The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), today, re-admitted troubled Burkina Faso, even as President Goodluck Jonathan said that the collective action of members countries to nib in the but military incursion in any African will deepen political security in the sub region.
As ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State its began its 46th Ordinary Session in Abuja today, the interim President of Burkina Faso, Michel Kafando, took his seat.
In his welcome address, the host, President Jonathan said that the appointment of Michel Kafando as the interim leader of Burkina Faso is a reflection of his high standing with his people.
“It is also an affirmation of ECOWAS commitment to Democracy and Good Governance as well as its zero tolerance for unconstitutional change of Government. We are pleased that we have remain engaged with the situation in the country and that we were able to find a common voice in seeking to resolve it.
“We see the presence of H.E. Mr. Michel Kafando at this Summit, as strengthening and deepening political security in our sub region. We wish him every success in the enormous task ahead of him and his compatriots.
President Jonathan commended the ECOWAS chairman and President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama for the able and statesman-like manner in which he has managed the affairs of the Community since he assumed office.
He said that like the success story that is unfolding in Burkina Faso, “we are pleased that our exertions to stabilize the polity in other member states, particularly Guinea-Bissau and Mali have also yielded results. Our Organization has worked assiduously for the return to normalcy and stability of these countries through various interventions.”
Jonathan assured that Nigeria remained steadfastly committed to supporting peace and stability in the West African Region, in the belief that a politically stable West Africa will safeguard the vital interests of all its peoples and be a viable partner in the search for global peace.
Acknowledging that much achievements may have been recorded in the area of democracy and economic growth in the member-nations, President Jonathan admitted that the sub-region has continued to face many serious challenges.
Prominent among these challenges, he explained, is the ravaging Ebola epidemic, adding that the last six (6) months have witnessed the negative impact of the Ebola Virus Disease(EVD) on the region.
He said that since its outbreak in March, this year, the disease has resulted in over seven thousand (7,000) deaths apart from negatively impacting the economies.
“I, therefore, call on member-states as well as our development partners and the international community, at large, to contribute generously to the ECOWAS Regional Solidarity funds to fight the Ebola Virus Disease.”
President Jonathan said that another worrisome situation is the rising scourge of terrorism which is now threatening the peace and security of the sub-region.
He said that the Sahel Region has witnessed the increasing proliferation of small arms and light weapons as a result of which countries in the region are today threatened by insurgents and terrorists.
“Their actions have dire consequences for the continuing peace, stability and prosperity of the region.”
The Nigerian leader said that in the Gulf of Guinea, the increasing incidence of piracy has reached a worrisome dimension, and is compounded by drug trafficking, oil bunkering and human trafficking.
“All of these require urgent and concerted actions from all of us. Nigeria calls for stronger and more effective regional, continental and global alliance to rid our region of terrorism, piracy and violent extremism.”
He advised that ECOWAS prepares to mark its 40th anniversary, member countries must not forget that beyond politics, the economic development and integration of the region must remain the fundamental objective of the Organization.
He called on his colleagues to, as a matter of must, accelerate their efforts toward monetary union by striving to meet the convergence criteria and achieving the harmonization of tariff regimes.
He said that within the Community Institutions, there is an urgent need for structural reforms in order to enhance capacity and improve transparency.
“Activities of our Organization must conform to global best practices to strengthen confidence and assure growth. More importantly, we must diversify our revenue base and reduce our imports in the face of rapid changes in the global arena.
“It cannot continue to be business as usual, if our Organization is to fulfill the vision of our founding fathers.”
President Jonathan acknowledged that the Organization has been universally acclaimed as a model in regional integration and hoped that they would sustain this standard and continue to demonstrate their cohesiveness.
He urged members to act and continue to speak with one voice as a region, noting that out of the five regions of Africa, West Africa has the highest number of Member-States of the continental organization which is the African Union.
This, he added, is an important leverage for members who should utilize and exploit it to advance the overall interest of the region.
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