UN calls for subregional approach to end conflicts

A March mission to West Africa by UN agencies has advised the international community to adopt an integrated approach to restore peace, prevent further conflicts, as well as promote economic and social development in the subregion, according to a UN report.

The mission reported views shared widely in the region that the political and security situations in Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leone and the Casamance region of Senegal were expected to deteriorate, according to the UN Department of Public Information (UNDPI). The report said regional rather than national approaches were needed to ease tensions, otherwise they would have serious implications for all of West Africa.

Already, the UN and the 16-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are engaged in trying to end the conflicts along the borders of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone by reconciling their leaders.

“Concern was expressed at the alleged involvement of state and non-state actors in providing support for the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) in Sierra Leone.

“Several interlocutors were of the view that such support was being provided by governments, both within and outside the subregion, and actors such as dealers in conflict diamonds, mercenaries and international arms dealers,” the report states.

The UNDPI said that the 32-page report released on Monday in New York was submitted by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council.

The mission, of 6-27 March, was conducted by representatives from the UN Secretariat and several UN agencies and offices specializing in the issues of development, refugees, children, human rights and food security, according to UNDPI. It reported that ECOWAS staff also took part.

The 11 countries visited are Cote d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.