Press release - Youth is committed to a better understanding of insecurity in the Sahel

Considering the resolve of the Sahelian people to build a State governed by the rule of law guaranteeing, on the one hand, the exercise of collective and individual rights, freedom, justice, dignity, equality, safety and well-being as fundamental values of our society, and on the other hand, peace, security and safety as an important weapon for all development;

Considering its attachment to the principles of pluralist democracy and human rights as defined by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 1966, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of 1966 and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights of 1981;

Considering its unwavering attachment to the fundamental principle of the involvement of all the decision-making bodies, from the bottom to the top, without any discrimination based on sex, race, age or social affiliation;

We, youth and civil society organizations from the Sahel and France, duly committed to defending the territorial integrity of this area and our commitment and determination to fight alongside our decision-makers, are committed with the support and guidance of the 2r3s.

Co-signatories :

- Mamane Kaka Touda, coordinator of the Mouvement des Jeunes pour le Développement Durable et la Paix (MJDDP) and coordinator of the G5 Sahel Youth Network in Niger,

- The Kisal Association for the Defence of Human Rights in the Sahel,

- MROD/BF, the movement for reflection on development opportunities in Burkina Faso,

- Les Ambassadeurs de la Jeunesse,

- ODTE, the Tuareg Diaspora Organisation in Europe,

- And the 2r3s, the Strategic Reflection Network on Security in the Sahel.

Recognizing the crying need to better take into account the demands and needs of local actors and populations in the implementation of public policies, 2r3s and its partners in Sahelian and French civil society are mobilizing to strengthen the role of youth, women, diasporas and civil society more broadly in preventing situations of fragility in the Sahel.

We also hereby underline the willingness of Sahelian and European youth and civil society networks to meet in order to emphasise the importance of strengthening Euro-African ties.

This project dedicated to civil society and youth is at the heart of the MIPAS Platform, the International Mechanism for the Prevention and Anticipation of Fragile Situations in the Sahel and West Africa, the fight against terrorism and the prevention of radicalisation and violent extremism in the Sahel.

Formulates the need to develop a strategic Sahelian culture

We firmly believe in the need to strengthen the critical thinking of populations and societies through knowledge, debate and dialogue between stakeholders. Critical thinking is the cornerstone of the resilience of Sahelian societies.

We see the development of critical thinking as an imperative in the battle against the indoctrination and radicalization of young people in the Sahel.

Expresses the need for a better consideration of the local realities of CSOs

We are committed to fully assuming our role as a "transmission belt" whose objective is to relay not only the expectations and preoccupations of the populations, but also to give greater visibility to the actions carried out by States and their partners.

We recommend that the voice of civil society be more audible in decision-making and governance spheres and that its capacities be constantly strengthened.

Aware of the importance and recognition of the crucial role of the diaspora

We affirm that the role of diasporas from G5 Sahel countries must be encouraged and taken into account as part of a comprehensive and inclusive approach to crisis prevention and control in the sub-region. This role can no longer be neglected in the face of the migration dynamics of the XXIst century.

Diasporas are increasingly reaffirming their role as development partners, particularly in supporting cooperation policies and facilitating relations between the G5 Sahel countries and Europe.

Paris, February 20, 2019