Mandate for UN Office for West Africa is renewed through 2007

The United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA), established in 2001 to promote peace, security and development and assist regional organizations, has been given a more detailed mandate over the next three years, according to an exchange of letters between Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the Security Council.

The founding mandate of November 2001 said UNOWA should enhance links with existing UN agencies in the region and, where appropriate, assist the 16-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the three-member Mano River Union and carry out good offices roles and special assignments on behalf of the Secretary-General.

In Mr. Annan's renewal of the Office's mandate through 31 December 2007, released today, UNOWA would "facilitate the identification of practical ways of curbing or minimizing emerging or potential tensions in specific border areas of the West African region, including through field visits and the formulation of integrated border strategies" and "develop better knowledge and awareness about cross-border and sub-regional problems."

It would enhance harmonization of the UN missions in the region by organizing meetings of the Special Representatives of the Secretary-General (SRSGs) heading peacekeeping missions and arranging meetings with regional heads of UN agencies.

The SRSG heading UNOWA should facilitate the implementation of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling in 2002 demarcating land and maritime boundaries between Cameroon and Nigeria.

UNOWA and ECOWAS should develop a joint programme of work, as agreed in a 2004 framework of cooperation agreement, including "working visits by UNOWA staff to the ECOWAS secretariat."

In cooperation with other UN agencies in the area, UNOWA would "develop targeted public information strategies on cross-border and sub-regional issues in West Africa."

UNOWA has its headquarters in Dakar, Senegal.