PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council meets in Abuja
Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Mediation and Security Council on Thursday began a three-day meeting in Abuja with the Nigerian federal government assuring of credible elections in 2019.
Nigeria is set to conduct Presidential, National Assembly, Governorship and State legislative elections next year.
Foreign Affairs minister Geoffrey Onyeama, who is also Chair of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, commended several member States in the region on efforts made in the various political, constitutional and security sector reforms to improve democracy.
“We welcome the positive developments in several West African countries including steps being taken to promote human rights and encourage national stakeholders to continue to engage in dialogue in the spirit of tolerance and inclusivity. To this end, President Muhammadu Buhari has assured the ECOWAS/UN team on the election monitoring in Nigeria that his government will organise a credible election in 2019,” said Onyeama.
The minister noted that security challenges were a source of “grave” concern despite successes recorded.
Onyeama added that security and sustainability could only be achieved through the promotion of good governance and the adoption of liberal policies that would enhance greater economic cooperation in the region.
“On the political front, we will continue to accompany Guinea Bissau to ensure the conformity and the full implementation of the Conakry Accord as well as a support for the successful conduct of parliamentary, presidential elections in 2019. Furthermore, positive strides have been attained towards the resolution of the political crisis in Togo. ECOWAS will continue to support the government of The Gambia for successful transition programme,” he said.
-0- PANA MON/AR 13 Dec 2018
Nigeria is set to conduct Presidential, National Assembly, Governorship and State legislative elections next year.
Foreign Affairs minister Geoffrey Onyeama, who is also Chair of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, commended several member States in the region on efforts made in the various political, constitutional and security sector reforms to improve democracy.
“We welcome the positive developments in several West African countries including steps being taken to promote human rights and encourage national stakeholders to continue to engage in dialogue in the spirit of tolerance and inclusivity. To this end, President Muhammadu Buhari has assured the ECOWAS/UN team on the election monitoring in Nigeria that his government will organise a credible election in 2019,” said Onyeama.
The minister noted that security challenges were a source of “grave” concern despite successes recorded.
Onyeama added that security and sustainability could only be achieved through the promotion of good governance and the adoption of liberal policies that would enhance greater economic cooperation in the region.
“On the political front, we will continue to accompany Guinea Bissau to ensure the conformity and the full implementation of the Conakry Accord as well as a support for the successful conduct of parliamentary, presidential elections in 2019. Furthermore, positive strides have been attained towards the resolution of the political crisis in Togo. ECOWAS will continue to support the government of The Gambia for successful transition programme,” he said.
-0- PANA MON/AR 13 Dec 2018
