The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has in a Press Statement dated Monday11th December 2023, directed the commission to facilitate the deployment of an ECOWAS standby Aqua security mission (ECOWAS standby force) to Sierra Leone to help stabilize the country’s insecurity.
The subregional body took the stand on Sunday at the end of the 64th Ordinary session of the Authority of the Heads of States and Government of ECOWAS held in Abuja.
According to the communique presented at the end of the meeting, the Authority said it “rejected all forms of alliances that seek to divide the region and promote foreign interests in the region” but called on “member states to ensure regional unity of action by strictly adhering to collective decisions taken at the level of the authority. This is part of the community of the session of excellencies the heads of state and government of the UK was authority.”
Concerning democracy and good governance, the authority directed the ECOWAS Commission to undertake deep reflection with stakeholders on the relationship between electoral processes, democracy and development and make actionable recommendations on increasing the transparency and credibility of elections and promoting inclusive development and accountable governance.
Regarding the situation in Niger Republic, the ECOWAS leaders agreed to set up a committee of state made up of the President and head of state of the Republic of Togo, the President and the head of state of the Republic of Sierra Leone, the President and head of state of the Republic of Benin, to engage with CNSP and other stakeholders to agree on a short transition roadmap, establishing a transition.
The authority further expressed deep concerns as it decried the continued detention of President Mohammed Baozum, his family, and Associates by the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) administration.
While deploring the lack of commitment on the part of the CNSP to restore constitutional order, consequently, the authority called on the body to release President Mohammed Baozom, his family, and Associates immediately and without condition.
They also firmly instructed the commission to intensify consultation with member states to finalize and present for adoption the draft revised Supplementary Protocol on democracy and good governance.
ECOWAS leaders also directed the commission to embark on deep reflection and explore the power and the possibility of an extraordinary summit on unconstitutional change of government.
On the Gambia, the authority urges the government and stakeholders to expedite the adoption of the new constitution ahead of the 2026 general elections, as well as the implementation of the white paper on the recommendation of the Truth, reparation, and Reconciliation Commission.
It also decided to extend the mandate of the ECOWAS mission in the Gambia economy for one year. It instructed the mission to continue to support the Gambia in the implementation of the white paper needed for defense and security sector reforms, just as it condemned the violence that erupted in Bissau on the first of December 2023, which attempted to disrupt the constitutional order and the rule of law in Guinea Bissau.
The Authority instructed the ECOWAS Commission to continue to support Sierra Leone. It directed the commission to facilitate the deployment of an ECOWAS standby Aqua security mission ( ECOWAS standby force) to Sierra Leone to help stabilize this country.
“In Senegal, the authority takes note of the preparations towards the 25th February 2024 presidential election and urged the government and stakeholders in the electoral process to continue to prioritize inclusivity and transparency toward a conducive election.
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