China envoy to UN calls for dialogue in West Africa and Sahel.

Published:July11,2022

By staff writer

Ambassador Dai Bing

Chinese UN deputy permanent representative to the United Nations (UN) Ambassador Dai Bing, has called for west Africa and Sahel regions to “stay committed to the overall direction of resolving political differences (in West Africa and the Sahel) through dialogue.” The diplomat made the call on Thursday, while speaking at the UN Security Council briefing on the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS).

In Mali, which had been under sanctions following the military takeover of government, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held a summit which recommended the lifting of sanctions against the country. The Chinese envoy supported the ECOWAS recommendation, adding that China supports African efforts to find solutions to their own problems and the international community should respect the sovereignty and leadership of regional countries.

“China supports Africa in finding African solutions to African issues, and supports ECOWAS in continuing to maintain dialogue with countries in political transition, to jointly advance the political transition along the right track,” said the ambassador. While commenting on   security and stability in the region, ambassador Dai Bing said that “violent terrorist forces in the region have frequently launched attacks, spreading their activities from the Sahel countries to coastal countries along the Gulf of Guinea, seriously jeopardizing regional security and stability.”

Commenting on the war against terrorism, the Chinese envoy said that China supports joint efforts by countries to put resources together to fight terrorism.    “Counter-terrorism is a comprehensive war. And countries in the region form an inseparable security community. China supports these countries in strengthening cooperation in terms of equipment, intelligence, and logistical supplies, promoting disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants, and actively and effectively curbing the spread of terrorism,” he said. Ambassador Dai observed that the G5 Sahel countries are at the forefront of counter-terrorism, and have made great efforts and big sacrifices to curb the spread of terrorist forces over the years. Dai said that the role of G5 Sahel countries in counter-terrorism in West Africa and on the African continent in general “is really irreplaceable.”