He said that there was a need to systematically and collectively address the root causes of instability in the region. He gave an assurance of Slovenia’s continued participation in the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali) and the engagement of the Slovenian Foundation for IFT Enhancing Human Security, which already supports the efforts of ECOWAS and the African Union in the field of early warning and conflict response.

At the meeting, the ministers discussed joint activities in the context of the multidimensional crisis in the Sahel, which last year was marked by coup d’état in Mali, Chad and Burkina Faso, and the spread of the crisis and instability to the countries of the Gulf of Guinea. The ministers adopted a joint declaration underlining their full support for the efforts of the African Union and ECOWAS to reinstate the constitutional order in Mali and Burkina Faso. They expressed grave concern about the growing threat of terrorism and the risks posed by the presence of Russian paramilitary groups in Mali and their potentially destabilising impact on the whole region. They reaffirmed their commitment to the protection of civilians, the fight against impunity and respect for human rights and international humanitarian law.

The high-level event was organised by the Secretariat of the International Coalition for the Sahel. In addition to the foreign ministers of EU countries, African countries and partner countries in the region, the video conference was also attended by senior representatives of the European Union, the African Union, the United Nations, the World Bank, the Sahel Alliance and regional organisations.