ECOWAS delegation lead by President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma Holds Consultations in the United States

Washington D.C, January 26, 2011: The President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma led a high level ECOWAS delegation to Washington DC to hold consultations with United States Government on the continuing political impasse in La Cote D’Ivoire.

The ECOWAS delegation comprising the President of Sierra Leone, H.E Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, H.E Odein Ajumogobia, and President of the Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS) James Victor Gbeho, met with the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Johnny Carson and the National Security Adviser, Tom Donilon. Accompanying the delegation were the Sierra Leonean and Nigerian Ambassadors to the United States, H.E Bockari K. Stevens and H.E Professor Adebowale Adefuye respectively, and the Sierra Leone Ministers of Finance and Information Dr. Samura Kamara and Alhaji I. B. Kargbo respectively.

The discussions reflected a strong desire on both sides to uphold the integrity of democracy in the West African sub-region and in particular in Cote d’Ivoire, and also the imperative for Laurent Gbagbo to cede power so that President elect Alhassane Ouattara, takes his rightful role as President in fulfillment of the freely expressed will of the people of Cote d’Ivoire.

The US hosts saluted the leadership role ECOWAS continues to play in the ongoing efforts to facilitate a peaceful transition of power in Cote d’Ivoire. Both sides stressed the need for the international community to maintain cohesiveness in their efforts to resolve the Ivorian crisis.

The ECOWAS delegation expressed their commitment to stand by ECOWAS resolutions of 7^th and 24^th December 2010, and to continue to facilitate efforts for a peaceful transition of power while keeping all options open for a resolution of the crisis.

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