*Ready to deploy standby force, ease Niger Republic sanctions
*Lauds Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia for peaceful elections
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called for unity and enforcement of protocols that promote cohesion in the region.
Dr Omar Touray, ECOWAS Commission President, stated this while reading the communiqué at the end of the 64th Session of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government on Sunday in Abuja.
He urged that member states should continue to promote all alliances that would guarantee regional peace and stability in order to enhance socio-economic development.
‘Touray said, ’The authority rejects all forms of alliances that seek to divide the region and promote foreign interests in the region. The authority calls on member states to ensure regional unity of action by strictly adhering to collective decisions taken at the level of the authority.’’
On the political situation in the Republic of Niger, Touray said that the commission commended the efforts of the Chair of authority, President Bola Tinubu, towards a peaceful resolution of the political crisis.
‘’The authority deeply deplores the continued detention of President Mohammed Bazoum, his family and Associates by the CMSP administration.
‘’The authority further deplores the lack of commitment on the part of the CMSP to restore constitutional order.
‘’Consequently, the authority calls on the CMSP to release President Mohammed Bazoum, his family and Associates immediately and without condition.’’
He said that a three-man committee has been approved by the ECOWAS to dialogue further with the Niger military towards finding an acceptable short time transition roadmap.
He said that the outcome of the committee would determine the easing of the various sanctions imposed on the Niger Republic by ECOWAS Heads during their last meeting in Nigeria.
Touray said, ‘’Based on the outcomes of the engagement by the committee of heads of state, the authority will progressively ease the sanctions imposed on it.
‘’Failure by the CMSP to comply with the outcomes of the engagement with the committee, ECOWAS shall maintain all sanctions, including the use of force.
‘’And we will request African Union and all other partners to enforce the targeted sanctions on members of the CMSP and their associate.’’
Touray said that the authority took note of the meeting of the presidential Troika to reflect on the political stability and security in the regions including the transition process in Burkina Faso.
‘He added, ’The authority welcomes the successful national referendum in Mali and commended the transition authorities for the efforts they have deployed.
‘’However, the authority notes with concern the transition authorities’ reluctance to cooperate with ECOWAS, in the implementation of transition programmes, and other activities of interest to the region.
‘’The authority deplores the unilateral decisions taken on the implementation of the transitional programmes agreed with ECOWAS.
‘’It request the Troika under the leadership of His Excellency, President of the Republic of Benin, to urgently undertake visits to Burkina Faso, Republic of Guinea and Mali, with a view to engaging the three countries in inclusive implementation of the transition programme.’’
The ECOWAS Commission President explained that the authority directs the commission to continue to support member states in transition in addressing security challenges and provide them with humanitarian assistance.
He said that the authority directed member states to exempt the transition presidents, prime ministers and foreign ministers of the member states in transition from the travel ban and other targeted individual sanctions imposed on the three member states.
STANDBY FORCE
ECOWAS leaders have resolved to urgently review efforts to activate a standby force for counterterrorism operations in areas infested by terrorist groups in the region.
This is contained in a communiqué read by Dr Omar Touray, President of ECOWAS Commission at the end of the 64th ordinary session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, on Sunday in Abuja.
The leaders reiterated their commitment to the eradication of terrorism and other threats to peace, security, and stability in the region.
They also resolved to hold an extraordinary summit on unconstitutional changes of government aimed at promoting peace, security, and democracy in the region.
The ECOWAS leaders directed the commission to embark on deep reflection and explore the possibility of convening the extraordinary summit.
The ECOWAS, chaired by President Bola Tinubu, also established a committee of Heads of State to engage with CMSP, the military junta in Niger Republic, on the need for a short transition roadmap and the emplacement of monitoring mechanisms.
Members of the Committee are the Heads of States of Togo, Sierra Leone and Benin.
They are to engage with the coup leaders and other stakeholders to agree on a short transition roadmap, establishment of transition organs, and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms towards the speedy restoration of constitutional order.
“Based on the outcomes of the engagement by the committee of Heads of state with the CMSP, the Authority will progressively ease the sanctions imposed on Niger.
“In the event of failure by the CMSP to comply with the outcomes of the engagement with the committee, ECOWAS shall maintain all sanctions, including the use of force.
“And shall request the African Union and all other partners to enforce the targeted sanctions on members of the CMSP and their associates.”
The bloc emphasized the need for the immediate and unconditional release of detained Niger President, Mohammed Bazoum.
“The Authority deeply deplores the continued detention of President Mohammed Bazoum, his family and associates by the CMSP regime.
“The Authority further deplores the lack of commitment on the part of the CMSP to restore constitutional order.
“Consequently, the Authority calls on the CMSP to release President Mohammed Bazoum, his family, and associates immediately and without precondition.”
The meeting chaired by Tinubu, commended the efforts being made by member states and the ECOWAS commission to work on the consolidation of democracy, peace, security, and stability in the region.
The Authority noted, in particular, the peaceful elections that took place during the year in Nigeria, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.
They welcomed the peaceful resolution of the electoral dispute in Nigeria, as well as the peaceful outcome of the dialogue between the opposition and the government in the Republic of Sierra Leone.
On the fight against terrorism and other related security matters, the leaders instructed the commission to convene a meeting of ministers of finance and defence in the region.
The meeting will agree on modalities for the mobilisation of internal financial, human, and material resources on a mandatory basis, to support the deployment of a regional counterterrorism force.
“The Authority takes note of the commencement of assignment by the Special Envoy on Counterterrorism, Ambassador Baba Kamara, and directs the commission to facilitate his mission.”
The ECOWAS leaders also directed the commission to intensify collaboration with sub-regional counterterrorism initiatives such as the Accra initiative and MTJN.
The meeting urged member states to increase funding for joint maritime operations and exercises, and improve coordination and collaboration among various ministries, departments, and agencies responsible for maritime security.
The meeting implored Gambian government and stakeholders to expedite the adoption of the new constitution ahead of the 2026 general elections.
They also called for the implementation of the white paper on the recommendations of the Truth, Reparation and Reconciliation Commission in Gambia.
The leaders extended the mandate of the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia by one year and instructed it to continue to support the country in the implementation of the white paper and reforms of the defence and security sector.
On Guinea Bissau, the leaders strongly condemned the violence that erupted in Bissau on Dec. 1, and attempts to disrupt constitutional order and rule of law in the country.
Commending the action of the loyal members of the security forces of Guinea Bissau, the ECOWAS leaders expressed solidarity with the people and the constitutional authority of the country.
The meeting extended the ECOWAS stabilisation support mission in Guinea Bissau, and instructed the commission to take steps to review the mandate of the mission.
Condemning the attempted coup in Sierra Leone on Nov. 26, the leaders expressed sadness over the loss of lives and destruction of property and called for a thorough and transparent investigation to identify and bring the perpetrators to justice.
They applauded the signing of the agreement for national unity resulting from mediated dialogue between the government and the opposition party in Sierra Leone.
The meeting called on all parties and stakeholders to implement the agreement in good faith within the specified timeframe.
The ECOWAS leaders directed the commission to continue supporting Sierra Leone and facilitate the deployment of an ECOWAS standby security mission for stabilisation.
On Senegal, the Authority of Heads of State and government took note of preparations for the Feb. 25, 2024 presidential election in the country, while urging inclusivity and transparency in the electoral process.
They called on the Senegalese government and stakeholders to adhere strictly to constitutional norms, ECOWAS protocols, and the rule of law in managing all electoral processes.
PEACEFUL ELECTIONS
ECOWAS has commended the peaceful resolution of the disputes of the February general elections in Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia.
This is contained in a communiqué read by Dr Omar Touray, ECOWAS Commission President, at the end of the 64th session of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government on Sunday in Abuja.
‘’The authority welcomes the peaceful resolution of the electoral dispute in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the peaceful outcome of the dialogue between the opposition and the government in the Republic of Sierra Leone.
He said, ’Authority commends the efforts being made by member states and the ECOWAS commission towards the consolidation of democracy, peace, security and stability in the region.
‘’The authority notes in particular the peaceful elections that took place during the year in Nigeria, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone and Liberia.’’
Touray said the authority also saluted the electoral process that led to a peaceful transition in Liberia and commended the acceptance of the result by President Goerge Weah.
‘He said, ’The authority encourages the leaders and citizens of Liberia to continue to promote social cohesion. It urges the commission to accompany Liberia in these efforts.
Touray added that the authority notes with deep regret the continued challenge of insecurity and instability in the region, which has brought about terrorism, violent extremism and unconstitutional change of government.
‘He added, ’The authority reaffirms its commitment to the promotion of peace, democracy and good governance and urges member states to uphold the tenets of the ECOWAS protocols.
”This is relating to the mechanism for conflict prevention, management, resolution, peacekeeping and security as well as the Supplementary Protocol on democracy and good governance.”
Touray said that the authority directed the commission to dialogue with stakeholders on the relationship between electoral processes, democracy and development.
It also directed the commission to make actionable recommendations on increasing the transparency and credibility of elections and the promotion of inclusive development and accountable governance.
‘He added, ’The authority further instructs the commission to intensify consultation with member states in order to finalize and present for adoption, the draft revise Supplementary Protocol on democracy and good governance.
‘’The authority directs the commission to embark on deep reflection. Explore the power and possibility of an extra ordinary summit on unconstitutional change of government.’’
Touray said that the heads of state and government also directed the extension of the mandate of the ECOWAS mission in the Gambia for one year and for support in the implementation of the white paper on the crisis in that country.
‘’On the Gambia, the authority urges the government and stakeholders to expedite the adoption of the new constitution ahead of the 2026 general elections.’’
He said that the authority takes note of the preparations towards the Feb. 25, 2024 presidential election in Senegal and urged the government and stakeholders to continue to prioritize inclusivity and transparency.
‘Touray said, ’The authority urges all stakeholders to ensure strict adherence to constitutional norms, ECOWAS protocols and the rule of law in the management of the electoral processes and other related matters to further strengthen the country’s democratic culture.’’
On Guinea Bissau, Touray said that the authorities condemned the violence that erupted Dec. 1.
He said, ‘’The authority commended the action of the loyal members of the security forces of Guinea Bissau and expresses its full solidarity with the people and the constitutional authority of Guinea Bissau.
‘’The authority therefore calls for the full respect of the national constitution and a transparent investigation into the various events in accordance with the law and with a view to ensuring the quick restoration of all national institutions.
‘’The authority directs the commission to support Guinea Bissau in the consolidation of democracy, peace and stability, including through the completion of the on-going review of the Constitution and the urgent defence and security sector reform.’
