ECOWAS development partners agree on promotion of peace and security initiatives
The 7th edition of the ECOWAS-Development Partners coordination meeting ended in Abuja with participants agreeing on the need to support ECOWAS’ initiatives on peace and security, including the imposition of sanctions on erring Member States.
This agreement was part of the outcome of two days of talks which centered on peace and security, deepening of the integration process in West Africa and the requisite capacity building to achieve institutional goals.
The meeting which specifically considered ECOWAS’ capacity to handle the electoral processes as part of its programme on the promotion of democracy and good governance, called on the international community to support on-going efforts with the organization of elections in Guinea within the shortest time possible as well as support the much needed security sector reforms in the country.
Similarly, participants called for support to address the challenges posed by the impending elections in Togo, which analysts say will require both the dispatch of a security team and regular election observers.
Furthermore, the partners consented to seek means of advancing the implementation of initiatives under the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework. This includes regional efforts to tackle acts of terrorism and illicit drug trafficking as enunciated in the 2008 ECOWAS action plan on drug control.
On integration issues, participants recommended the establishment of a monitoring mechanism on the respect of decisions and regulations adopted by the ECOWAS leadership.
In this regard, they agreed to pursue efforts to more deeply involve other actors, including civil society organizations, Member States and the private sector in the programmes of the ECOWAS Commission.
In addition, the meeting pledged to investigate the non-application of ECOWAS protocols and other legal instruments in Member States. Of particular concern was the Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons, Goods and Services.
Concerning capacity building issues, the meeting noted the slow implementation of the 2009 capacity building plan and challenges relating to staffing, training and procedures and agreed that special attention would be given to addressing these constraints in 2010.
The meeting also endorsed a draft road map for the finalization of a new Joint Financing Arrangement framework and called for more regular meetings of the Capacity Building Technical Group to address issues pertaining to monitoring and evaluation of capacity building plans, among other tasks.
While appointing the United Kingdom as coordinator among the Development Partners for its leading role so far, the meeting decided that the options for improved information management of capacity building and the Joint Financing Arrangement would be identified and implemented in 2010.
Pasco Gerald Temple, Information attaché, Sierra Leone High Commission, Abuja, NigeriaÂStay with Sierra Express media, for your trusted place in news!
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