Pakistan for urgent, coordinated approach to tackling Mali, Sahel region challenges

UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has called for integrated international efforts to address the development and security challenges in Mali and the wider Sahel region.

Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Masood Khan, said in a debate in the Security Council that Pakistan enjoys close relations with all countries of the Sahel and therefore has an abiding interest in their continued wellbeing.

UN Special Envoy, Romano Prodi as well as Antonio Gutterres, High Commissioner for Refugees briefed the Council about efforts to address challenges.

Despite the progress made by countries in the Sahel, they continue to face serious security, humanitarian, and socio-economic challenges. If these challenges are not addressed quickly and effectively, the gains made so far could be reversed and there would be negative repercussions for the long-term stability, Ambassador Khan pointed out.

The region faces chronic problems of food insecurity, underdevelopment, and climate change. The rise of organized crime in recent times has aggravated the situation.

The conflict in Libya has also added to the region's difficulties. Consequences of this conflict are still unfolding with Mali being its first victim. Refugees from Mali have placed an additional burden on neighbouring countries that were already reeling from the impact of the prevailing drought. Terrorists and criminals, who have filled the security vacuum in northern Mali, pose a serious risk to the security of the entire region.

The Special Representative reiterated Islamabad's grave concern over the rise of organized crime, including drug and weapons trafficking, and terrorism in West Africa and the Sahel. Drug trafficking in particular is a serious threat to the countries of the region because of its nexus with terrorism; and its potential to fuel corruption and undermine governance.

Tackling these threats demands greater regional cooperation in border management, as well as justice and law enforcement sectors. Countries of the Sahel are all developing countries that face lack of capacity and resources.

Therefore, the international community in the short run must provide effective assistance to the relevant countries and regional organizations. UNODC should also play a role in providing assistance to these countries.

Evidently, to address the challenges facing the region there is a need for an integrated strategy, which has the support of the international community, Ambassador Khan underscored.

Pakistan has supported the elaboration of a United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel ----We welcome the appointment of Romano Prodi as the Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Sahel and support his efforts for the development of the strategy as well as for mobilizing resources for the region.

We hope that with his support the UN integrated strategy will soon be finalized.    He noted emphatically that this strategy of the United Nations should be based on the principle of national ownership and drafted in close consultation with concerned countries.

Ambassador Khan particularly noted that the situation in Mali poses a grave threat to regional stability and deserves urgent attention of this Council.

Pakistan supports efforts to restore the territorial integrity of Mali, address the threat of terrorism, and respond to the humanitarian situation in the country and the Sahel region through a comprehensive approach addressing both political and security aspects of the crisis.

The AU Joint Strategic Concept of Operations provides a useful basis for addressing the Malian crisis.