- Press Releases
For participants in the Colloquium on the nexus between access to education, security and governance in the Central Sahel and West Africa, education must be a political priority
Dakar, 22 November 2023 - The Colloquium on “Security Council Resolution 2601 (2021): the nexus between security, access to education, and governance in the central Sahel and West Africa” concluded today its two-day meeting in Mbour, Senegal. Organized by the United Nations Office for West Africa…
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Statement by SRSG Simão on the security situation in Freetown, Sierra Leone
Dakar, 26 November 2023 - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Santos Simão, condemns the attempted overnight forcible seizure of military installations in Freetown, Sierra Leone. He welcomes steps…
SRSG Simao dialogues with young people on the 8th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 2250 (2015) on Youth, Peace and Security
On December 4, 2023, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, Mr. Leonardo Santos Simão, engaged in a regional dialogue with young women and men from West African and Sahelian countries to mark the commemoration of the 8th anniversary of…
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At the 64th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS, Special Representative Simão stresses the importance of continued dialogue and engagement with transition countries
Dakar, 11 December 2023 - The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Santos Simão, concluded yesterday a one-week working visit to Nigeria's capital, Abuja. During his visit, Simão had a series of meetings with Nigerian…
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Open day on the implementation in West Africa and the Sahel of United Nations Security Council resolutions 1325 (2000) and subsequent on gender, women, youth, peace and security
Dakar, December 22, 2023 - The Regional Open Day on United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1325 (2000) et seq. on Gender, Women, Youth, Peace and Security was held on December 20, 2023, in Nouakchott, Islamic Republic of Mauritania, under the co-presidency of Ms. Savia N'Tahah, Minister of…
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UNOWAS supports full participation of women in political processes
Dakar, 23 December 2023 - The United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) hosted yesterday a conference on the role of women in electoral processes. The objective of the conference was to assess the current strategies and enhance their effectiveness to better bolster women's…
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At the United Nations Security Council, Special Representative Simão Reiterates UNOWAS' Commitment to Working with Regional and International Partners to Consolidate Peace, Security and Democracy in West Africa and the Sahel
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Santos Simão, yester day presented to the United Nations Security Council the latest report of the Secretary-General on the activities of UNOWAS. The report…
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In Abuja, SRSG Simao reaffirms UN support to The Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission, and calls for dialogue between ECOWAS and Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger
The special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Santos Simão, concluded today a four-day visit to Abuja, Nigeria. The objective of the visit was to discuss progress made by the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed…
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In Abuja, SRSG Simao reaffirms UN support to The Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission, and calls for dialogue between ECOWAS and Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger
The special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Santos Simão, concluded today a four-day visit to Abuja, Nigeria. The objective of the visit was to discuss progress made by the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed…
- Press Releases
SRSG Simão meets with president Macky Sall, urges all Senegalese actors to work together to create an environment conducive to a peaceful and transparent election within the framework of the Senegalese Constitution
Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, Leonardo Santos Simão, meets with president Macky Sall, urges all Senegalese actors to work together to create an environment conducive to a peaceful and transparent election within the framework of the Senegalese Constitution Dakar, 20 February…
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In Accra, the Special Representative, Leonardo Santos Simão, commends Ghana’s leadership role in the advancement of security in the sub-region, and highlights the centrality of partnerships to address challenges
Dakar, 29 February 2024 - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Santos Simão, concluded today a three-day working visit to Accra, Ghana. During his visit, Mr. Simão was received by His Excellency, Mr…
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UNOWAS and Mano River Union sign a Framework of Cooperation Agreement to further strengthen their partnership to address security challenges and promote peace
Dakar, 01 March 2024 - The United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and the Mano River Union (MRU) agreed, to further strengthen their partnership, by signing today a triennial Framework of Cooperation Agreement (FCA) for 2024 – 2026. Signed by the acting Deputy Special…