According to the meeting, this phenomena remains an existential threat to the peace, security, and stability of the region.
“To that end, it expresses their political will and determination to provide the requisite financial and technical means for effective implementation of the ECOWAS Action Plan for the Eradication of Terrorism, in particular the activation of a kinetic force under the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) to support the fight against terrorism, according to the final Communiqué.
“The Authority notes with concern the contribution of some means of transportation in facilitating the movements and operations of terrorist groups in the Sahel. In this regard, the Authority urges Member States to regulate their importation and use across the Region.”
“The Authority appoints Ambassador Baba Kamara, as a High-Level Official to work in close collaboration with the President of Commission to monitor the implementation of counter-terrorism efforts and report regularly to the Authority.”
“The Authority calls for an Extra-Ordinary Session to be held in Nigeria by the end of August 2023, to discuss the concrete measures to address the regional security challenges, including the situation in the three countries in transition. This Session will be preceded by the Extra-Ordinary meeting of the Ministers of Defense and Finance.”
On the Humanitarian situation in the Region, the Heads of State and Government express serious concern over the dire humanitarian situation in the region, noting that conflict and insecurity continue to displace people in the frontline states of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria, causing an outflow of refugees to the neighbouring coastal states, especially Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana.
The Authority instructs the ECOWAS Commission to urgently increase its humanitarian support and intervention programmes to significantly mitigate the humanitarian situation through the provision of basic education to conflict-affected children, livelihood support, and resilience building. The Authority also urges the international community, bilateral and multilateral partners to provide substantial humanitarian support to the affected countries.
On the ECOWAS Peace Support Operations, the Authority instructs the Commission, in its considerations regarding ECOMIG, to take into account the urgent need to enhance the on-going Defense and Security Sector Reform (DSSR) efforts and the implementation of the recommendations of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparation Commission (TRRC).
On the Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea Bissau (SSMGB), the Authority instructs the ECOWAS Commission to take the necessary measures for the deployment of the Formed Police Unit pledged by the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea Bissau (SSMGB) and the relocation of the Force Headquarters.
