West Africa remains volatile despite significant strides in the reconstruction of nations following armed conflicts and in the strengthening of democracy and good governance around the region. The United Nations brings a regional dimension the the prevention and resolution of conflict in the region through the work of the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA), created in 2002 at the request of Member States, and overseen by the Department of Political Affairs.

UNOWA is currently headed by Said Djinnit, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for West Africa, and is the first such regional conflict prevention and peace-building office of the United Nations.  The office works closely with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other partners to develop programs that address  various challenges affecting peace and security in and between countries in the region, including  human rights and democratization; governance and rule of law; youth unemployment;  small arms proliferation, drug and human trafficking; security in border areas; the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants.