Chairperson, ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government (HOSG), President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has called on the Authority to come up with measures to address the political situation in The Gambia before Jan. 19.
Sirleaf, who made the call at the ongoing 50th Ordinary Session of the HOSG in Abuja on Saturday said that it was pertinent to address the issue to ensure smooth handover of power by the set date.
The ECOWAS chair also said that the mediation mission she led to The Gambia with some Heads of State on Dec. 13 was successful.
“On Dec. 13, an ECOWAS mission which I headed comprising Presidents John Mahama, Muhammadu Buhari and Ernest Bai Koroma, accompanied by Dr Mohamed Chambas, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to West Africa and the Sahal, proceeded to Banjul to mediate with the concerned parties toward a resolution that would respect the will of the people.
“The mission was successful in its consultative effort by holding meetings with the President, the President elect and all the other relevant stakeholders.
“It is now important that the Authority, at this summit, considers recommended measures to bring this matter to successful conclusion before Jan. 19, the constituted date when the mandate of the incumbent president expires,” she said.
She said that the progress in peace and security in the sub-region had been undermined by the political situation in The Gambia and Guinea Bissau.
Sirleaf also said that the summit had to come up with a decisive action to address political stalemate in Guinea Bissau in order to avoid further crisis that could lead to violence.
“With respect to Guinea Bissau, an ECOWAS Ministerial Delegation visited the country in Sept. 5, 2016 and held dialogue with the concerned stakeholders which resulted in a six-point consensus agenda aimed at restoring the democratic process.
“This was followed by a visit by the ECOWAS Mediator, President Alpha Conde and President Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone who endorsed the agenda.
“The mediator organised a follow up dialogue among all the stakeholders in Conakry Oct. 11 to Oct.14, which resulted in the signing of the Conakry Agreement by all of the stakeholders.
“However, the expectations for moving ahead for the implementing of the roadmap were not fulfilled.
“As will be discussed later, decisive action at this summit is required to bring the situation under control to prevent serious crisis that could lead to violence.”
She commended the peaceful elections and the management of the transition processes that had taken place in Benin, Niger, Cape Verde and Ghana.
The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, Mr Mohamed Ibn Chambas reiterated the concern of the international community on the political situation in Gambia.
“The UN shared the joy of many, witnessing the polls reflecting the will of the people; the concern we have is the unwholesome development during the post elections and the seizure of the electoral commission.
Chambas further reassured of the UN’s commitment to ensure “peaceful and orderly transfer of power in Jan. 19, 2017 expressing the will of the people”.
The UN representative commended the efforts made towards achieving peace and security in the sub-region and called on the West African leaders to address root causes to insecurity.
He also urged the leaders to ensure that basic sectors such as education and infrastructure were strengthened to promote sustainable development.
“Inequality and injustice must be dealt with; to tackle the root cause of insecurity, we should go beyond human assistance.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the summit is being attended by Heads of State of Togo, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Nigeria.
The Heads of State of Benin, Burkina Faso and the Gambia were represented by their Foreign Ministers while Cape Verde was represented by the Ambassador to Senegal.
The summit would consider the report of the 77th Ordinary Season of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers and the 37th session of the Mediation and Security Council.
The meeting would also consider the 2016 Annual Report of the President of the commission and discuss the sub-regions strategy for elections to African union positions. (NAN)