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Achieving peace in Sahel requires global support for Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger — MFA

The parties exchanged views on the situation in West Africa and Sahel, "focusing on humanitarian and socio-economic challenges, uncontrolled migration"

MOSCOW, March 20. /TASS/. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin drew the attention of Special Representative and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) Leonardo Santos Simao to the fact that achieving peace in the Sahel Region hinges on international efforts to help Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement

"We specifically drew Simao’s attention to the fact that a sustainable settlement in the Sahel Region requires international support, namely for Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, which are simultaneously engaged in countering terrorism in Africa and defending their own sovereignty," the ministry emphasized.

The parties also exchanged views on the situation in West Africa and Sahel, "focusing on humanitarian and socio-economic challenges, uncontrolled migration, the lack of resources necessary for development, integration processes, including activities within ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States - TASS) and the Sahel Alliance."

In addition, the work of UNOWAS in promoting stability and responding to a wide range of challenges in West Africa and the Sahel was discussed in detail. "Russia expressed support for their efforts. We noted the importance of building them in a neutral and constructive manner in the interests of all countries of the region," the Russian Foreign Ministry noted.

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