UN assures ECOWAS it’ll help fend off threats to stability
Hours after Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara’s election as the new Chairman of the sub-regional bloc, ECOWAS, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for West Africa, Mr. Said Djinnit has ‘’reiterated the commitment of the United Nations to support the efforts of ECOWAS in addressing emerging threats to the stability of the sub-region.’’
On behalf of the UN Secretary-General, Djinnit congratulated him on his election and ‘’pledged the continued support of the United Nations to the newly elected leadership of ECOWAS and paid tribute to the dedication and achievements of the outgoing team.’’
According to a statement from his office, Djinnit cited threats ‘’including the piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, the food crisis and insecurity in the Sahel Region resulting in new flow of refugees and fuelled by an increased numbers of smuggled arms in the fallout of the crisis in Libya, as well as drug trafficking and organized crime.‘’
Ouattara, who took office less than one year ago, was elected by ECOWAS heads of state at their summit in the Nigerian capital, Abuja on Friday.
This marks a great come back for the Ivory Coast in international diplomacy, after a very bloody post election violence ended last April with the ousting of former President Laurent Gbagbo.
The new ECOWAS Chairman said his main priority will be on security and the furtherance of peace in the West African sub-region.
President Ouattara has promised an ambitious plan to install a robust regional structure that will strengthen the rule of law, democracy and good governance in ECOWAS member states.
The Ivorian President takes over the Chairmanship of the 15-member sub-regional body from Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan.
Jonathan welcomed the leaders to Abuja and thanked them for their confidence in him to lead the sub-regional bloc.
The Nigerian leader recounted that ECOWAS was faced with enormous political and economic challenges, most of which were resolved through collective commitment and the efforts of each Member State.
The outgoing ECOWAS Chairman cited Liberia and Guinea as success stories in the consolidation of democracy in the sub-region.
He urged all Members to support Guinea-Bissau to hold a peaceful and successful election in March.
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