ECOWAS ministers meet on Mali, Guinea Bissau

Posted by admin Africa & World Politics, Headlines Thursday, April 12th, 2012

Ministers of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council are to meet in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire today – in attempt to end the political crisis in Mali and Guinea Bissau.

The sub-regional body said in a statement on Wednesday that the meeting would review various proposals for resolving the political crises in both countries.

Members of the council, who are mainly ministers of Foreign Affairs of ECOWAS member countries, are expected to be joined later by the defence counterparts.

They are expected to consider recommendations by ECOWAS Commission President, Kadire Ouédraogo, on the regional responses to the evolving situation in Mali.

Separatist rebels have taken over sections of the northern part of Mali following the now-reversed March 22, coup d’état.

The statement read in part, “The ministers will also consider the report of the 5th April 2012 meeting of the regional Chiefs of Defence Staff, including the proposals for possible deployment of a regional force to assist in securing the territorial integrity of Mali against the Tuareg rebellion.

“At their extra-ordinary summit in Abidjan on 29th March 2012, ECOWAS leaders served notice of the possible deployment of the regional Standby Force, should the rebels refuse to observe a ceasefire and engage in dialogue to resolve the political situation in northern Mali.

“The summit also appointed President Blaise Compaoré of Burkina Faso as mediator of the Mali crisis, and impressed upon the coup makers to revert to constitutional order.

“The intervention of regional leaders, including through the suspension of Mali and imposition of legal, economic and diplomatic sanctions on the country, has already resulted in an agreement by the military junta to restore constitutional order by handing over to the Speaker of the National Assembly on Thursday, 11th April 2012 as a first step.”

The Mediation and Security Council ministerial meeting will also consider proposals by Ouédraogo for resolving the post-election crisis threatening to destabilise Guinea Bissau.

A joint delegation of ECOWAS, African Union and UN officials led by the President of the commission visited the country on March 31.

The delegation met with stakeholders as part of regional efforts to douse tension over the disputed outcome of the inconclusive March 18, 2012 presidential election to replace President Bacai Sanha, who died on 9th January2012.

The dispute stalled the organization of a run-off poll between the two presidential frontrunners – former Prime Minister Carlos Gomes and former President Kumba Yala – with the latter alleging fraud in the first round balloting.

-Punchwp_posts