Ten countries included by the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel (UNISS) are included in this system-wide review, which evaluates UN cross-pillar coordination in the Sahel between 2013 and 2025. It looks at coordination between human rights, humanitarian efforts, sustainable development, and peace and security at the national, regional, and headquarters levels using a mixed-method approach. The results show that while cross-pillar cooperation continued to be relevant and produced value through joint analysis, cross-border peacebuilding, and flagship programs, its efficacy was limited by ambiguous roles, poor accountability, inadequate funding, and a lack of institutional ownership. Instead of long-term institutional frameworks, coordination often relied on human leadership and voluntary participation. To enhance integrated and cross-border delivery throughout the Sahel, the assessment suggests more nationally owned, results-oriented, and adaptable strategies, stronger coordination headed by resident coordinators, more transparent accountability procedures, increased external collaborations, and sustainable pooled finance.
Evaluation of United Nations system coordination in the Sahel (2013-2025) – Evaluation report