Kuwait condemns terrorism in Africa's Sahel

NEW YORK, July 11 (KUNA) -- Kuwait on Wednesday fiercely condemned terrorist acts targeting the safety and security of Africa's Sahel region, namely carried out by groups like Boko Haram and the so-called Islamic State.
In a speech at the United Nations Security Council, Kuwait's permanent representative Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi underlined Kuwait's support of governments in their efforts to tackle terrorism and economic challenges.
During a session discussing the role of women and security in the Sahel, he said this was faced with numerous challenges.
These include challenges to the environment, which subsequently affect food security, economic, like unemployment, and security, like terrorism.
Women, in particular, are affected by these challenges due to their situation, he said.
Terror groups, through recruitment, target women, he said. This is why the UN needs to employ more and more women throughout its peace-preserving missions.
He went to commend the UN's role in enhancing the role of women in these efforts, most recently after the organization increased their participation in a mission aimed at stability in Mali by 22 percent.
The UN has also placed women's empowerment on its priority list as part of a strategy aimed the Sahel.
The Kuwaiti envoy also praised the "crucial role" played by the African Union in leading peace missions, describing this as an extremely important means to respond to disputes and crises in Africa.
There is an opportunity to increase the role of African women in efforts to achieve security and sustainable peace on the continent, he underlined. (end) asf.sd