ECOWAS Leaders reaffirm firm political will to boost regional integration process

Thu, Dec 8, 2022
By editor
8 MIN READ

Africa

THE Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS have reaffirmed their firm political will to further boost the regional integration process by pooling their efforts towards the socio-economic development of West Africa in an environment of peace and security, and good governance.

According to the final communique issued in Abuja, Nigeria after the 62nd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS held on 4 December 2022, the ECOWAS Leaders noted the economic situation of the Community characterized like other regions of the world by a slowdown in growth and rising inflationary pressures due mainly to ripples of the covID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and developments in China and urged Member States to persevere in their efforts to build more resilient economies, particularly by pursuing structural reforms and ensuring diversification of economies.

They commended the President of the ECOWAS Commission for developing the four-pillar Strategic Objectives as a blueprint for strengthening ECOWAS Institutions and directs the Commission to strategise and mobilise the needed resources to finance key priority projects.

On the Single Currency, the Authority took note of the conclusions of the meeting of the Ministerial Committee on the Single Currency Programme of ECOWAS and commended it for the efforts deployed in the search for a consensus on the definition of “majority” within the framework of the Convergence and Macroeconomic Stability Pact among ECOWAS Member States.

They instructed the Ministerial Committee to pursue the search for consensual solutions on all outstanding issues with a view to creating harmonious conditions for the launching of the ECO.

On the Common External Tariff, the Authority noted with satisfaction the activities undertaken by the Commission and Member States towards the creation of a common market in West Africa and adopted the draft Regulation extending the period of implementation of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protection Measures of the Common External Tariff for another five years.

On peace, security and democracy, they reaffirmed their commitment to the promotion of peace, security and stability in the region as prerequisites for the economic development and integration of the region.

The Heads of State and Government reaffirmed the inextricable link between the consolidation of peace and security and the harmonious economic development of the region and reiterated their commitment to the promotion and defence of the principles of democracy, good governance, peace and security as contained in the relevant ECOWAS texts.

On combating terrorism the ECOWAS Leaders expressed grave concern about the worsening regional security situation due to the recurrence and expansion of terrorist attacks and their humanitarian consequences. In particular, it expresses deep concern over the security situation in Burkina Faso and its possible consequences on the coastal countries and thus calls for urgent measures to support Burkina Faso in its efforts to counter terrorist attacks in the country.

The Authority underscored the urgent need to accelerate the implementation of the ECOWAS 2020-2024 Priority Action Plan to eradicate terrorism, through improved resource mobilisation and strengthening of the region’s operational and logistical capacities to effectively combat the scourge.

They reiterated their commitment to the effective implementation of the ECOWAS 2020-2024 Priority Action Plan, as adopted at their 56th Ordinary Session held in Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria on 21 December 2019. To this end, they undertake to urgently pay their contributions of one (1) billion US dollars to the regional counter-terrorism fund established for this purpose

The Authority further emphasised the urgent need for more effective coordination and structured harmonisation of the different counter-terrorism initiatives in the region, under the leadership of the ECOWAS Commission, to create more synergies and pool available resources.

They Authority instructed the Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff to urgently study and propose the options, modalities and financial and technical means for the urgent operationalization of the ECOWAS Standby Force, including a special kinetic operation to combat terrorism

The ECOWAS Leaders also instructed the President of the Commission to take appropriate measures to ensure effective political and operational coordination among the different regional counter-terrorism initiatives to strengthen the fight against terrorism and engage civil society and the private sector for the mobilisation of additional resources through awareness programmes and advocacy to combat terrorism in the ECOWAS region

They also reaffirmed their strong condemnation of unconstitutional changes of government and underscores the urgent need for collective action to entrench democracy and promote stability in the region.

The Authority mandated the President of the Commission to take the necessary measures to support the two designated ECOWAS Champions, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana and H.E. Mahamadou Issoufou, former President of the Republic of Niger, in their efforts to mobilise resources, including own resources, for the implementation of the Action Plan.

The Authority also reaffirmed its determination to scrupulously enforce the principle of ‘Zero tolerance for power obtained or maintained by unconstitutional means’ and to apply without exception the severest of sanctions for non-compliance.

“To this end, in accordance with the instructions issued at its 61″ Ordinary Session held in Accra, Republic of Ghana on 3 July 2022, the Authority directs the President of the Commission to continue discussions with Member States and if need be, with other stakeholders, with a view to reaching consensus on outstanding issues, to finalise the revision of the 2001 Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance,” the communique said.

The Authority further directed the President of the Commission to submit the draft revised Supplementary Protocol at its next session, while it decided to set up a regional force whose mandate will include the restoration of constitutional order where they are threatened in the sub-region.

On the Humanitarian Situation in the Region, The ECOWAS Leaders expressed deep concern at the worsening humanitarian situation in the region due to terrorism, climate change, deficits in agricultural production and the war in Ukraine and instructed the Commission to strengthen the response to address the humanitarian crisis, particularly among vulnerable populations and their host communities.

The Authority also instructed the Commission to work with partners to address the existing challenges and limitations to humanitarian access in conflict situations and enhance the climate resilience agenda to address the severe flooding in the region due to climate change.

On the transition processes in the region, The Authority was briefed by the ECOWAS Mediators on the transition processes in Burkina Faso, Guinea and Mali and the leaders took note of the recommendations made by the mediators.

On Burkina Faso, the Authority took note of the commitment of the new transition authorities to respect the 24-month transition timetable already agreed upon with ECOWAS, leading up to elections in July 2024, in an improved security climate and also welcomed the commitment of all the stakeholders in Burkina Faso to support the transition process.

They welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Burkina Faso and ECOWAS on the establishment of the Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanism of the 24-month transition timetable in the country and encourage the authorities to work with the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanism and ECOWAS for a successful transition.

On the humanitarian crisis, the Authority expressed deep concern over the increasingly fragile humanitarian situation and urged member states of ECOWAS, the African Union and the international community to support Burkina Faso to address the security challenges facing the country.

On Guinea, the Authority welcomed the consolidated 24-month transition timetable covering the 10 priority issues for the transition authorities, jointly developed with ECOWAS experts and insisted that the implementation of the 24-month transition timetable should start immediately, and not at a later date.

The Authority urged the Guinean authorities to conduct a national dialogue that includes all political actors without exception, and to guarantee the security and freedom of all participants.

On Mali, the Authority noted with satisfaction that the transition process is on course and that the transition authorities have made progress with the establishment of a Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanism of the transition timetable comprising the government, ECOWAS, AU, UN, the ECOWAS Mediator, a Steering Committee and a Technical Committee.

The Heads of State and Government instructed the ECOWAS Commission to support the Malian authorities, together with the AU and the UN, to convene a meeting with financial and technical partners to mobilise the requisite resources to address the socio-political and security challenges to ensure that the 2024 transition deadline is met.

The Authority recalled and commended the various diplomatic efforts deployed by ECOWAS and individual member states as well as the United Nations in order to secure the release of the 46 Ivoirian Soldiers detained in Mali and called on the Malian Authorities to respond positively to the various calls for the release of the soldiers.

On Peace Support Operations in the Region, The Authority welcomed the contribution of the Peace Support Missions deployed by ECOWAS, particularly the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG) and the Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea Bissau (SSMGB) and decided to extend the mandate of ECOMIG for a further year from 1″ January 2023 and instructed the Commission to consider, within that period, a gradual downsizing of the Mission and commence the training and reorientation of The Gambia Defence and Security Forces to enable them to play their constitutionally assigned roles in a democratic dispensation.

The Authority urged the Gambian Government to diligently implement the Security Sector Reforms (SSR) and instructs the Commission to ensure that the ECOMIG Force composition reflects a balanced regional outlook comprising troops from the ECOWAs Member States beyond the current countries participating in the Mission.

A.

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