The Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has resolved to uphold the suspension of Burkina Faso from all ECOWAS institutions until the restoration of constitutional order.
The communique issued after the Extraordinary Summit in Accra, Ghana on Thursday, February 3, 2022, the ECOWAS leaders called on the military authorities in Burkina Faso to establish the transition institutions, adopt a transition calendar and facilitate the return to constitutional order within the shortest time.
They instructed the ECOWAS Commission to ensure continuous engagement with the new authorities through the establishment of a monitoring mechanism, including African Union and United Nations, with a view to accompanying the transition process.
On the political situation in the Republic of Guinea, The Authority took note of the recent establishment of the National Transition Council (CNT), as the legislative body and 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 16th September 2021.
“Consequently, the Authority decides to: a. Uphold all the sanctions already imposed on Guinea. b. Request the Transition Authority to provide to ECOWAS an acceptable timetable for restoring constitutional order.
“Reaffirm its readiness to accompany Guinea towards the return to constitutional order within the shortest time,” the communique said.
On the political situation in the Republic of Mali, The Authority welcomed the conclusions of the 1057th meeting of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union held on 14th January 2022 endorsing all the ECOWAS decisions and sanctions on Mali.
“The Authority regrets the unavailability of a new timetable in line with the decisions of the Authority.
“Consequently, the Authority decides to: a) Uphold all the sanctions imposed on Mali in line with its decision of 9 January 2022. b) Urge the Malian authorities to urgently propose an acceptable electoral timetable to ECOWAS with a view to enabling the progressive lifting of the sanctions. c) Remain seized of the situation in Mali.
“Furthermore, ECOWAS reaffirms its readiness to work in conjunction with the African Union and the United Nations to provide the necessary technical support to the authorities in Burkina Faso, Guinea and Mali in implementing the approved timetables,” the communique said.
The ECOWAS Leaders also considered the Memoranda on the political situations in Mali and Guinea presented by H.E. Jean-Claude Kassi BROU, President of the ECOWAS Commission. The Authority commended the quality of the reports and memoranda and took note of the recommendations contained therein.
The communique noted that The Authority was briefed by Suzi Carla BARBOSA, Senior Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and the Diaspora of Guinea Bissau on the circumstances surrounding the attempted coup d’Etat in Guinea Bissau on 1st February 2022.
“The Authority firmly condemned the attempted coup d’Etat in Guinea Bissau and expressed solidarity with President Umaro Sissoco EMBALO and the people of Guinea Bissau. In view of these recent developments, the Authority decides to deploy a force with a view to supporting the stabilization of the country.
“The Authority further decides to maintain the military and police components of the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG) to consolidate stability in the country.
“The Authority also affirmed its commitment to stand firm for the protection of democracy and freedom in the region and reiterates its resolute stance to upholding the principle of zero tolerance for ascension to power through unconstitutional means, as enshrined in the 2001 ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good governance,” the communique added.
GIK/APA