APO Group - Africa Newsroom / Press Release » United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS)

Source: United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) | Jun 25, 2025

Special Representative Simão concludes visit to Burkina Faso, expresses solidarity and renews United Nations Support

The discussions covered various topics related to the national and regional situation, particularly the security situation in the sub-region and the need to coordinate efforts to effectively combat terrorism, which is using more sophisticated weapons and children

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 yesterday a four-day visit to Burkina Faso. Following his visit to Niger, this trip was also part of UNOWAS ongoing commitment to support the people of…

Source: United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) | Jun 06, 2025

Special Representative Simão Concludes Visit to Guinea, Reaffirms United Nations Commitment to Supporting a Peaceful and Inclusive Transition

The purpose of this visit was to continue discussions with the transitional authorities to provide effective support for their efforts toward a return to constitutional order

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mr. Leonardo Santos Simão, concluded yesterday a three-day visit to Conakry, Guinea. The purpose of this visit was to continue discussions with the transitional authorities to provide effective support for…

Source: United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) | May 08, 2025

In Banjul, Special Representative Simão reaffirms United Nations’s support to The Gambia to consolidate peace and democracy

The mission was part of the Special Representative’s continued engagements in the region and aimed to reaffirm UNOWAS support to The Gambia’s efforts to consolidate peace and democracy

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 yesterday, a three-day visit to The Gambia. The mission was part of the Special Representative’s continued engagements in the region and aimed to reaffirm UNOWAS support…

Source: United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) | Apr 21, 2025

Special Representative Leonardo Santos Simão concludes his visit to Côte d'Ivoire, calls on all Ivorians to act together

The objective of the visit was to strengthen the partnership and reaffirm the United Nations's support to Côte d'Ivoire in its efforts to consolidate peace, democracy and development

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel, Leonardo Santos Simão, concluded yesterday a two-day working visit to Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. The objective of the visit was to strengthen the partnership and reaffirm the United Nations's support to Côte…

Source: United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) | Apr 17, 2025

Special Representative, Leonardo Santos Simão, concludes a two-day working visit to Ghana, reaffirmed United Nations’s support

The Special Representative commended Ghana's leadership role in regional affairs, and reiterated UNOWAS engagement to continue working closely with the authorities and people of Ghana to promote peace, security, and development

As part of his continued engagement, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel(UNOWAS), Leonardo Santos Simão, yesterday concluded a two-day working visit to Accra, Ghana. During his visit, the Special Representative was received in audience by the President…

Source: United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) | Mar 28, 2025

West and Central Africa: United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and United Nations Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) pool their efforts to strengthen peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders and ensure the sustainable management of transhumance

Participants also addressed key issues such as competition for access to natural resources (land, water, pasture), seasonal livestock migrations, and rural land management policies, which shape not only these interactions, but also regional governance

The United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and for Central Africa (UNOCA) organized a workshop on strengthening peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders and the proper management of transhumance from 26 to 27 February 2025 in Dakar. More than thirty participants from several countries in these…

Source: United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) | Feb 20, 2025

Special Representative Simão praises Mauritania's key role in regional stability

The Special Representative reiterated the commitment of the United Nations and UNOWAS to support Mauritania in its progess towards sustainable development and the consolidation of democracy

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Santos Simão, today concluded a visit to Mauritania. This visit is part of UNOWAS' continued commitment to support efforts to consolidate peace, stability and development in the sub-region, especially…

Source: United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) | Nov 06, 2024

At the High-level Conference on Strengthening International Counter-Terrorism Cooperation, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Simão calls on to put in place a regional cooperation mechanism to support the countries of the Central Sahel to successfully fight terrorism

The conference aimed at promoting regional and international cooperation on various border security and management issues outlined in the eighth review resolution of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel, Leonardo Santos Simão, participated in the High-level Conference on Strengthening International Counter-Terrorism Cooperation and Building Agile Border Security Mechanisms, held on 4-5 November in Kuwait. Co-organized by the State of Kuwait,…

Source: United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) | Oct 17, 2024

Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, Leonardo Santos Simão, Expresses Deep Sadness over Deadly Explosion of Fuel Tanker In Jigawa State, Northern Nigeria

The Special Representative conveys his heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of Nigeria and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Santos Simão, has learned with deep sadness of the tragic explosion of fuel tanker in Jigawa State, Northern Nigeria, in which more than 150 people reportedly lost their lives…

Source: United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) | Sep 20, 2024

Special Representative Simão Concludes His Visit to Benin, He Highlights the Importance for Countries of the Sub-Region to Act Together to Curb Insecurity

With his interlocutors, the Special Representative discussed various topics related to the regional and national situation

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 yesterday a two-day visit to Benin. During his visit, Mr. Simão was received in audience by his H.E. Patrice Talon, President of the Republic of Benin.…

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