PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Cape Verde calls for military cooperation with ECOWAS in fighting common threats
Praia, Cape Verde (PANA) - Cape Verde's President, Jorge Carlos Fonseca, has called for military cooperation between his country with neighbouring States of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), so that together they can fight common threats, including terrorism.
Mr. Fonseca, who spoke on Tuesday in Mindelo, on the island of São Vicente, during the celebration of the 52nd anniversary of the Cape Verdean Armed Forces (CAF), warned that among other threats, terrorism, human trafficking, weapons and drugs in the sub-region, in addition to maritime piracy, especially in the Gulf of Guinea, are adversely affecting his country.
"If our joint participation with the Armed Forces of the United States and those of some European Union countries has been beneficial, I am convinced that it will be the same with the Armed Forces of the friendly countries with whom we share the sea, an area where we face the same threats," the Cape Verdean Head of State told the Command Unit of the 1st Military Region in São Vicente
He acknowledged that the CAF is fulfilling its tasks and obligations, but added that "the global reality requires greater vigilance and preparedness".
The President of Cape Verde, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Cape Verdean Armed Forces, noted the importance of strengthening relations between the military institution and other law enforcement and security forces.
"Our defence and security forces must be united and highly motivated in preventing and combating urban violence, trafficking and evils that can undermine our stability and social cohesion, always in accordance with the law and the Constitution," he said.
Fonseca also warned of the need for the State to provide the necessary resources for the execution of military missions, both internally and in the exclusive economic zone of the Cape Verdean archipelago.
He acknowledged that the logistical conditions of the CAFs do not yet allow the country to monitor and control the Exclusive Economic Zone and establish the much desired regional cooperation in an appropriate manner.
"We do not to question the efforts of the government, which encourages us to seek solutions to these and other difficulties that affect the modernization of the military institution itself," he said.
On this occasion, the President decorated the Armed Forces with the First Class of the Star of Honour Medal, in recognition of "their contribution to improving the living conditions of the populations, the defence and security of the country", as well as "in search and rescue missions and other achievements in the public interest".
-0- PANA CS/DD/CJB/BEH/MTA/VAO 16Jan2019
Mr. Fonseca, who spoke on Tuesday in Mindelo, on the island of São Vicente, during the celebration of the 52nd anniversary of the Cape Verdean Armed Forces (CAF), warned that among other threats, terrorism, human trafficking, weapons and drugs in the sub-region, in addition to maritime piracy, especially in the Gulf of Guinea, are adversely affecting his country.
"If our joint participation with the Armed Forces of the United States and those of some European Union countries has been beneficial, I am convinced that it will be the same with the Armed Forces of the friendly countries with whom we share the sea, an area where we face the same threats," the Cape Verdean Head of State told the Command Unit of the 1st Military Region in São Vicente
He acknowledged that the CAF is fulfilling its tasks and obligations, but added that "the global reality requires greater vigilance and preparedness".
The President of Cape Verde, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Cape Verdean Armed Forces, noted the importance of strengthening relations between the military institution and other law enforcement and security forces.
"Our defence and security forces must be united and highly motivated in preventing and combating urban violence, trafficking and evils that can undermine our stability and social cohesion, always in accordance with the law and the Constitution," he said.
Fonseca also warned of the need for the State to provide the necessary resources for the execution of military missions, both internally and in the exclusive economic zone of the Cape Verdean archipelago.
He acknowledged that the logistical conditions of the CAFs do not yet allow the country to monitor and control the Exclusive Economic Zone and establish the much desired regional cooperation in an appropriate manner.
"We do not to question the efforts of the government, which encourages us to seek solutions to these and other difficulties that affect the modernization of the military institution itself," he said.
On this occasion, the President decorated the Armed Forces with the First Class of the Star of Honour Medal, in recognition of "their contribution to improving the living conditions of the populations, the defence and security of the country", as well as "in search and rescue missions and other achievements in the public interest".
-0- PANA CS/DD/CJB/BEH/MTA/VAO 16Jan2019
