Final
Communique
1. The Fifty-sixth Ordinary Session of the
Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West
African States (ECOWAS) was held on 21 December 2019 in Abuja, Federal Republic
of Nigeria, under the chairmanship of H.E. lssoufou Mahamadou, President of the
Republic of Niger and Chair of the Authority.
2. Present at the Summit were the
under-listed ECOWAS Heads of State or their duly mandated representatives:
H.E
Patrice Talon, President of the Republic of Benin
H.E
Roch Marc Christian Kabore, President of Burkina Faso
H.E.
Jorge Carlos Fonseca, President of Cabo Verde
H.E
Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Cote d’lvoire
H.E.
Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia
H.E
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana
H.E. Alpha Condé, President of the Republic of
Guinea
H.E
George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia
H.E
lssoufou Mahamadou, President of the Republic of Niger
H.E
Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
H.E
Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal
H.E
Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone
H.E
Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe, President of the Togolese Republic
H.E.
Henrique Adriano Da Silva, Ambassador of the Republic of Guinea Bissau to Nigeria
and Permanent Representative to the ECOWAS Commission;
H.E.
Moustapha Traore, Ambassador of the Republic of Mali to Nigeria and Permanent
Representative to the ECOWAS Commission
3. The session was also attended by:
• H.E Jean Claude Kassi Brou, President
of ECOWAS Commission
• Dr
Mohamed Ibn Chambas,
Special Representative of
the United Nations Secretary
General for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS)
• Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the
African Development Bank
4. At the opening ceremony, statements
were delivered by the host President, H.E. Muhammadu Buhari, President of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria; H.E. Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, President of ECOWAS
Commission; and H.E. lssoufou Mahamadou, President of the Republic of Niger and
Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government who delivered
the opening address.
5. Goodwill messages were offered by Dr
Mohamed Ibn Chambas,
Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General and Head
of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), and Dr.
Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank.
6. The Heads of State and Government take
note of the 2019 Annual Report of the President of the Commission, the reports
of the 43rd Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council, the 83rd
Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, and the 18th Extraordinary
Session of ECOWAS Council of Ministers on the Forensic Audit of ECOWAS
Institutions and Agencies for the 2013-2017 period. They also take note of the
presentation of the Plan of Action 2020-2024 to eradicate terrorism in the
region and the special report on the ECOWAS Single Currency Programme.
7. The Authority commended the quality of
the reports and the relevant recommendations contained therein, which are aimed
at deepening the economic and monetary integration process and consolidating
political stability, peace and security within the region.
8. With a view to consolidating the
achievements recorded in the integration process and sustaining an inclusive
region of peace, security and
prosperity, the Authority takes the following decisions:
ON
ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF REGIONAL INTEGRATION PROGRAMMES
9. The Authority takes note of the
region’s improved economic performance, with ECOWAS real GDP growing by 3.3% in
2019 against 3.0% in 2018, in a context characterised by a decline in
inflationary pressures and sound public finances.
10. It urges the Commission and Member
States to continue economic reforms and ensure a sound macroeconomic
environment in Member States, with a view to accelerating the structural
transformation of ECOWAS economies and facilitating the achievement of the
monetary union by 2020.
11. To this end, the Authority commends the
African Development Bank for the initiatives taken to ensure Africa’s economic
transformation and development. It encourages the Bank to strengthen its
cooperation with ECOWAS in funding regional programmes and projects. The
Authority endorses the candidacy of Dr. Akinwumi Adesina for a second term as
President of the African Development Bank.
CREATION
OF THE MONETARY UNION
12. The Authority commends the Ministerial
Committee for the progress made with the implementation of the ECOWAS Single
Currency Programme.
13. The Authority, while welcoming the
improved macroeconomic convergence outlook in 2019, urges Member States to
continue efforts to comply with the convergence criteria, with a view to
achieving and sustaining macroeconomic stability in the Community.
14. It takes note of the implementation
status of the activities contained in the revised roadmap. It further instructs
the Ministerial Committee to take steps to readjust the timelines of the
revised roadmap and reallocate the financial resources of the Special Fund,
focusing on financing the activities essential for the establishment of the
ECOWAS Monetary Union in 2020.
15. The Heads of State and Government take
note of the proposed symbols of the ECOWAS single currency and adopt the
following as the ECO symbol:
16. As
regards the name of the ECOWAS Central Bank, the Authority adopts the
following: Central Bank of West Africa (CBWA).
17. Regarding the ECOWAS Single Currency,
after having listened to H.E. Alassane Ouattara, Chair of the UEMOA Conference
of Heads of State and Government, the Authority takes note of the major changes
underway in UEMOA. The reform of the UEMOA monetary zone will facilitate its
integration into the ECOWAS monetary zone (ECO).
ON
FREE MOVEMENT OF PERSONS AND GOODS
18. The Authority reiterates the need for
all Member States to fully implement the Protocol on Free Movement as it
relates to the rights of entry, residence and establishment. It calls upon
Member States that are yet to deploy the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity
Card to speed up its deployment, in order to facilitate the mobility of
Community Citizens in the region. To
this end, it expresses its gratitude to the Member States that have commenced
deployment.
19. As regards the free movement of goods
within the region, the Authority takes note of the continuing challenges in the
implementation of the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons and Goods, arising
from border closure to goods.
20. The Authority commends the efforts of
the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) Presidential Task Force on the
matter and requests the Tripartite Ministerial Committee comprising Benin,
Niger and Nigeria, to quickly conclude its work in order to resolve all the
existing border issues.
21. Concerning the Customs Union, the
Authority notes the progress made in the implementation of the Common External
Tariff (CET) and urges Member States to quickly complete the process of
convergence towards the CET. To this
end, it endorses the three-year extension period of the Supplementary Protection
Measures.
22. The Authority further lauds the efforts
of the Community on the ECOWAS Common Schedule of Tariff Concession for the
African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and enjoins quick resolution of
the outstanding issues. This is with a view to ensuring that all Member States
submit a single common offer to the African Union Commission.
23. The Summit takes note of the progress
made in the trade in services and the ECOWAS Services Policy Review (SPR) and
directs the ECOWAS Commission to assist Member States in arriving at a common
position on the schedule of specific commitments in this area.
ON
INDUSTRY AND PRIVATE SECTOR PROMOTION
24. The Authority takes note of the
implementation of the revised West African Common Industrial Policy (WACIP) Strategy
(2015-2020) and the Regional Quality Policy (ECOWAQ). It encourages the ECOWAS
Commission to continue efforts to create an enabling environment for the
development of the Community’s private sector.
ON
ENERGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
25. The Heads of State and Government note
the inadequate energy supply in the Community and welcome the measures taken by
regional institutions to increase supply, while focusing on renewable sources
of energy.
26. The Authority welcomes the Commission’s
efforts to provide the region with a coherent legislative framework for the
development of the mining sector. It commends the Council of Ministers for
adopting the Regulation on the Regional Programme to Facilitate the Supply of
Petroleum Products in the ECOWAS Region and adopts the Supplementary Act on the
ECOWAS Hydrocarbon Development Policy and its Implementation Matrix.
27. The Authority takes note of the
significant progress made in project implementation, particularly the
construction of ECOWAS Joint Border Posts (JBPs), as well as the corridor and
air transport development.
28. It encourages the ECOWAS Commission, in
collaboration with Member States, to step up efforts for the implementation of
regional infrastructure projects, with a view to opening up some countries and
ensuring seamless intra-Community trade.
ON
PEACE, SECURITY AND STABILITY
29. The Authority reaffirms its commitment
to the promotion of peace, security and stability, as a prerequisite for the
economic integration and development of the region.
Political
situation in the region
30. On the upcoming run-off election in
Guinea Bissau, scheduled to hold on 29 December 2019, the Authority recalls the
Extraordinary Summit of 8 November 2019, which insisted on the continuation of
the ongoing democratic process in Guinea Bissau.
31. In furtherance to the Summit decision,
the Authority notes that the ECOWAS Commission assisted and supported the
government of Guinea Bissau in conducting the Presidential election on 24
November 2019.
32. The Authority congratulates the first
two candidates in the presidential election, Mr Domingos Simoes Pereira of the
PAIGC (40.13%) and Mr Umaru Sissoco Embalo of the MADEM-G15 (27.65%). It urges
both candidates to remain committed to the peaceful, transparent and credible
conduct of the run-off election.
33. The Authority further notes that the
ECOWAS Mission in Guinea Bissau (ECOMIB) had been reinforced as instructed by
the Heads of State and Government with 140 elements of the Forced Police Unit
(FPU) provided by the Togolese Republic, in order to ensure security before,
during and after the presidential elections. The Authority commends the crucial
role of ECOMIB in the stabilisation and security of Guinea Bissau. The mandate
of ECOMIB will expire on the 30 March 2020.
34. While calling on the political
stakeholders in Bissau to remain committed to peaceful, transparent and
credible conduct of the run-off election, the Authority directs the ECOWAS
Commission to provide urgent technical support after the presidential election.
This is to accelerate the implementation of the constitutional reforms
contained in the Conakry Agreement towards the conduct of the Referendum on the
Constitutional Reforms in 2020.
35. The Authority congratulates President
Patrice Talon for initiating the political dialogue and expresses satisfaction
with the consensus reached by the Benin authorities and the political
stakeholders and the appeasement measures, which resulted from the political
dialogue.
36. The Authority notes the launch of the nation-wide
inclusive national dialogue in Bamako on 14 December 2019. The Heads of State
and Government commend the President, H.E. Ibrahim Boubacar Kéita for the
initiative intended to deepen the democratic process in Mali, enhance
governance and strengthen national unity.
37. While commending the participation of
almost all segments of the Malian society in this historic event, the Authority
invites all stakeholders, without exception, to take ownership of the
conclusions of this restorative dialogue, to enhance the stabilisation process
in the country.
38. The Authority welcomes the progress made
in the implementation of the Algiers’ Peace and Reconciliation process,
particularly in the areas of Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reinsertion (DDR),
reconciliation and transitional justice, as well as the political measures to
end the crisis in Central Mali. It encourages the government to continue its
efforts in spite of the difficult environment.
39. The Authority reaffirms its support for
the territorial integrity of Mali and the restoration of government control
throughout the country, including respect for State symbols. To that end, it
calls on the international community to support the government’s initiatives.
Elections
in the region
40. The Authority also notes that six
Presidential/General elections are scheduled to hold in the region in 2020, in
Togo, Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Niger. The Authority notes
with satisfaction that most of the countries with elections in 2020, would be in
their fifth or sixth electoral cycle. This would constitute an important test
of our region’s commitment to democratic consolidation.
41. In that regard, the Authority commends
the democratic progress achieved in the region and urges Member States conducting
elections in 2020, to sustain the enabling environment for peaceful,
transparent and credible elections, to further entrench democracy and good
governance. Consequently, the Authority calls on the ECOWAS Commission to
continue to support the electoral processes in Member States, by providing
technical assistance in a timely manner to ensure the conduct of successful
elections in 2020.
Security
situation in the region
42. The Authority expresses grave concern at
the resurgence of terrorist attacks, targeted at the defence and security
forces, civilians, and the social and economic structures and places of
worship.
43. The Authority condemns in strong terms
the attacks and reaffirms its determination to leave no stone unturned in
eradicating terrorism in the region. It expresses solidarity with the people
and governments of the affected countries.
44. The Authority commends the considerable
efforts by Member States to fight against terrorism and all other forms of
transnational organised crime in the region.
45. The Authority restates its call to the
United Nations Security Council, to bring the G5 Sahel Joint Force under
Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. Furthermore, it calls on the United
Nations Security to grant MINUSMA a mandate for offensive operations, to enable
it more effectively address the challenges of terrorism in Mali. The Authority
reiterates its request to the United Nations to appoint a Joint United Nations
– Libya Special Envoy to Libya.
46. The Authority adopts the 2020 – 2024 Action
Plan to eradicate terrorism in the region, its implementation timetable and
estimated budget of Two Billion, Three Hundred Million US dollars
(US$2.300.000.000). One billion US dollars of the entire budget will be
financed from internal funds. The money is intended for the provision of
equipment support to Member States, training of the relevant bodies and
effective intelligence sharing.
47. The Authority instructs the Commission
to propose a strategy to mobilise the outstanding amount for the 2021-2024
period at its next ordinary session.
48. The Authority also instructs the
President of the Commission to immediately set up an inclusive and transparent
mechanism to manage funds mobilised for the implementation of the Action Plan.
The Authority further instructs the President of the Commission to ensure the
speedy disbursement of the resources mobilised in order to respond efficiently
to the urgent the situation.
49. The Authority decides to focus effort,
in 2020 and 2021, on the implementation of activities expected to quickly
contribute in checking the increase and spread of terrorist attacks.
50. The Authority urges international
partners to provide substantial support for the implementation of the Action
Plan. To this end, it instructs the President of the Commission to organise, as
soon as possible, a donor conference to mobilise funds, in addition to the
internal resources identified by the Authority.
51. The Authority instructs the President to
build strong partnerships with all stakeholders in counter-terrorism in the
region. The partnerships should be built on the complementarity of initiatives
and activities such as to avoid, as much as possible, the duplication of
efforts. They should also be based on the principle of comparative advantage, in
order to benefit from the value added of the different stakeholders, to better
optimise their role.
ON
HARMONISATION OF ECOWAS POSITION IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS
52. The Heads of State and Government take
note of the request for support by Member States applying for positions in
international and regional organisations, and of the vacancies available to
ECOWAS Member States at the United Nations in 2020.
53. The Authority calls for urgent
arbitration and harmonisation of the positions requested by several Member
States, in order to come up with consensus candidatures, which should be fully
supported by the Community.
ON
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
54. The Authority expresses deep and sincere
gratitude to all financial and technical partners of ECOWAS, for their
contribution to the consolidation of regional peace and security, and
implementation of the ECOWAS integration agenda.
55. The Authority calls on the financial and
technical partners to support the financing of the ECOWAS’ five-year action
plan for the eradication of terrorism in the region (2020-2024).
ON
INSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
56. The Authority takes note of the report
of the 18th Extraordinary Session of the Council of Ministers on the Forensic
Audit of ECOWAS Institutions and Agencies for the period of 2013-2017. It calls
on ECOWAS Institutions and Agencies to continue to promote a credible system of
corporate good governance within the Community.
57. In this regard, the Authority welcomes
the initiative to establish an ethics and compliance whistle-blower policy, a
financial asset disclosure policy, and a cashless policy, among others.
DATE
AND VENUE OF NEXT SUMMIT
58. The date and venue of the Fifty-seventh
Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government will
be communicated at a later date, after consultations with the Heads of State
and Government.
59. The Authority conveys its sincere
congratulations to H.E. Issoufou Mahamadou, President of the Republic of Niger
and Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government for his
outstanding commitment to regional and continental integration and exemplary
leadership in steering the affairs of the Community.
DONE
IN ABUJA THIS 21ST DAY OF DECEMBER 2019
THE
AUTHORITY
