ECOWAS Summit

Heads of State from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held its 39th summit in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, from 23 to 24 March. The summit decided to assess the developments in Cote d'Ivoire and chart the way forward for the regional organization. In a communiqué after the Summit, ECOWAS called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to adopt strict sanctions against Laurent Gbagbo made a request of the UNSC 'to strengthen the mandate of the UN operation in Cote d'Ivoire enabling the mission to use all necessary means to protect life and property and to facilitate the immediate transfer of power to Alassane Ouattara.'

Objective Behind Meeting

The motivations that lie behind ECOWAS demand for a tougher UN mandate in Cote d'Ivoire must be discerned because such a move seems both worrying and commendable. They are worrying in the sense that it may be interpreted to mean that ECOWAS is extracting itself from the situation but they are also commendable because ECOWAS may just be emphasizing the plight of Ivorians to the UN. The call from ECOWAS chairman and Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan comes amid disquiet over the perceived global indifference of the UN and world powers towards the plight of Ivorians and sub-Saharan Africans in general.

Lifting Sanctions Imposed on Guinea

The heads of state and governments of the ECOWAS decided to lift the sanctions imposed on Guinea, reports Guinean privately-owned Aujourd'hui en Guinee website on 26 March.

The decision to lift the sanctions followed the return to constitutional order through the effective holding of free, fair and credible elections leading to the victory of Prof Alpha Conde as president on 7 November 2010.

'While congratulating HE Alpha Conde on his victory, the heads of state and governments rendered homage to Cellou Dalein Diallo for the exemplary conduct he put up by accepting the verdict of the ballot box', statement of ECOWAS pointed out.

Political Maturity

The regional leaders commended the Guinean people for their political maturity and especially the transitional leader, Gen Sekouba Konate, for his commitment and leadership leading to the end of the transition. The leaders also rendered great homage to President Blaise Compaore for his mediation efforts in Guinea. They also expressed their gratitude for the role played by the development partners under the aegis of the International Contact Group on Guinea in the country's transitional process.

Consequently, the ECOWAS leaders decided to lift the sanctions on the country: 'In view of the restoration of the democratic governance in Guinea, the heads of state and government to lift the suspension of the Republic of Guinea namely on its participating in every decision making body of the ECOWAS and the imposition of the embargo on the delivery of arms, ammunition and military equipment to Guinea'.