Collective, Decisive Action Required To Address ECOWAS Instability– President Akufo-Addo
President Akufo-Addo has called on his colleague West African heads of state to as a matter of urgency, find ways to deal collectively and decisively with the re-emergence of military coups in the sub-region before the developing trend devastates the entire region.
Addressing the opening session of an extraordinary summit of the authority of heads of state of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) on the political situation in Burkina Faso, at the Kempenski hotel, gold coast city, today 3 February 2022, chair of the Commission, President Akufo-Addo, said the emerging threats of coups in the ECOWAS sub-region ought to be “addressed jointly and authoritatively before it gets out of hand.
Ahead of yesterday’s summit, President Akufo-Addo at the virtual ECOWAS summit held on 28 January 2022, bemoaned recent military takeovers in three West African states, namely; Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso, stating that the coup d’états, ongoing jihadists activities in the sub-region and the COVID-19 pandemic has made the region a toxic one.
“Let us address this dangerous trend collectively and decisively before it devastates the whole region. Excellencies, the resurgence of coup d’états in our region is a matter of grave concern” President Akufo-Addo said in his opening remarks.
“This evolution challenges the democratic way of life we have chosen. We need to stand firm to protect democracy and freedom in our region” the President added.
Burkina Faso
In a communique issued after the summit, the authority of heads of state, on the situation in Burkina Faso, “took note of the deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation in the country” and called for a “quick return to constitutional order” to deal effectively with political situation.
“The Authority reiterates its absolute condemnation of the coup d’Etat of 24 January 2022 and expresses concern over the continuous detention of President Roch Marc Christian KABORE. In this regard, and subject to sanctions, the Authority demands the unconditional release of President Roch Marc Christian Kabore” the communique stated.
Furthermore, ECOWAS heads of state upheld “the suspension of Burkina Faso from all ECOWAS Institutions until the restoration of constitutional order. They also called on the “military authorities to establish the transition institutions, adopt a transition calendar and facilitate the return to constitutional order as soon as possible”.
Guinea Situation
On the political situation in the Republic of Guinea, the Authority indicated in the communique that it “takes note of the recent establishment of the National Transition Council (CNT), as the legislative body”.
“However, the Authority expressed “concern over the unavailability of the required transition calendar five months after the coup d’Etat, as requested by the Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Government held on 16 September 2021”.
Consequently, the Authority decided “to uphold all the sanctions already imposed on Guinea” and requested of the “Transition Authority” to “provide to ECOWAS an acceptable timetable for restoring constitutional order” while reaffirming “its (The Authority) readiness to accompany Guinea towards the speedy return to constitutional order”.
Developments in Mali
The Authority welcomes the conclusions of the 1057th meeting of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union held on 14th January 2022 which endorsed all ECOWAS decisions and sanctions on Mali.
According to the communique, “the Authority regrets the unavailability of a new timetable in line with the decisions of the Authority” and consequently, it decided to “uphold all the sanctions imposed on Mali in line with its decision of 9 January 2022”.
They also urged “the Malian authorities to urgently propose an acceptable electoral timetable to ECOWAS with a view to enabling the progressive lifting of the sanctions”.