UN DSG meets Tinubu, calls for return of democracy in Mali, Niger

By Kunle Sanni

The Deputy Secretary-General (DSG) of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, met with President Bola Tinubu on Friday to discuss efforts to restore constitutional rule in several West African countries currently under military juntas.

Following the meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Mohammed briefed correspondents on the discussions. She mentioned that, apart from updating the president on proposals he had previously made to maintain dialogue as Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS, they also assessed emerging challenges in the region.

She disclosed that they discussed incorporating economic development for the nations to prevent suffering among their citizens.

The countries now under military rule in West Africa are Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea Conakry.

She said, “My visit here was to see Mr. President and to give him a debrief on the visit of myself and the delegation within West Africa, including Senegal, Guinea Conakry, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.

“We also went to Ethiopia on a finance mission.
“We were able to debrief on the proposals he had made to try to keep the dialogue going for some of the states that we have challenges with.

“At the same time, we also looked for the possibilities to include more economic development so that the people don’t suffer.”

She pointed out that the UN is not negotiating on behalf of ECOWAS but supporting the subregion.

Asked whether the world body was in negotiation on behalf of the bloc, she said, “Absolutely not. The UN does not negotiate on behalf of ECOWAS; what it does is support the leadership of ECOWAS, and that’s why we came here to debrief the President.”

On what the UN is telling the countries, the DSG said, “We are telling these countries that they have a crisis with unconstitutional changes, and they must come back to a transition and a process to democracy.

“They also need to look at the development paradigm for their people, including addressing terrorism, jobs, food security, and energy. All those also have to continue.

“If they can display a roadmap that gives everyone confidence that there is a return to democratic rule, they will find support. I believe that in ECOWAS, we are a family.

“Regional integration is at the heart of it. It is what these countries have said. The proposal by ECOWAS in its last meeting, to have President Faye of Senegal and President Faure of Togo continue that dialogue and engagement, is a good one.”

On the response of the countries, Mohammed said, “The response from them is that they feel they have not had the same support from ECOWAS that they envisaged and a lack of understanding. In some cases, they are going to go ahead with their alliance, but at the same time, they express their priorities.

“First was security and the fight against terrorism. The second was investments they were looking for in areas like food security and job creation for young people.”