Statement by H.E. Ambassador Ondina Blokar Drobič, Deputy Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the UN at the UN Security Council Briefing on Peace Consolidation in Africa (UNOWAS and Sahel)

Thank you, Mr. President.

I would like to thank Special Representative Simão, Executive Director Bahous and Ms. Addae-Mensah for their briefings.

Before I deliver my remarks, allow me to join others in expressing our sincere condolences to the government and people of Ghana for the loss of lives in a helicopter crash.

Allow me to begin by extending warm congratulations to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) upon its 50^th anniversary of cooperation, integration and peace-building in the region.

Mr. President,

The region is in flux, facing serious political, security, and humanitarian challenges. Slovenia warmly welcomes signals of renewed commitment to preserving the hard-won gains of subregional integration, as economic cooperation and people-to-people ties have brought concrete benefits to all states.

We encourage further steps to safeguard good neighborly relations, prevent disruptions to the free movement of people, goods, and services, and to sustain coordination on key priorities, particularly in the areas of security and humanitarian response.

We warmly welcome good offices, as well as Mr Simão’s regular reporting to the Council on the relations between the ECOWAS and the Alliance of the Sahel States.

We must express our utmost concern over the deeply troubling reports of prolonged political transitions in the three Central Sahel countries. The dissolution of political parties in Mali and the suspension of political activities in Burkina Faso and Niger represent a serious setback to regional stability, peace, and prosperity.

The growing restrictions on civic space, often justified in the name of security and stabilization, risk sending a message that the voices and aspirations of the people have no bearing on their political future. We strongly encourage concrete and timely steps toward clear, credible, and inclusive democratic transition timelines.

In this context, it is equally important to ensure that all security operations – including those involving voluntary defence forces – are carried out in strict compliance with international humanitarian and human rights law. This includes appropriate training and oversight, to prevent abuses and to safeguard the rights and dignity of civilians.

The path forward should create strong foundations for resilience and recovery by integrating the peace, humanitarian and development nexus.

Mr. President,

As so powerfully illustrated by Executive Director Bahous, women and girls play an indispensable role in building a peaceful, stable, inclusive, and prosperous region.

As too often happens, they are among the most affected by insecurity, subjected to abductions, forced displacement, and food insecurity and targeted attacks by armed groups. Their role in locally owned responses cannot be overstated and should therefore be supported.

As is the case in the areas under the control of non-state armed groups, severe restrictions are imposed on women and girls. While these controls aim to silence them, their presence and engagement in the communities can serve as a powerful antidote to the recruitment strategies of terrorist groups.

And as sexual and gender-based violence is not incidental but systematic, used as a weapon of terror and subjugation, the powerful stories of the survivors – from Fulani, Tuareg, Moor and other women – can serve not only to raise awareness, but to heal the communities. Their testimonies highlight the urgent importance of ensuring that all survivors have safe and unimpeded access to adequate physical and psycho-social healthcare and protection services.

We encourage further promotion of their full, equal, safe and meaningful participation in the social, economic and political life of their countries and their communities.

At a time when the threat of terrorism and violent extremism continues to deepen and spill over into the Gulf of Guinea, Mauritania, and Senegal, the resilience and leadership of women and girls are more essential than ever.

Thank you.

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