Africa
By Benprince Ezeh
THE Council of the Wise, CoW, of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has expressed deep concern over the resurgence of coup d’état in the region, saying that it would disrupt peace, security and stability of the region.
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, former President of Nigeria and Chairman of CoW, told journalists at the end of the two-day Strategic Retreat and Planning Workshop of Council Members from 21-22 February 2022 in Lagos that the “Resurgent of coup d’état in the region weakens the institutions, economic and social challenges brewing unemployment and underemployment among the young population of the region and its impact on peace, security, stability as well as affects non-consensual constitutional reform processes in some member state of the region.
“Council members are concerned about the narrowing of the civic space for dialogue on national issues in some member states, including non-inclusive electoral and political participation and consequently called on political leaders and stakeholders to institutionalize participatory and people-oriented governance processes in the overall interest of peace, security, and stability.
“We deliberated on and adopted Strategic Action Plans to proactively respond to the identified socio-political, governance and security challenges confronting the region and decried the poor educational systems in the region and its linkage to the current instability confronting the region.”
According to him, the resolutions of the Council include the need for more advocacy for better funding for education, economic and industrial rejuvenation for the region to curb growing unemployment and the related malaise, mainstream peace education and strengthening conflict prevention structures.
In this regard, the Council called for the recapitalization of regional development structures such as the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development.
“CoW expresses deep gratitude to ECOWAS Commission and its partners for the technical, logistic and operational support rendered for the successful organization of the Retreat and Planning Workshop,” he said.
The Council also expressed appreciation to the Government and good people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, especially Lagos state, for the hospitality and serene environment under which the meeting was held.
First published – Feb. 23, 2022 @ 12:49 GMT |
C.E
Tags: CoW ECOWAS Goodluck Ebele Jonathan
