Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) – On the 18th, the UN Security Council held an open meeting on consolidating peace in West Africa and the Sahel. In his speech, the Chinese representative emphasized that the international community should help West Africa and the Sahel region enhance their independent counter-terrorism capabilities, build a common security defense line, and promote sustainable development.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres pointed out in his speech that the security situation in West Africa and the Sahel is deteriorating. According to the Global Terrorism Index report, five of the ten countries most affected by terrorism are located in the Sahel region, which accounts for 19% of global terrorist attacks and more than half of the related deaths. To prevent the situation from deteriorating further, the international community must strengthen its efforts in three areas: rebuilding regional cooperation mechanisms, increasing humanitarian investment, and promoting sustainable development.
China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Geng Shuang, stated in his speech that facing the increasingly severe counter-terrorism situation, West African and Sahel countries must enhance their counter-terrorism capabilities and build professional, efficient, and well-equipped security forces. The international community should support the deepening of cooperation within mechanisms such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Confederation of the Sahel States, and multinational joint task forces, strengthening coordination in joint military operations, border patrols, and logistical escort to form a unified force. He reiterated his support for "solving African problems in an African way" and expressed his expectation for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2719, providing sustainable financial support for the African Union's autonomous peacekeeping operations.
Geng Shuang specifically pointed out that the weak economic foundations and insufficient social security in some West African and Sahel countries create opportunities for terrorist organizations to spread extremist ideologies and recruit members. The international community should focus on both short-term investments such as humanitarian aid and long-term support in poverty alleviation, employment, and infrastructure construction to reduce the influence of extremist forces at their source.
Geng Shuang, China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations: For a long time, China has supported West African and Sahel countries in strengthening capacity building and carrying out counter-terrorism operations through the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the China-UN Peace and Development Fund, which has been warmly welcomed by countries in the region. Guided by global security initiatives and global governance initiatives, China will work with the international community to promote stronger counter-terrorism cooperation in West Africa and the Sahel. To make a greater contribution to maintaining peace and security in this region and throughout Africa.
