Niamey, 12 November 2021 - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mahamat Saleh ANNADIF, and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Niger, Ouhoumoudou MAHAMADOU, today launched the Initiative to strengthen social cohesion and consolidate national dialogue in Niger.

The launching ceremony which took place at the Prime Minister's office also saw the participation of the Minister of the Interior and Decentralization of Niger, Alkache Alhada; the President of the High Authority for the Consolidation of Peace (HACP), the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Niger, the Representative of the World Bank, Representatives of Non-Governmental Organizations, Religious, Traditional and Customary Authorities and Representatives of Civil Society Organizations.

"This is an opportunity to mobilize all energies in order to contribute to the strengthening of social cohesion in Niger and in other countries of the region," said M. ANNADIF in his remarks. He went on to stress that “social cohesion is not just a theoretical concept, it is an effort that is renewed every day, especially in a context made fragile by the insecurity created by groups and other criminal networks. M. ANNADIF "commended the authorities of Niger who are at the forefront of showing leadership in this crucial effort for the present and the future," he added.

For his part, Mr. MAHAMADOU affirmed that “the government of Niger attaches particular importance to this United Nations project which meets initiatives already underway at the level of the High Authority for the Consolidation of Peace. " I welcome this initiative which is taking shape today and which constitutes a response to the concerns of the President of the Republic of Niger who instructed the holding of an inter-community dialogue which will be launched in Niamey on November 23 and will particularly concern the area of the three borders, ” he pointed-out.

This project is part of the United Nations conflict prevention and peacebuilding strategy. It contributes to support and accompany the countries of the sub-region in their efforts to strengthen social cohesion. The launch of this project also took place in Guinea on November 10, 2021. It will also be initiated in Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso.