Africa
THE conference of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, held an extraordinary session on February 9, 2020 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, under the chairmanship of Issoufou Mahamadou, President of the Republic of Niger and Chair of the Authority.
The Authority took note of the report presented by the President of the ECOWAS Commission on the political situation in Guinea Bissau since the presidential election on 29th December 2019.
The Authority noted the conclusions of the Ministerial Committee mission of 30th January 2020. The Authority welcomed the peaceful organization of the first round of the presidential election in Guinea-Bissau on 24th November 2019 and the second round on 29th December 2019, under conditions deemed fair and transparent by the ECOWAS electoral mission and by all the international missions that observed the process.
The Authority congratulated the Bissau-Guinean people for their active participation in these consultations, which thus brings to an end the electoral cycle established by the Bissau-Guinean Authorities, after the legislative elections of 10th March 2019.
The Authority welcomed the professionalism exhibited by the ECOMIB forces in securing the elections, while encouraging the Defence and Security Forces of Guinea Bissau to continue to maintain their neutrality in this political crisis.
The Heads of State and Government noted that, following the announcement of the results by the National Electoral Commission, NEC,, appeals were lodged with the Supreme Court, which, after examination, asked the National Electoral Commission to commence with a verification procedure of the national consolidation of data by the Regional Commissions under the aegis of ECOWAS.
The Authority took note that these assignments were accomplished by the National Electoral Commission, that confirmed the results communicated on 17th January 2020, and therefore transmitted its Report to the Supreme Court.
The Authority welcomed the implementation of the said recommendations by the National Electoral Commission and invites the Supreme Court, the judicial body competent in electoral disputes in Guinea Bissau, to play its role fully in accordance with the constitutional provisions and electoral law of Guinea-Bissau and to finalize its work by 15th February 2020 in order to allow political and institutional normalization in the country.
The Authority invites the National Electoral Commission and the Supreme Court to collaborate constructively in order to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process, which is the condition and the guarantee for peace and stability in the country.
The Authority reiterates its commitment to continue to accompany the authorities and the people of Guinea-Bissau in their efforts to consolidate democracy and to promote peace and stability, which is essential to the implementation of the socio-economic development priorities and for the prosperity of Guinea-Bissau.
On the Single Currency Programme, the Authority was informed by H.E Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, and Chair of the Authority of the Heads of State of UEMOA, on the reforms of the CFA Franc.
Thee reforms are a step towards achieving the establishment of the ECO as provided for in the Road Map adopted by the Authority of Heads of State of ECOWAS.
The Authority expressed satisfaction with these important developments initiated by the UEMOA as well as the insights provided by the Chair of the Authority of Heads of State of UEMOA on this issue.
On the closure of the borders between Nigeria and Benin and between Nigeria and Niger, the Authority was briefed on the situation regarding the closure of the borders between Nigeria and Benin and between Nigeria and Niger since 20th August 2019. The Authority expressed great concern over the persistence of this closure, which continues to affect regional trade.
The Authority was informed on the progress of work undertaken at the level of the Tripartite Committee (Benin, Niger, Nigeria) and on the next meeting of the Group of six (6) countries’ scheduled to hold in Ouagadougou on 15th February 2020, under the chairmanship of H.E. Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, President of the Faso, Champion of the Free Movement.
The Authority encourages the various parties to work towards a rapid normalization of this situation for the benefit of all the parties and ECOWAS.
Present at the Summit, were the under-listed ECOWAS Heads of State or their duly mandated representatives:
H.E Roch Marc Christian Kabore, President of Burkina Faso;
H.E. Jorge Carlos Fonseca, President of Cabo Verde;
H.E Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire;
H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana;
H.E. Alpha Condé, President of the Republic of Guinea;
H.E Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria;
H.E Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal;
H.E Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone;
HE, Isatou Touray, Vice-President of The Gambia;
H.E. Aristides Gomes, Prime Minister of the Republic of Guinea Bissau;
Mr. Aurelien Agbenonci, Minister of Foreign Affairs and African Integration of the Republic of Benin;
Mr. Tiebile Drame, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Mali;
Prof. Robert Dussey, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Togolese Abroad of the Togolese Republic.
The session was also attended by H.E. Jean-Claude Kassi BROU, President of the ECOWAS Commission.
– Feb. 12, 2020 @ 11:59 GMT |
Tags: Communique of Summit of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Ethiopia
