ECOWAS holds summit on Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea coups
Accra, Ghana (PANA) - An extraordinary summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) opened in Accra on Thursday to address the political situations in Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea where the military has ousted democratically-elected governments.
The one-day summit will also address the resurgence of military takeovers, which the Chairman of ECOWAS and Ghana's President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, described in his opening statement as a "dangerous trend" in the sub-region.
He said it was with a heavy heart that he was welcoming the leaders to the summit, given that only two days ago there was an attempt to overthrow the Guinea Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo.
Nana Akufo-Addo applauded him for surviving the coup adding that he putschists are being pursued.
He said the presence of the ECOWAS leaders was "a strong indication" of their willingness to find a sustainable solution to the resurgence of the canker in the region.
"Let us address this dangerous trend collectively and decisively before it devastates the whole region," he said, adding that the resurgence is a matter of grave concern.
"This evolution challenges the democratic life we have chosen. We need to stand firm to protect the democracy and freedom in our region."
ECOWAS at their meeting in Accra last week suspended Burkina Faso following the coup on 24 January by the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration (MPSR) ousting Roch Marc Christian Kabore.
The leaders are expected to announce sanctions against Burkina Faso and review the situation in Mali, which has been slapped with stiff economic and financial sanctions, after it went back on decisions to hold elections by the end of this month. The case of Guinea will also be discussed and a decision made.
-0- PANA MA 3Feb2022
