ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council

(PANA)- The ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council has called on member states to improve the equipment and operational readiness of their armed forces, so they will be better prepared for deployment to trouble spots in the region

The call followed the endorsement of the recommendations of the 20th meeting of the committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff by Ministers of the Council 13 November.

The two-day meeting of the Chiefs of Defence Staff, held in Monrovia from 5 November, had expressed concern about the relative reduction in defence spending in the region, which was reflected in the low readiness levels of their armed forces, saying this could affect their rapid response capability.

In a communiqué at the end of its one-day meeting in Ouagadougou, the Council, which comprises Foreign Ministers of member states, also urged the ECOWAS Commission to intensify its search for external support toward the actualization of its objective of establishing a humanitarian depot in Mali that will complement the logistic depot in peace support operations.

The Council also stressed the need for the development of a fully functional regional emergency response capability, whose effectiveness will be facilitated by the proposed humanitarian depot.

It further urged the Commission to remain engaged with the process of the consolidation of democracy in the region, as this will contribute to ‘ushering in an era of peace and stability,’ adding that those member states that have not signed on to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) should also do so.

The Ministers expressed concern over the security situation in the northern parts of Mali and Niger, and expressed support for the governments of the two ember states in their efforts to resolve the crisis.

Moreover, the Council condemned the spate of kidnappings, arms and drug trafficking as well as the use of landmines which pose a ‘great risk to the security and development of the areas concerned.’

The meeting, whose agenda was dominated by the issues of regional security, particularly in the conflict and post conflict member states, also expressed concern about the youth exodus from the region, which continues to pose a challenge to regional development.

It therefore urged the Commission to accelerate its work in evolving a common regional position on migration.

The Council also called for the inclusion of the negotiation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between West Africa and Europe, which has reached a critical phase, in the agenda of the Africa-Europe two-day Summit to be held in Lisbon from 8 December 2007, in recognition of he importance of trade as a vehicle for development.

It urged the ECOWAS Commission to improve on the efficiency of its Council of the Wise, the four zonal bureaux for conflict prevention located in Burkina Faso, Benin, The Gambia and Liberia, national units and other peace constituencies within the framework of the regional security architecture.

<< Back to main