Niamey, 17 June, 2011 - As part of a tour in the Sahel countries, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa, Mr. Said Djinnit, visited Niger on 17 June.
During his stay in Niamey, the Special Representative met with government officials, including President Mahamadou Issoufou, with whom he discussed issues impacting on peace and security in Niger and in the region.
The Special Representative also seized this opportunity to express the readiness of the United Nations to continue supporting efforts aimed at strengthening institutions and democratic governance in Niger as well as mobilizing international support to assist the country overcoming the various challenges it is facing, including in the socio-economic sphere and towards achieving food security. The Special Representative is expected to visit other countries of the Sahel in the near future.
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For more information: Laurence Gerard, Public Information Officer for the UN Office for West Africa (UNOWA) - Office: 221 33-869-8560 - Mobile: 221 77- 332 4928 - E-mail: gerardl@un.org - http://unowa.unmissions.org