Introduction
In a letter dated 20 December 2010 (S/2010/661), the President of the Security Council agreed to extend the mandate of the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA) until 31 December 2013 and requested me to report to the Council every six months on the implementation of the revised mandate of the Office.
The present report, which covers the period from 1 July to 31 December 2013, provides an overview of national, cross-cutting and cross-border developments in West Africa and outlines the activities undertaken by UNOWA in the areas of good offices, preventive diplomacy and political mediation, in addition to efforts to enhance regional capacity to tackle threats and challenges to regional peace and stability. It also provides a description of the cooperation of the Office with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Mano River Union and the African Union to promote peace and stability in the region. Pursuant to the statement by the President of the Security Council of 16 July 2013 (S/PRST/2013/10), it provides an update on initial efforts by UNOWA in support of the implementation of the United Nations integrated strategy for the Sahel. Lastly, it contains recommendations regarding the renewal of the mandate of UNOWA.