29 September 2010 - The heads of United Nations peace missions across West Africa on Wednesday held their 19th high-level meeting in Dakar in order to coordinate the UN actions for peace and stability in the region.

The meeting was chaired by the UN Secretary-General Special Representative for West Africa (UNOWA), Said Djinnit and brought together Ellen Margrethe Løj (SRSG to Liberia, UNMIL) Joseph Mutaboba (SRSG to Guinea-Bissau, UNIOGBIS), Abou Moussa (Deputy SRSG to Côte d'Ivoire, ONUCI) and Berhanemeskel Nega (UNIPSIL Deputy chief, Sierra Leone).

According to a press statement, the UN top officials discussions focused on the latest political developments in the region, particularly in Guinea-Bissau, Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Niger and Togo. They stressed the importance of a regional cooperation to maintain stability as well as sustain West Africa development and prosperity.

The situation in Guinea was also discussed with the UN heads of missions appealing political leaders and the presidential run-off candidates to overcome the current difficulties and do all they can to set up the necessary conditions for the organization of a pacific presidential second round. Considering elections as a risk of instability and peace threat, and based on the current West Africa electoral calendar, the UN missions representatives agreed to reinforce their collaboration and join their efforts to support the countries engaged in electoral processes.

The SRSGs meeting also welcomed the adoption of the Dakar Declaration during a regional forum held on 15-17 September 2010 within the UN Security Council 1325 Resolution 10th anniversary on women's role in peacekeeping and peacebuilding process.

The UN top officials finally discussed the drug trafficking and organized crime combat, in particular the West Africa Coast Initiative (WACI) establishment in order to support ECOWAS Action Plan for this sector. The WACI project encompasses Guinea-Bissau, Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Source: UNOWA