Abuja – The ECOWAS Heads of State and Government has approved the appointment of former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the leader of a Joint AU-ECOWAS High Level Mission to Senegal.
The decision is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the 40th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja.
According to the communiqué signed by the 15-member ECOWAS countries, the joint AU-ECOWAS Mission to Senegal is to engage political stakeholders on the forthcoming general elections in that country.
It mandated the envoy to engage relevant stakeholders with a view to promoting dialogue and ensuring peaceful, fair and transparent elections.
The communiqué, read by the immediate past President of ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Victor Gbeho, directed that efforts be intensified to strengthen democratic culture in the sub-region.
The meeting directed the commission to assist ECOWAS member-countries in their electoral processes to ensure credible elections.
It called on member-states and the international community to support Guinea Bissau in its preparations for the forthcoming presidential election due to take place on March 18.
On regional peace and security, the authority approved the release of three million dollars to assist Mali in dealing with the humanitarian consequences of the rebellion in that country.
It called for an immediate cessation of hostilities by rebels in Mali and ordered them to surrender occupied zones in that country.
The summit called on parties involved in the crisis to engage in dialogue as peaceful means to resolving the crisis.
It also urged the humanitarian agencies and the international community to assist the region take measures to protect and provide succor for those in Mali and Niger affected by the crises.
The summit urged the commission to develop a strategic maritime policy framework and work with other regional bodies with a view to tackling the challenges of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
It also expressed concern over worsening food insecurity and increased internally displaced persons in the Sahel region.
The meeting directed the commission to convene an urgent meeting of the Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff to review emerging security threats in the Sahel region and the Gulf of Guinea and propose recommendations to address them.
On the regional integration process, the authority instructed the commission on the immediate transfer of surplus community levy to the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development.
The summit agreed that the fund should be lent to member-states for infrastructure development.
It called on member-states to make adequate provisions for the speedy ratification of ECOWAS protocols and ensure their implementation.
It also directed the commission to hasten the establishment of the regulatory and operational framework for air transport in the region.
The authority reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying regional integration processes in the areas of agriculture and food security, infrastructure, energy, health and education among others. (NAN) Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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