Ecowas states to fight terrorism and insecurity
President Buhari with President of Cote D’Ivoire Alasane Ouatarra, President of Republic of Togo Faure Essozinma Gnassingbe and President of Republic of Benin Boni Yayi, as President Buhari participates at the Opening Ceremony of the 40th Anniversary of ECOWAS in Abuja on 17th Dec 2015. photo | nmg
What you need to know:
The President of the Ecowas Commission, Dr Kadré Ouedraogo, expressed optimism at the HOSG resolve to eliminate terrorism in the sub-region
Abuja. The Ecowas Authority of Heads of State and Government (HOSG) has resolved to harmonise efforts against terrorism and insecurity in West Africa.
The Chairman of the authority, President Macky Sall of Senegal, made the disclosure while addressing the 48th Ordinary Session of the HOSG in Abuja.
President Sall recalled the efforts made by member states in the fight against terrorism and urged them to “remain united” against terrorism and trans-border crimes.
“Since 1975, Ecowas has become an adult community and is involved in peace and security, and fighting terrorism and trans-border crimes.
“We reiterate our solidarity with countries that are being affected by terrorist activities and we need to remain united in the steps we take to fight this scourge,” he said.
President Sall commended the efforts made in the sub-region to promote trade and free movement of people.
He, however, called on member states to fast-track the achieving of a common market by concluding actions on the Common External Tariff.
The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the UN Office for West Africa, Dr Ibn Chambas, reiterated the commitment of the UN to the fight against terrorism.
Dr Chambas commended the Ecowas in its fight against insurgency and called on member states to intensify efforts to combat the scourge.
The President of the Ecowas Commission, Dr Kadré Ouedraogo, expressed optimism at the HOSG resolve to eliminate terrorism in the sub-region.
He also reiterated the progress made towards the integration of the Ecowas people.
The the two-day HOSG summit was aimed at deliberating on terrorism in West Africa.
The summit was also expected to consider the annual report of the president of the commission, the report of the 75th Ordinary Session of the Ecowas Council of Minister, among others.
The presidents of Benin republic, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo were in attendance.
Other presidents represented include Cape Verde, Niger, Sierra Leone and Liberia. (NMG)
