The top United Nations political official begins a week-long visit to West and Central Africa on Monday to discuss the consolidation of peace and stability in the region, as well as ways the world body can support efforts to that end. Senegal will be the first stop for Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe on the six-nation tour, which will also take him to Ghana, Nigeria, the Central African Republic (CAR), Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau. Mr. Pascoe will consult with the senior leadership of these countries and the 16-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) – the UN’s regional partner. Among the issues to be discussed will be the UN’s ongoing efforts to help consolidate peace and stability in the region, and ways to enhance the Organization’s support to local and regional efforts, according to the UN Department of Political Affairs. The UN political chief will also visit a number of the world body’s political missions in the area, including the UN Office for West Africa (UNOWA), the UN Peacebuilding Office for the CAR (BONUCA), the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office for Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL)
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