By Zainab.joaque@awokonewspaper.sl
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – The Authority of Heads of States has instructed the Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff (CCDS) to urgently study and propose the options, modalities and financial and technical means for the urgent operationalisation of the ECOWAS Standby Force, including a special kinetic operation to combat terrorism.
This was contained in their Communique at the end of the Sixty-Second Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja.
They 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.
The President of the Commission was also instructed to engage civil society and the private sector for the mobilization of additional resources through awareness programs and advocacy to combat terrorism in the ECOWAS region.
A mandate was given to the President of the Commission to take the necessary measures to support the two designated ECOWAS Champions, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana and H.E. Mahamadou lssoufou, former President of the Republic of Niger, in their efforts to mobilize resources, including own resources, for the implementation of the Action Plan.
On unconstitutional changes of Government, the Authority reaffirms its strong condemnation of unconstitutional changes of government and underscores the urgent need for collective action to entrench democracy and promote stability in the region.
The Authority reaffirms its determination to scrupulously enforce the principle of ‘Zero tolerance for power obtained or maintained by unconstitutional means’ and to apply without exception the severest of sanctions for non-compliance.
To this end, in accordance with the instructions issued at its 61st Ordinary Session held in Accra, the Republic of Ghana on 3rd July 2022, the Authority directs the President of the Commission to continue discussions with Member States and if need be, with other stakeholders, with a view to reaching consensus on outstanding issues, to finalize the revision of the 2001 Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
The Authority further directs the President of the Commission to submit the draft revised Supplementary Protocol at its next session. The Authority also decides to set up a regional force whose mandate will include the restoration of constitutional order where they are threatened in the sub-region. ZIJ/8/12/2022