs. Hiroute Guebre Sellassie became Deputy Special Representative (DSRSG).