UNOWA
United Nations Office for West Africa

Closure of UNOWA

The United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA) was established in January 2002 to promote political stability in the region. Its mandate ended in January 2016, when it merged with the Office of the Special Envoy for the Sahel (OSES) to form the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS).

Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Guinea-Bissau

New York, 9 January 2012 - The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the passing of President Malam Bacai Sanha today in Paris. The Secretary-General presents his condolences to the family of the late President and the people of Guinea-Bissau. He pays tribute to President Sanha's leadership in guiding Guinea-Bissau, at a particularly difficult time in its history.The Secretary-General trusts that the succession arrangements provided for in the Constitution of Guinea-Bissau will be fully respected. He wishes to reassure the national authorities and the people of Guinea-Bissau of the full support of the United Nations.