By Alpha Abu
Leaders of the regional bloc ECOWAS at their 59th ordinary session in the Ghanaian capital Accra, have addressed issues related to peace, security and democracy in West Africa, all of which they believe are “prerequisites for the economic integration and development of the region”. In a communiqué released on 19 June 2021 at the end of the meeting by the Authority of Heads of State and Government, concerns were expressed over the political crisis in Mali and the attendant security challenges in the country.
Recognition was given to the report presented by former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan who is the mediator to Mali and ECOWAS Special Envoy to the country and for strict adherence by the authorities in Bamako to the electoral timetable for the Presidential election in February 2022. Emphasis was placed on the strict monitoring of the process with the President of the Commission instructed to ensure smooth implementation of the exercise.
The presidential elections in Niger and Benin and the legislative elections in Cote d’Ivoire and Cabo Verde were duly welcomed by the West African heads of state. Re-elected Presidents Patrice Talon and Mohamed Bazoum of Benin and Niger respectively were congratulated by the other leaders who also asked that the President of the Commission makes available the necessary support to the governments of Cabo Verde and the Gambia in their upcoming presidential elections.
The heads of state reaffirmed their determination to relentlessly combat the threats to security by acts of terrorism in countries like Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. An appeal was also made for member states to pay their contributions to the Fund dedicated for “implementation of 2020-2024 Action Plan for the eradication of terrorism in the region’’.
The situation in the North African country of Libya also came under scrutiny especially the instability there brought about by the hiring of mercenaries fighting alongside the various warring parties. The ECOWAS Heads of State called “for a concerted international action aiming at urgently resolving this issue, involving the disarmament of the mercenary groups”.
It was also recommended that there be coordination amongst “security, defence, and intelligence agencies across ECOWAS region in order to facilitate swift and appropriate responses to existing and emerging threats. To this effect, the Authority endorses the establishment of a permanent Forum of West African National Security Advisers and directs the President of the Commission to ensure effective functioning and proper coordination and complementarity with the existing ECOWAS defence and security committees”. The President of Ghana Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo is the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS.
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