Niger’s leadership has taken a proactive stance in shaping the future of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS). In Niamey, Dr. Mamoudou Harouna Djingarey, Chair of the Refoundation Advisory Council (CCR), engaged in high-level discussions with Sahle-Work Zewde, Ethiopia’s former president and head of the Independent Strategic Review (RSI) mission for UNOWAS.
The meeting comes at a pivotal moment as regional dynamics in West Africa and the Sahel undergo significant shifts. The discussions centered on UNOWAS’s evolving role amid escalating security threats, political transitions, humanitarian crises, and development challenges across the Sahel.
Niger’s refoundation priorities take center stage
The CCR Chair outlined the institution’s guiding principles, emphasizing its role in supporting Niger’s refoundation process. The council advocates for stronger national sovereignty, social cohesion, and lasting peace—key pillars for addressing the Sahel’s most pressing challenges.
The dialogue explored critical themes such as governance, regional stability, conflict prevention, and collaborative frameworks among West African and Sahelian states. Dr. Djingarey underscored how these priorities align with broader efforts to strengthen resilience in the face of regional instability.
Evaluating UNOWAS: aligning with Sahel realities
Sahle-Work Zewde’s visit is part of an independent strategic review aimed at assessing UNOWAS’s effectiveness and redefining its mandate to better address the region’s evolving security, political, and humanitarian landscape.
United Nations officials are seeking to recalibrate the bureau’s interventions, ensuring they respond to the Sahel’s complex realities—from insurgent threats to governance transitions and humanitarian emergencies. The insights gathered during these consultations will inform the review’s recommendations and shape UNOWAS’s future direction.
Strengthening Niger’s diplomatic partnerships
The meeting highlighted Niger’s commitment to maintaining constructive dialogue with international partners while upholding national sovereignty. Dr. Djingarey stressed that cooperation with global institutions must respect Niger’s self-determination and policy choices.
The discussions were also attended by Abdou Moustapha, General Rapporteur of the CCR. This engagement represents another milestone in the independent review’s consultations, whose findings will help redefine UNOWAS’s role amid the Sahel’s profound transformations.
