MONROVIA Nov. 24 ( LINA) – Liberia, Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire have endorsed and reaffirmed their commitment to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and African Union (AU), pledging support and dedication to the ECOWAS process and transition road map in Guinea.
Presenting a communiqué at the close and signing ceremony of the Mano River Union Diplomatic, Peace, Security and Democracy Conference (MRU) at a local hotel in Margibi County, Liberia’s Foreign Minister Dee-Maxwell Kemayah said that the Conference welcomed the pronouncements and commitment of the National Transitional Council of Guinea to restore constitutional order and return power in the shortest possible time.
According Minister Kemayah, the Secretariat of the MRU convened a special Diplomatic, Peace, Security and Democracy Conference on the political situation in the Republic of Guinea at the initiative of Dr. George Manneh Weah, President of Liberia, who graced the occasion by delivering the keynote address.
Min. Kemayah further said that the conference commended the relentless efforts of H. E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State, Governments of ECOWAS and President of the Republic of Ghana to bring about a peaceful and amicable resolution to the situation in Guinea.
« The delegates further noted with keen interest the focus of the National Transitional Council to fight corruption, initiate reforms and strengthen Institutions to sustain an irreversible transition to democracy governance and constitutional rule in Guinea,” Min. Kemayah disclosed.
He cited that the conference adopted with great appreciation the policy Framework and outlined in the keynote address of President George M. Weah, who observed the historical threats to the peace, security and stability of the sub-region.
“President Weah also commended the MRU in its attempt to foster closer working relations with ECOWAS, AU, UNOWAS and other partners to revive the 15th Protocol of the MRU on Peace, Security and Defense,” adding that “this MRU, ECOWAS collaboration should also support conflict management, resolution, peace building and political transformation in Guinea as an added impetus to the proposed revision of the ECOWAS supplementary protocol on Democracy and Good Governance of 2001,” Min. Kemayah said.
« The Conference also adopted the proposal by President Weah where he called for a merged ECOWAS, AU, MRU Mission to be supported by the UN Peace Building Commission Fund and other international partners, which should be established to support the ECOWAS mediation effort in the current Guinean transitional arrangements being undertaken to prepare Guinea for democratic elections and the return to constitutional order,” said Min. Kemayah.
He further noted that the participants resolved that the MRU reactivates the Peace and Security Unit and the actualization of the revised 15th protocol of the MRU Secretariat for the effective operationalization of the regular joint border security patrol.
Sierra Leone offered to chair the operationalization of the Joint Security Committee and Border Patrols over the next 18 months.
He said the participants also indicated that a Joint Mission, comprising the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defense, Chiefs of Defense Staff and the Secretary General of the MRU pay a visit to Guinea as early as December 2, 2021 before the next ECOWAS Summit which convenes on December 12, 2021;
« The Joint Security Committee of the MRU be reactivated to enhance intelligence sharing and collaboration in the fight against terrorism and ensure that requisite funds be mobilized to support the periodic meetings of all the structures indicated in the MRU revised 15th Protocol of Peace, Security and Defense, » Kemayah added.
Min. Kemayah added that the Secretary General of the MRU was called upon to reach out to ECOWAS, AU, UN, United Nations Peace Building Commission and other partners to foster stronger and more active partnership in peace building initiatives for the MRU, and specifically for its engagement in Guinea.
