The Entente Council and the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) have finalized a landmark three-year Memorandum of Understanding to bolster regional peace, stability, and diplomatic collaboration across West Africa and the Sahel.
Strengthening regional resilience through structured cooperation
Signed in Abidjan-Cocody on September 29, 2026, the agreement establishes a formal framework for joint action amid persistent security, political, humanitarian, and institutional challenges. The partnership aims to deepen coordination between member states and regional bodies while safeguarding critical dialogue spaces.
Diplomacy at the forefront: prevention and mediation
The agreement prioritizes preventive diplomacy, mediation, and political dialogue. Key initiatives include coordinated strategic consultations, good offices missions, and structured facilitation efforts to de-escalate tensions and foster consensus.
Border resilience and inclusive peacebuilding
A second focus area targets border regions plagued by instability. The partnership will concentrate on conflict prevention, social cohesion initiatives, and targeted engagement with youth and women to amplify their role in sustainable peace efforts.
Institutional growth and shared intelligence
The third pillar emphasizes institutional strengthening through joint research, shared intelligence, advisory support, and capacity-building programs designed to enhance the Entente Council’s operational effectiveness.
UNOWAS and Entente Council: a strategic alliance for Sahel stability
The Memorandum formally recognizes the Entente Council as a key diplomatic platform for mediation and regional reconciliation. Under the agreement, the Council may facilitate rapprochement between states or regional blocs when critical situations demand it.
Implementation roadmap: annual reviews and joint missions
To ensure accountability, the two institutions will develop yearly joint workplans, designate focal points, and conduct regular progress assessments. Joint evaluation missions and diplomatic facilitation deployments may also be deployed in response to emerging threats.
Leadership underscores the pact’s urgency
Leonardo Simão, UNOWAS Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, emphasized the agreement’s timeliness during the signing ceremony. ‘Peace is never guaranteed; it demands continuous effort to maintain where it exists and restore where it is absent,’ he stated.
Highlighting the Entente Council’s historic role, Simão noted its founding in 1959—predating both the African Union and ECOWAS—as a testament to its enduring utility in regional peace initiatives.
Idi Ali, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Entente Council, commended the agreement, calling it a milestone for the organization’s contributions to under-siege Sahelian states and coastal nations alike. ‘This partnership is a strategic leap toward consolidating regional peace,’ he affirmed.
