West African leaders have unanimously taken a decision to have authorities in Guinea organise elections within six months in order to return the country to constitutional rule.
At an Extraordinary Summit held in Accra on Thursday, September 16 under the chairmanship of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana, the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) also imposed sanctions on individual members of the military junta that ousted President Alpha Conde’s government on Sunday, September 5.
The junta by members of the Special Forces of Guinea led by Colonel Mamady Doumbouya seized power and detained President Conde.
Addressing journalists in Accra after the emergency summit, President of the ECOWAS Commission Jean-Claude Brou said the bloc is committed to support Guinea return to civilian rule.
“[The heads of state] also, of course, reaffirmed ECOWAS’ firm commitment to work and help Guinea in this process of restoring the constitutional order.
“They insisted also on the close support of traditional partner the United Nations, the African Union, European Union and also other bilateral countries and they also decided that there will be a visit by the Chair of the Authority to the Republic of Guinea as soon as possible to convey those messages regarding the decision of the Summit personally.”
Earlier, at the start of the Summit, President Akufo-Addo charged members of the Authority to take informed decisions on matters to do with stability within the sub-region.
“We are required to take informed decisions on these matters that would have long-term consequences to the stability and the defence of democratic values of our region.
“I count on you, Your Excellencies, to help proffer durable solutions to the crisis.
“I am confident that as in the past, we will rise to the occasion,” he reiterated at Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel, where the Summit was held.
By Emmanuel Kwame Amoh|3news.com|Ghana