Thank you for listening to Depiction's Media Radio. Welcome to Policy Rights to show about government policy and human rights. Welcome back to Policy and Rights here in Depictions Media Radio. I'm your host, Michael Clogs. The UN Human Rights Commission has been reporting about UM things that are happening in West Africa, human rights conditions that are destabilizing and a lot of it due to coups and attacks and areas of burka, guinea fossils and other areas in the Niger region of
West Africa. And we do have UM a recording of a guest who appeared via zoom into the United Nations into New y York, where they're going to talk about some of the some of the conditions and what is happening over there with UM different levels of violence and people being displaced because of violence. And according to the Human Rights Commission for the United Nations, people have met and endured horrifying traumatic events with reports of more than five hundred people being killed in
four hundred and seventy two attacks and counter military operations since last year. Along with that, UM with the lack of food and at times the ability to grow food has also helped destabilize the area. The Burka Any Fossil thirteen regions hosts people fleeing from the violence. The Center Nord region hosts the largest number of displaced people with more than nine hundred and sixty let's try it again, one hundred ninety six thousand in the Samatia province alone, allowed followed by the
Sahel region with one hundred and thirty three thousand in the southern province. Some one way people are now in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, and they also the Human Race Commission will also remain extremely worried about the thirty one thousand Malians refugees who are also are affected in an ongoing conflict. So there's a lot
of work to be done there. And let's listen to the guests who appeared into the press room for the United Nations in New York City and hear what he actually has to date to say about the area, as he is the UAN representative for that particular area of West Africa. Mister Santo Sama, can you hear us? Yes? Yes, okay, great, all right, We're we're set now. Now let's get started without any further ado. We have with us the Secretary General's Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel,
Leonardo Santo Schmau, who is talking to you from Akra, Ghana. Mister Santo, welcome, thank you, thank you good I have known everyone first and for most. Let me rate rate our condemnation of decision of power by force initial head. The unfolding crisis, if not addressed, will is acerbated, desiating the security situation in the region. It will also negatively impact the development and lives of the populations in our country, where four point three million
people need humanitarian assistance. Nisher and the region do not need cuse dat Are operations deserves to enjoy peace, democratic governance and prosperity. Heads of State of the region gather in Bush last Sunday for the EQUAS Externary Summit on the situation de Nishair and have taken the scisive action commensurate with the gravity of the situation. We remain engaged to support equa's efforts towards restoring a constitutional order and consolidating
democratic gains in Nishair. Thank you. This is my opening remarks. Okay, thank you great, thank you very much. We'll now turn the floor over to questions. First off, from Edith Letterer of the Associated Press. Um, thank you mister Santos shamov On behalf the United Nations Correspondence Association for
doing this briefing. It's a subject where all interested in. My question is the military leaders of Molly and Burkina Faso have said that the deployment of any foreign forces from Ecoas or elsewhere would be considered an act of war and they would join the niger Cool leaders to help fight. You were in Nigeria for
the ECOAS meeting. Do you expect Ecoas to go ahead with the deployment of troops in life of this, have you still been having any new discussions on what might come next In efforts to restore President Bazoom to power, the simmy to give one week to the military junta to hand a bad power to present Bazoom. If this doesn't happen with the after that week, then other options on the making, including military intervention, include use of force. That's what
they said. That period in my view, is trying to give time for a peaceful segment to take place. So there have been an airports underway. Yeah, you may recall that they ask the President of Chat to go to Niamey to meet some of the key personalities involved on these matters. So, and I believe that other efforts also and the way so I hope that the use of force eventually will not be necessary. Is the UN involved in any
of these new efforts to peacefully resolve this situation. We are supporting courts because our role is precisely that and not to be aware. But we are not engaged on any negotiations of her. But we are fully supporting the old efforts to restore democratic order in that country. Thanks, I am Asam, how
my name is it? Sam as Larabilded newspaper. I have follow up when you say you're supporting all efforts that this also include the statements you refer to by okasok which says which talks about the which includes the use of force in case the UM the military does not reinstate the elected president and UM if I'm just to to UM to clarify, so from the U N from your office, you are not in any direct contact with the military with the coup UM
people. And when was the last time you were in contact with the president Mohammad Bazoom? Thank you uh well a few weeks ago. I was umah May it was well before the cow this time around when they who started. I try to want him with that much success. But that's a name, a message of solidarity. So uh. Now, the decision of use force if necessary, it's it's not a UN A decision, it's AS decision.
But what we we, we will, we value and we support is that all means to find a peaceful solutions for for the problem should be used. But recognize also that EQUS has the right to take the admensions if they feel fit. Um just to clarify, sorry, just follow up. So does that mean I mean it's clear for me that it's an equal decision to ORUM for the issue of the use the force. But does the UN support that or not? Or do you believe in such case you would need they would
need um a Security Council resolution. No, do you want to look at the work with the UN mandate? Without mandate, UN doesn't have mandated to intervene. That's why I was saying, that's the eventual use of force. It's a hum as aboriginal decision by aquas. Okay, Celia the Labyneil Africa Confidential, you talked about giving the junta one week. Do you think it's realistic? And uh do you think also? Uh? It's what is the world realistic too? To impose sanction on a country which is the pous control
in Africa? Well marey I sorry, Nitia is a member of original organization. So when you do so, yeah, that means that you are saved to abide your political behavior in line with the principles of that organization. On the other end, yeah, you know by being a member what is going to it might happen to you if you don't follow, if you violated the
rules governing the organization of which you are part of. And therefore to say that one week, one week can be more than enough if everybody talks in good faith to find out our solution, if everybody wants to avoid a blood said about the sanction please, but the factions we are now I have been imposed a wild immediate effect. Yeah so uh under way. But even equals equals as far as I understand, it's not for use of force. It's
for negotiating a settlement of the of the situation. That's why they despite the President of Chad and the other a voice trying to find a solution that, But what did they say is that they are going to use other would use force if this peaceful means fail. Thank you. From the statement that issued by the Security Council on the issue, it doesn't seem it doesn't seem that
the Secrety Council is willing to take actions. It supports the Equas, but it doesn't seem that the Security Council itself ready or willing to take actions. Do you think there is a need for the Secret Council to take actions on this issue? Well, I don't speak on the heart of the Secret Council. I don't have a mandate for that. What I can say is that the Secret Council, you see issue a community condemned the coup, so this
can be affirt to stay as stage before eventually taking adamasure if needed. But also it was clear by the community of Secret Council that the organ is supporting the initiatives led by EQUAS. Okay, Margaret Bischer, Hi, it's Margaret Buscher from Voice of America. UM could tell us have you spoken with anyone in the military, any of the mutineers and have they given you any signal whatsoever that this could be reversible? And could you also just tell us where
you're speaking to us from today. Well, I didn't talk to any the military involved on that. As I said, we are supporting what the whole process is conducted by AQUAS and this will be the line we accepted. So we are going to continue along with this this path to support they the original organization. And by the way, he's speaking from Akra from Ghana, from Ghana, And have you had any sign that this could be reversible? Well, it's difficult. Got the situation is very fluid. What I know is
that different member states are preparing themselves to use force if necessary. But as I said that the situation is a fluid But there are these efforts of a find a peaceful solution for the problem. Everybody's giving giving a priority to produce efforts. Michelle Nichols, Thank you Michelle Nichols from Router's Um. How concerned are you that this could deteriorate, deteriorate into a regional conflict and how quickly
that could happen. But my concern is that if measures are not taking or this rat is not terriversed, it's very likely that the spread of terrorism in the region can increase so the concern is there not only mine concern but also the concern of the region. But no one wants to see original confidence happening,
but only at the end. According to what I understood the Desigmit, not only on Desigmit, but also in the seven July Sammit which took play in this own the region decided to be intolerant through illegal essessions of our Thank you abd Siam from the Arabic Daily Acts Arabi Sir. Since the end of the Cold Warder, at least had been eighty two cop military coups in Africa. Many of them were able to establish themselves and asked the previous government being
elected or not elected. Recently, there was a coups in Mali and Porkina Faso in many countries. In Egypt two thousands thirteen, a bloody coup. Yet the world we're able to tolerate and accept this military coup. Why this is an exception? Why do you think this military coup is an exception? And the African Union ECHO was the U and will never will not tolerate this
military coup. Thank you well. ECHO was as a protocol on governance on them which members said have to abide by the last ordinary Stammach in bis hour. This decision was that was truthfold one bit. Well, the region echo was as to assus those consents in transitions, namely mainly again and booking a fassle to complete the process of transition through elections. Second, not accept who
the attack anymore. So it is in land with the second part of the decision that the as of State and O generation attacking this action which is different from what they did in the past, because they understood that well this pattern of having a trial than having a negotiation two years Also, transition has to stop as in order to discourage a similar situation to happen in the future, because we have to take into account then until a few years ago all West
Africans failed. We're seen as the model of stability and democratic rule and that's at the image has to be a restored. Linda Fazila untill NPR the UN. My question is about potential negotiations. I believe you said that you know the possible threat of use of force by eCos would only occur after unless their peace discussions fail or something to that effect, that there have to be some
peace talks. So how much time. I mean, is there any indication number one that the cool leaders will will participate at all or might participate just to delay possible use of force. Well, I cannot go further than what
does because we are an expended organization to EGO different institution. Well, I'm talking based on what I ud God and the Samage, And what I did was that first they give a week the whole process and to happen therefore to find two that there are peaceful solution they found after we've then that will take
the other measures. That's what I can I can say, Kristin Salim, I wonder Kristin Salumi from Al Jazeera, Um, could you put into perspective for us the importance of Nizer for UN operations in the region, especially given in Molly the peacekeeping force there is coming to an end. Um. We were told that there's over a thousand UN employees in Nijer, some three hundred international and so on. What kind of work is being done there and what
is at risk? UM? As instability increases in the region. Thank you well. So far our colleagues in uh In Asia continue to provide to run their programs. There is no sign that this can happen in Mali's a different story because given the withdrawal of newsman or have to make sure that they can operate insecurity. If there and if there is no ccsecurity obvious, they cannot operate. So programs will have to be suspended if there is no guarantee of
assegurity for them to operate. Thank you a lot of TV station UM. Have you had any discussions in the last two days with the authorities in Mali and Burkina Asu, we saw that they both considered that any intervention in Nisia
would be considered as a declaration of war. Also, can you share with us your understanding to what's happening in the region with military leaders, because we see that this is not the first school in the region and it seems that there are some um shared maybe atmosphere or aspirations in the military authorities to UM to take power or if you can share us share with us your thoughts about that. Thank you well. On the statement Mali and Burkina, I don't
have any comment to make at this time. What I tell you is that tomorrow I will be flying to Obamaco, so I will have interaction with your authorities and maybe these matters can be raised, but so as for now, I cannot make any comment concerning the situation general situation in the region. Why the militate comes by waves you this used to be a pattern until twenty thirty
years ago and now it's coming back. But the some of the initial initial analysis, preliminary analysis, this associates also with the deaths of a governors or in sometimes but also on the maybe CONTACTO effects when things happened when Canto might happen with Canton. But I want to be caious cautious with that because this are just preliminary things. They are not Fairman status as far as I know
on the East Country is different. Yeah, so, but this is a phenomenon we have to look at. What is clear is that they as wants these two come to a stop. Okay, Josie lineback, Thanks very much. I wanted to find out one exactly this week long uh negotiation begins. Is it today as of today? And also you mentioned that some countries in Ecowas would be willing to intervene militarily. Which countries are they and do they
include chair? Thanks well about you. When the Saturday the designed took place last Sunday, so the end of the time frame given it's next Sunday. So and on country, I didn't say that the as some cancers, which way I said the organization might side is willing to intervene in militarily, but not singling out individual countries, but the organization itself. Okay, if I may follow up, So which countries in the organization have expressed interest in intervening
militarily? Thanks, well, they discussed the situation, they approved a communicate. This is or what the h I can say, but not individual concers. Okay, I will not be appropriate for me to say this. Councer said that that cancers said no, this will not be appropriate for nature.
Yeah. Joe Klein of Canada Free Press. At the summit meeting that you mentioned the ECO as summit meeting um and in the context of discussing possible military intervention, Uh, did the subject of the mercenaries and particularly the Wagner group come up? Because where the group is increasing it's involvement in a number of the Sahill countries, and I believe has some presence um in Nigera. Yeah that what yeah? Yeah? Please please whoever else has their microphone out shut
it down. Okay, all right, okay, so okay now uh mister Shanta Sama, can you repeat what you were saying? Sorry, someone else had a microphone on over to you. That group was not discussing the samog okay uh. And then last question, I know, I know you have to head out to Evelyn over to you. Thank you for a hand. Evelyn Leopold Globe Product Media. UM looking at the long range problems in the Sahle, it seems that they get military help from all sorts of countries when
they need it. They get humanitarian help from the United invasions and from other NGOs, which is fine, but it's a band aid. And is there any thought given to having real economic help such as schools to educate all the young people so they don't all drift to Europe and become migrants, and other
programs that even a military would agree to if it would. I'm just wondering if this is something the UN had planned or thought about and so forth, well, then push is to have her humanitarian development and security interventions are all combined, because without security there is no sustainable development. You build something today tomorrow is want to be destroyed. But at the same time, it's important to provide short term a relief to the populations and need you have a displacement
of populations. The number of refugees is increasingly in the region. So all these three xs have to be dealt with almost simultaneously. But security through to bring security is paramount. Thank you, Okay, thanks very much, and like once again to thank our guest, the Special Representative for West African this health all right, thank you for listening today. A final thought, when disease rises and food becomes scarce, people will start to become scared and it
allows a boiling pot for coups, violence, counter military attacks. And what needs to happen is, you know, people in charge, the governments and everything need to listen to what the people are saying and hear what their needs are. Sometimes the glossing over because of a dictatorship puts people at risk for starvation and disease. And if the governments aren't aren't asking, aren't asking the right questions and aren't listening to the answers, then the government isn't doing the
job it's supposed to do for the people. So just something to think about and as we as as we move forward, with our with our own government here in either most of you are listening from either Canada or the United States, and say, it's the government really listening, And how do we get them to listen before things hit a critical point where violent protests starts to happen. You know, maybe we're not as much at risk of a coup,
but we don't need to have anything violent happened. And how do we make the government listen before those sort of problems that actually happen. So click that subscribe button wherever you are and get continued updates from us. The show has been produced by Depictions Media. Please contact us at depictions dot media for more information.