HEADS of State of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have vowed to join forces in order to stamp out terrorism within the sub-region.
According to them, democracy remains the only acceptable means to power.
ECOWAS Chairman, President Alassane Quattara of Cote d’Ivoire, disclosed the position of the regional body at its 43rd Ordinary Session in Abuja.
Quattara, who commended the role played by the international community in restoring law and order to Mali, said that such co-operation underscored the need for the member-states of ECOWAS to strengthen their democratic institutions and unite to end terrorism.
He explained that the support given by the international community, especially France, United States (U.S.), Britain and China towards the resolution of the Malian crisis was laudable but stressed that more co-operation was required, especially regarding Guinea Bissau which is being run by a transitional government after a military take-over.
He commended Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Blaise Campore (of Burkina Faso) for their outstanding roles in restoring peace to Mali and Guinea respectively.
The ECOWAS chairman noted that the recent terror attack in Niger Republic was a wake-up call to member-states to join forces in combating terrorism, a development which he said, had no place in the region or its socio-cultural history.
He remarked that there would be no going back on the November 24 date for Guinea’s election, just as he said that July 21 and 28 for Mali and Togo respectively remained irrevocable.
In his opening remarks, Jonathan commended the resilience of the Mali defence and security forces, those of France and AFISMA, now transformed into MINUSA (United Nations Integration Stabilisation Mission In Mali) for their professionalism in stamping out the rebel forces who over-ran the northern axis of the nation.
He called on the international community to help Mali to ensure that the July 28 election date becomes a reality, just as he said that $25milion was needed to provide critical logistical infrastructure for the troubled country.
“I wish to use this opportunity to appeal to the international community to intensify assistance to bridge the financial gap of $25 million for the provision of critical logistical support, in particular air assets, deployment of as many international and national observers as possible for the July 28 2013”, he said.
According to Jonathan, although the regional body does not believe in any group of people coming to power through a coup, the situation in Guinea Bissau requires understanding to resolve the challenges besetting the country.
ECOWAS Commission President Kadre Desire Quedraogo also stressed the need to expand the level of participation in Guinea Bissau’s transitional government, saying that without that, the peace in that country might not last. He said there was also the need to lift sanction placed on the country to enable it get set for proper transition of power to a democratically-elected government on November 24.
