Lome, 24 January 2012 - As part of his regular consultations with leaders of West African countries, the Special Representative of Secretary-General for West Africa, Said Djinnit, concluded a two-day visit in Togo, a country that currently chairs the Economic and Monetary Union of West Africa (UEMOA).

During his visit, Said Djinnit discussed with Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe and met with government officials, leaders of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission, representatives of political parties and the diplomatic corps as well as the United Nations Country Team.
 

The Special Representative welcomed the progress made in ​​the peace-building process, the reinforcement of democracy and national reconciliation. In this context, he encouraged the authorities to continue reforms and urged politicians to maintain dialogue in an inclusive way to create conditions for free, fair and transparent legislative and local elections and thus consolidate the democratic gains of the country. The Special Representative reiterated the availability of the United Nations to support Togo in these different areas.
 

The Special Representative exchanged views with President Faure Gnassingbe on the political and socioeconomic situation in West Africa, including threats to stability in the sub-region. As such, they discussed the security situation in the Sahel in the light of the impact of the Libyan crisis and terrorist activities by AlQaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), the rise of Boko Haram activities in Nigeria and the risk that this represents for Nigeria and the sub-region as well as on the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime, and the development of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
 

******

For more information: Laurence Gerard, Public Information Officer for the UN Office for West Africa (UNOWA) - Office: 221 33-869-8560 - Mobile: 221 77- 3324928 - E-mail: gerardl@un.org - http://unowa.unmissions.org