ECOWAS team in Cote d'Ivoire for reconstruction talks

Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) - A high-level ECOWAS delegation, led by Commission President James Victor Gbeho, is in Abidjan for talks with officials of the Ivorian government on how the regional organization can support the country's post-conflict reconstruction, an ECOWAS Commission statement obtained by PANA here said.

The delegation, which arrived in Cote d'Ivoire Monday, will assess the needs of the country and propose critical support that will enable the country overcome identified challenges, the statement said.

The meeting with senior government officials will enable the delegation, which includes Commissioners and senior officials of ECOWAS, to make recommendations on the best approach to assist the country in its post-conflict recovery efforts.

A similar ECOWAS mission to Guinea early this year recommended the resuscitation of electric supply to Conakry, the nation’s capital, for which the region made substantial financial contribution.

Cote d'Ivoire is recovering from a prolonged post-election crisis that ended in April only after the arrest of Laurent Gbagbo, who had vowed and schemed to remain in office despite losing the country's presidential re-run to Alassane Ouattara.
-0- PANA SEG 23Aug2011