The President of the Republic: ‘Our deep ambition is for a Sahel at peace with itself and a factor of peace and stability for its neighborhood and for the world’

On 18 December, His Excellency the President of the Republic, Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, President-in-Office of the G-5 Sahel, addressed the peoples of the G-5 Sahel countries as they are celebrating the anniversary the signing, on 19 December 2014, of the convention creating this important sub-regional organization. In his speech, the President of the Republic recalled that the celebration of the “G5-Sahel Day” aims, among other things, to change the reality of the peoples of the Sahel and to magnify our deep ambition for a Sahel at peace with itself and a factor of peace and stability for its neighborhood and for the world. He added that despite the many challenges, the G-5 Sahel countries have shown resilience to continue their fight against insecurity and initiate economic recovery plans while pursuing with vigor and determination the fight against terrorism. The President of the Republic also pointed out that, beyond its human cost, the COVID-19 pandemic has partly hampered the objectives of the G-5 Sahel countries and further weakened their economies already bearing the brunt of debt burden. Here is the full text of the speech made by the President of the Republic: “Populations of the Sahel, Partners and friends of the Sahel, Ladies and gentlemen On 16 February 2014, in Nouakchott, the heads of state of Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Chad, driven by great political will and on the basis of a strong ambition for the Sahel, decided to set up the G-5 Sahel, with a view to coordinating the development and security policies and strategies of their respective States. The Convention establishing our young organization having been signed on 19 December 2014, the Conference of Heads of State decided, at the end of the summit held on 6 June 2017 in Bamako, to institutionalize 19 December as “G-5 Sahel Day” in all Member States. The celebration of the “G-5 Sahel Day” aims, among other things, to change the reality of the peoples of the Sahel and to magnify our deep ambition for a Sahel at peace with itself and a factor of peace and stability for its neighborhood and for the world. This day of celebration and communion between Sahelians also gives me the opportunity, on behalf of my peers from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Chad, and in my capacity as President-in-office of the G-5 Sahel, to address the brave communities of our respective countries whose well-being, tranquility and security are our raison d'être. Announced on 25 February, the roadmap of the Mauritanian rotating presidency, placed under the theme: “Youth and Hope”, has enabled to effectively pursue the implementation of the strategic objectives of the G-5 Sahel. Achieving these goals is now partly hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic which, beyond its human cost, has further weakened our economies, already bearing the brunt of debt burden. In this regard, I reiterate, with my peers, Heads of State of the G-5 Sahel, our constant demand for immediate cancellation of the debt of our States and for consequent support for the various national plans, to help our countries overcome the effects of this multidimensional crisis and to embark resolutely on the path of peace and prosperity. Despite the many challenges, our countries have shown resilience to continue their fight against insecurity and initiate economic recovery plans. Our defense and security forces, alongside the G-5 Sahel Joint Force and international partner forces, continue the fight against terrorism with vigor and determination. Along with the significant efforts made by our countries in the development field, regional projects to empower the most vulnerable populations are underway, with an ever-growing partnership, in particular with the Sahel Alliance. Thus, under the Emergency Development Program, 18 projects out of 21 have already been launched, in addition to resilience and recovery projects to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. I would like to salute here the launch of the Coalition for the Sahel at the summit between the G-5 Sahel and the European Union on 28 April 2020 and the intense diplomatic activity that followed for the operationalization and internationalization of this Coalition. I seize this opportunity to express once again our most sincere thanks to all our bilateral and multilateral partners for their valuable support. With my brother Heads of State of the G-5 Sahel and with the strong support of the Sahelian populations, we will continue with determination this work so crucial for the progress and preservation of peace in our sub-region, in Africa and in the world. LONG LIVE THE G-5 SAHEL! LONG LIVE PEACE!".