Brussels, 20/04/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 20 April, the EU equipped itself with a 2015-2020 action plan for the Sahel region in order to implement the EU's holistic strategy for the development and security of the Sahel. The EU reviewed this strategy in 2014 and confirms its validity and relevance.
The 2015-2020 action plan was adopted without debate on the sidelines of the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg. This is a key time for the countries of the region which are facing the threat of terrorism, all sorts of trafficking (including of migrants who are trying to flee from poverty and conflicts), and violent extremism.
The action plan will serve to strengthen the EU's emphasis on: - the prevention and fight against radicalisation; - the creation of socio-economic conditions to help young people; - migration, mobility and border management; - the fight against illegal trafficking and cross-border organised crime. These are the four domains that are particularly relevant for stabilising the region.
In its unanimous conclusions, the Council hails the action plan - which reaffirms the EU's continued commitment to the Sahel region and the EU's support for sustainable political and socio-economic development, for strengthening human rights, for democratic governance and the rule of law, and for resilience in response to the multi-dimensional crisis in the Sahel.
The EU underlines the importance of encouraging closer synergies between the countries of the region, and between the Sahel and the neighbouring countries. Given the geographical proximity of the Sahel, the EU and its immediate neighbours from the Mediterranean shore, the EU underlines the need to explore further the possibilities for a common space for dialogue and cooperation between the Sahel, the Maghreb and the EU in sectors such as security and migration in order to tackle cross-border issues better. The existing mechanisms and dialogues such as the Rabat and Khartoum processes on migration and development should be exploited to this end, the Council states.
The EU reiterates its availability to continue its close cooperation with the countries of the Sahel and to support them in their efforts for peace, security and development. The action plan will be implemented primarily by the countries of the Sahel which will have the main responsibility, in coordination with international organisations, African regional organisations and other partners. The Council calls on High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, the European Commission and the member states to implement this action plan. The Council, for its part, will return to the action plan when necessary and at least once a year. The EU's key objective remains to strengthen security throughout the region by fighting terrorism, illegal trafficking, radicalisation and violent extremism. (Aminata Niang)