High-level ECOWAS delegation expected in Guinea to push junta on acceptable transition timetable
Conakry, Guinea (PANA) - A high-level delegation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is expected to hold talks with the military junta in Guinea to agree on a firm and acceptable timetable for a return to constitutional rule.
The Guinea-Bissau Head of State and ECOWAS chairman, Ummaru Sissoco Emballo, is expected on Wednesday in the Guinean capital, Conakry, while the new ECOWAS Mediator, former Beninese Head of State, Yayi Boni, arrived in Conakry on Tuesday. They will be joined by President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray.
According to observers, the visit is "a solemn warning" of the sub-regional organisation to Guinea, to propose "an acceptable timetable" for the transition in the country where the junta overthrew the democratically-elected regime on 5 September 2021.
The National Rally Committee for Development (CNRD) junta proposed a 39-month transition but this was reduced to 36 months by the National Transition Council (CNT). Both transition timelines have been rejected by Guinea's socio-political actors.
The ECOWAS delegation is expected to present to the Guinean junta the roadmap of the transition approved by the 61st Summit of Heads of State, held on 3 July in Accra, Ghana.
ECOWAS leaders are proposing a transition of 24 months and have given the military leaders up to the end of July to propose an acceptable timetable else economic and financial sanctions will kick in.
Several observers indicate that the arrival of the delegation ends the obstinacy of the junta, which declared a few days after it seized power that Guinea did not need an ECOWAS Special Envoy, because the country is not in crisis.
-0- PANA AC/JSG/BBA/MA 20July2022
