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
GIK/APA