ECOWAS to Int’l Community: Support sanctions against Guinea, Mali
ECOWAS leaders have called on the international community to support the sanctions imposed on Guinea and Mali so as to promote peace, security, and stability in the region.
The West African leaders made the call in their communiqué at the end of the 60th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, held in Abuja on Sunday.
The authority also reaffirmed its commitment to the promotion of peace, security, and democracy in the region as a prerequisite for economic integration and development.
It reiterated strong concerns over the transition processes in Guinea and Mali, noting the absence of clear indicators leading to the restoration of constitutional order in conformity with the authority’s decision.
It, however, welcomed the recent decision of the transition authorities in Guinea to allow former President Alpha Condé to return home.
On Mali, the authority noted the official communication of December 9 from Malian authorities that the timetable for elections would be transmitted on January 31, 2022.
On the security situation in the sub-region, the authority expressed concern over the deterioration of security in the Sahel, describing it as being characterised by recurring terrorist attacks in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria, as well as the expansion of attacks into coastal countries.
It therefore reaffirmed its determination to relentlessly combat terrorism.
“To that effect, the authority welcomes the recent conduct by some member states of joint operations along borders of front-line countries and directed the commission to provide support for the planning and conduct of such operations within the framework of the implementation of the 2020–2024 plan of action to eradicate terrorism in the region.”
On the creation of a monetary union, the authority noted the status of macroeconomic convergence within ECOWAS in the first half of 2021.
The authority also welcomed the reopening of land borders in ECOWAS for the free movement of persons.
The summit welcomed the ECOWAS Regional Public Private Partnership (PPP), which would provide a platform to raise alternative and innovative financing for regional projects.
It also noted a harmonised regional road safety policy, an action plan, a monitoring and evaluation framework, and a regional road safety charter to guide coordinated improvement of safety in the ECOWAS region.
The summit adopted the ECOWAS Vision 2050 as well as the participatory process that guided its development.
The vision aims at creating “a community of people fully integrated in a peaceful, prosperous region with strong institutions that respect fundamental freedoms and work for inclusive and sustainable development.”
