"ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES - ECOWAS"

UN Secretary-General António Guterres briefs reporters ahead of the start of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly and presents his Common Agenda Report.

Issuing presidential statement, Security Council expresses grave concern over dire situation in West Africa, Sahel, Gulf of Guinea.

Intercommunal tensions, electoral transparency among challenges facing West Africa, Sahel area, Special Representative tells Security Council.

Security Council renews mandate of United Nations Disengagement Observer Force for six months, renews sanctions on Democratic Republic of the Congo, sets 5 November as election date to fill International Court of Justice vacancy, renews mandate of Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali. Senior peacekeeping official warns Security Council of chronic divisive rhetoric, genocide denial in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Informal comments to the media by Nicolas de Rivière, Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations on the situation in Mali.

Amid Mali’s worsening humanitarian situation, delegates in Security Council call upon authorities to protect civilians, underline need for credible elections.

A UN Spokesperson said, “the Secretary-General continues to follow the situation in Mali with concern and continues to be engaged.” UNIFEED

The spokesperson for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) reiterated “its strong condemnation of the arrest of President Bah N’Daw, and Prime Minister, Moctar Ouane, as well as some other of their colleagues,” stressing that “this action has serious consequences for Mali and the region as a whole.” UNIFEED

Briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Sahel force vital in fight against extremist armed groups, Peace Operations Chief tells Security Council, calling for increased funding.