Madam President, distinguished Members of the Security Council,Thank you for giving me the opportunity to address the Council. Although the reconfiguration of the Joint Force has resulted in the cessation of major military operations since January, G5 Sahel member States seem determined to strengthen intra-regional cooperation, including by establishing bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms with the Malian Armed Forces in the fight against terrorism, as demonstrated by the recent strengthening of bilateral military cooperation between Mali and Burkina Faso, and Mali and Niger. The devastating effects of the continuing destabilization of the Sahel would be felt far beyond the region and the African continent