President Nana Akufo-Addo (Left) with Mr Jean Claud Kassi-Brou (right), President of ECOWAS Commission
Heads of State of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have asked the military leaders in Guinea to provide an acceptable timeline for transition to democratic rule by April 25, 2022.
They noted that failure to adhere to the directive will lead to the immediate economic and financial sanctions of the country.
The decision comes on the back of the failure of the military leaders to respect the six-month deadline set by ECOWAS for the conduct of elections.
The leaders also called on the current government in Guinea to promote “inclusiveness and dialogue with the political stakeholders and civil society actors in handling the transition in order to reduce tension in the country and ensure a peaceful transition.”
This was contained in a communique by leaders of ECOWAS during an Extraordinary Summit in Accra last Friday to review recent political developments in Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso.
The Malian situation
On Mali, the ECOWAS Heads of State, according to the communique, noted that “the security and humanitarian situation in Mali continues to deteriorate with attacks by terrorist groups resulting in military and civilian casualties.”
They also noted that “during the last mission of the ECOWAS Mediator to Mali from 18 to 20 March 2022, the “Transition Authorities” proposed a 24-month timetable, that is, two years in addition to the 18 months that has already elapsed”.
“In light of the foregoing, the Authority urges the “Transition Authorities” to adhere to the additional period of 12 to 16 months which has been agreed by the joint technical team ECOWAS/AU/UN for the extension of the transition with effect from 15 March 2022, taking into account the activities required for the conduct of the presidential elections,” the communique added.
Among others, the ECOWAS leaders decided to send the Mediator to Mali, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, to continue and finalise the discussions on the chronogramme with the Transition Authorities.
The ECOWAS Authority also decided to “uphold the sanctions imposed on Mali on January 9, 2022 but called “on partners to increase their humanitarian support to Mali”.
Burkina Faso
The Heads of State expressed deep concern at the continued detention of former President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré since the coup d’état, in spite of several appeals for his unconditional release.
The leaders further noted that “the transition authorities are struggling to improve the security situation in the country and find solutions to the humanitarian situation.”
To this end, the leaders of the ECOWAS region demanded “the immediate and unconditional release of President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, and decided to “uphold the suspension of Burkina Faso from all ECOWAS institutions until constitutional order is restored.”
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