Statement by H.E. Ambassador MIKANAGI Tomohiro, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the United Nations Security Council Briefing, Agenda item “Peace Consolidation in West Africa”

 
Thank you, Madam President.
 
I thank SRSG Simão and Ms. Addae-Mensah for their informative briefings.
 
West Africa and the Sahel continues to face multidimensional and interconnected challenges. In this regard, we welcome the additional report and today’s briefing as it is essential that the Security Council remain engaged in the region. The developments there not only impacts the continent but also the wider international community. We also commend the work of UNOWAS in supporting the region to address these crises through its good offices and its work to enhance regional cooperation such as with ECOWAS and the AU.
 
Today I want to highlight two points.
 
First, democracy and good governance are the foundation for peace, stability, and development. In this regard, Japan welcomes the peaceful holdings of the legislative and presidential elections in various countries in the region, such as Senegal and Ghana.
 
We remain, however, deeply concerned by the unclear political timelines in the countries in transition in the region, and call for a swift return to constitutional order based on the rule of law.
 
We are also disturbed by the reports of severe restrictions on political and civic space and human rights violations in some countries in the region. We stress that respect for human rights and securing inclusivity, including the participation and representation of women and youth, are fundamental to building a stable and resilient society.
 
Second, the regional security situation remains alarming, compounding the already severe humanitarian situation and socio-economic difficulties. This is further exacerbated by the adverse effects of climate change affecting the region’s peace and security.
 
In tackling these cross-border and cross-cutting threats, regional and sub-regional cooperation is ever more important. Regional security efforts, such as the Accra Initiative, Multinational Joint Task Force, and the ECOWAS Standby Force should be further strengthened, especially as we see the spillover effect of terrorism and insecurity to littoral states of the Gulf of Guinea.
 
Furthermore, we emphasise the importance of preserving and fortifying regional integration so that terrorists do not take advantage of regional divisions. In this regard, we take note of ECOWAS’s decision to set a six-month transition period and to keep its doors open to Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. We encourage continued dialogue.
 
Madam President,
 
As we leave the Council at the end of this month, Japan reiterates its commitment to continue to support the regional efforts to address the root causes of instability and ensure human security, including through capacity building and institution-building, in collaboration with the international community.
 
I thank you, Madam President.