The United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) has reacted to the December 15 resolution at the 66th ECOWAS Heads of State and Government Summit in Abuja, Nigeria.

UNOWAS Special Envoy Leonardo Santo Simao urged sustained dialogue between ECOWAS and the withdrawing Sahel states—Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—warning of the potential socio-economic and political repercussions their exit might exacerbate in the region.

While addressing the summit, Simao expressed optimism and assured that the matter would be tabled before the UN Security Council on December 20, 2024. He also commended Senegal and Ghana for their efforts in consolidating peace and stability through the successful conduct of recent elections.