Kuwait concerned over violence in Africa's Sahel region

NEW YORK, May 17 (KUNA) -- Kuwait expressed concern over the growing attacks and violence in Africa's Sahel region, calling for further international cooperation to resolve the situation.
The remarks were made by Member of the Kuwaiti permanent delegation to the UN Counselor Tariq Al-Banai, during the UN Security Council's session on the recent development in the Sahel Joint Force late Thursday.
Al-Banai hailed efforts of the joint force in facing terrorist attacks, bringing peace and stability to the region and protecting human rights.
Furthermore, he called for achieving development in the region as part of resolving the ongoing tension. He added that the weak economy and climate change play a role in the unstable situation.
The violent herder-farmer conflicts in Nigeria, Mali, Sudan and other countries in the Sahel region have been exacerbated by climate change, land degradation, and population growth. Droughts and food shortages have been also linked to the Northern Mali conflict. (end) asf.ag