MONROVIA – At long last, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially congratulated Liberia’s President-elect Joseph Nyuma Boakai for his victory in the just ended presidential and legislative elections in the country.
By Obediah Johnson
Mr. Boakai served as former Vice President during the tenures of ex-Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.
The National Elections Commission (NEC) announced him winner of the November 14 presidential runoff elections after he obtained 50.64% of the total number of valid votes, against incumbent President George Manneh Weah who accumulated 49.36%.
In a Communiqué issued at the just ended 64th Ordinary Session of Authority of Heads of States held in Abuja, Nigeria on December 10, The Authority of ECOWAS also commended the government and Liberians for the peaceful conduct of the elections.
The group further called for “social cohesion” among Liberian leaders and citizens.
It also recognized the role played by outgoing President Weah to maintain the peace and stability of the nation by conceding defeat.
“The Authority congratulates the Government and people of Liberia on the peaceful conduct of the general elections. The Authority congratulates Ambassador Joseph Boakai on his election as President of Liberia and commends President George Weah for his statesmanship and gracious acceptance of the elections results. 28. The Authority encourages the leaders and citizens of Liberia to continue to promote social cohesion. It urges the Commission to accompany Liberia in these efforts.”
Meanwhile, ECOWAS has strongly condemned the attempted coup d’état which led to loss of life and destruction of property in neighboring Sierra Leone on 26th November 2023,
The Authority urged the judicial instances to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the events, with a view to identifying and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
“The Authority commends the signing of the “Agreement for National Unity” that emanated from the mediated dialogue between the Government and the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party and urges all parties and other stakeholders to implement the Agreement in good faith within the stipulated timeframe.”
It further instructed the Commission to continue to support Sierra Leone in these efforts.
It mandated the Commission to also facilitate the deployment of an ECOWAS Security Mission to Sierra Leone to help stabilize the country.
On Guinea Bissau, the Authority strongly condemned the violence that erupted in the country on 1st December 2023 that sought to disrupt the constitutional order and rule of law in Guinea Bissau.
It commended the action of the loyal members of the security forces of Guinea Bissau and expresses its full solidarity with the people and the constitutional authority of the country.
“The authority expresses its deep preoccupation with the recent developments in Guinea Bissau and the threats they pose to constitutional order. The Authority therefore calls for the full respect of the national constitution and a transparent investigation into the various events in accordance with the law and, with a view to ensuring the quick restoration of all national institutions.”
The Authority directed the Commission to support Guinea Bissau in the consolidation of democracy, peace and stability, including through the completion of the on-going review of the Constitution and urgent Defence and Security Sector Reform.
It further called on all actors to refrain from any act susceptible to disrupt the peace of Guinea Bissau and calls on all institutions of the Republic to promote dialogue and to adhere to democratic norms.
The Authority took a decision to extend the mandate of the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea Bissau (SSMGB) for one year.
It instructed the Commission to take steps to review the mandate of the mission.
On The Gambia, the Authority urged the Government and stakeholders to expedite the adoption of a new Constitution, ahead of the 2026 general elections, as well as the implementation of the White Paper on the recommendations of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparation Commission.
It, however, decided to extend the mandate of the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG) for one year and instructs the Mission to continue to support The Gambia in the implementation of the White Paper and needed Defense and Security Sector Reforms.
The Authority further noted the performance of the ECOWAS economies in 2023 affected by the global economy and inflation.
Notably, the body observed that, the regional growth rate slowed to 3.7 percent in 2023, compared to 3.9 percent in 2022, annual average inflation peaked at 20.0 percent, compared to 17.3 percent in 2022 and public debt deteriorated further to 48.8 percent of GDP, compared to 36.8 percent of GDP in 2022.
The Authority, however, commended, the various measures taken by Member States to attenuate the adverse effects of the global economic downturn, urging Member States to pursue structural reforms for economic development, notably through private sector promotion, diversification of their economies as well as increasing investments in social sectors.
On the ECOWAS Single Currency, the Authority took note of the interim report of the High-Level Committee on Practical Arrangements for the Launch of the ECO and instructed the Committee to continue its work and report back at the 65th Session of the Authority.
It further directed WAMI and WAMA to take part in the work of the High-Level Committee on Practical Arrangements for the Launch of the ECO.
On obstacles to the Free Movement of Goods on the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor, the Authority instructed the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) Task Force with the support of the Commission to accelerate the implementation of measures to facilitate the free movement of persons and goods in the region in general and on the Abidjan-Lagos corridor in particular.
On Peace, Security and Governance in the region, ECOWAS commended the efforts being made by Member States and the ECOWAS Commission towards the consolidation of democracy, peace, security, and stability in the region.
“The Authority notes, in particular, the peaceful elections that took place during the year in Nigeria, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone and Liberia. The Authority welcomes the peaceful resolution of the electoral dispute in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the peaceful outcome of the dialogue between the Opposition and the Government in the Republic of Sierra Leone.”
“The Authority notes continued challenges of insecurity and instability in the region that have been engendered by terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organized crime, as well as Unconstitutional Changes of Government. The Authority reaffirms its commitment to the promotion of peace, democracy and good governance in the region and urges Member States to uphold the tenets of the ECOWAS Protocol relating to the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security as well as the Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.”
In this regard, the Authority took a decision to direct the Commission to undertake deep reflection with stakeholders on the Final Version and relationships between electoral processes, democracy and development and to make actionable recommendations on increasing the transparency and credibility of elections and the promotion of inclusive development and accountable governance.
The Authority further instructed the Commission to intensify consultations with Member States in order to finalize and present for adoption the draft Revised Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
“The Authority directs the Commission to embark on deep reflection, explore the possibility of an extraordinary Summit on Unconstitutional Changes of Government.”
