IN what has been interpreted as an open admission of the fact that security threat to the region has reached monumental proportion, leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Thursday affirmed their commitment to fight terrorism in their areas.

Also, the Authority of Heads of State has given the incumbent President of Cote d’Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara, another one-year tenure as chairman of the 15-member- organisation.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s diplomatic missives on continental leadership, which was recently re-circulated, bore a major fruit yesterday as the leaders unanimously endorsed her candidature for the position of non-permanent member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council (UNSC).

At the end of their 42nd ordinary summit yesterday evening in Yamousoukro, Cote d’Ivoire, the leaders endorsed the ECOWAS counter-terrorism strategy and implementation plan alongside the political declaration on a common position against terrorism.

Acknowledging high-level security threat, the leaders also declared their “determination” to combat piracy, illegal and irregular fishing, drug trafficking and other forms of transnational organised crime in the Gulf of Guinea.

The leaders urged the transitional authorities in Mali to expedite action on the establishment of the National Commission on Reconciliation and Dialogue in order to promote, through the broadest possible representation, national reconciliation and restoration of sustainable peace, which are pre-requisites for the conduct of free, fair, transparent and inclusive elections.

A major decision was also reached in the health sector, where anti-malaria drug manufacturing plants and laboratories have been approved to be cited in Nigeria, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire. The malaria fight reached commendable heights in this regard last year with the signing of a tripartite agreement between ECOWAS, Cuba and Venezuela.

On Guinea Bissau, the authority urged President Manuel Serfo Nhamajo to propose a technically-feasible draft of revised transitional road-map to the country’s National Assembly for the preparation and conduct of free, fair and transparent general elections before the end of 2013.

In this regard, the leaders exhorted the National Assembly to adopt, as soon as possible, the said draft road-map and requested the Regional Contact Group on Guinea Bissau to ensure follow-up.

There is already on ground the ECOWAS Mission in Guinea Bissau (ECOMIB). In extending the transitional period in Guinea Bissau till December 31 this year, the leaders welcomed the imminent commencement of the implementation of the Defence and Security Sector Programme (DSSRP) in Guinea Bissau within the frame-work of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the country and ECOWAS.

The strategy on counter-terrorism is expected to facilitate the implementation of regional, continental and international instruments in combating terrorism and provide a common operational frame-work for community-wide action to prevent and eradicate terrorism and related acts.

It is also meant to enhance co-ordination among member-states, strengthen national and regional capacities to detect, deter, intercept and prevent terrorism, promote criminal justice approach, prevent and combat violent religious extremism, harmonise responses and promote regional and international co-operation on terrorism.

The next ordinary summit holds in Abuja on a date to be determined after consultations by the chairman of authority.

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=114842:ecowas-heads-of-state-admit-high-level-insecurity&catid=1:national&Itemid=559

Giant of Africa.

Space for sale

all the best my country!
Liberating other countries from terrorism but couldn't perform the internal task of liberation.
Just like a lantern than lightens the room but has a darkness around its base.

Hmmn OK.

Nigeria does not av d technological know how 2 free herself 4m terrrist*till we take d bull by d horns n arrest buhari n d top guys*bombing tym continues

we never secure our country finish, anyways go Naija go.

Nigerians the international peace makers, the keep peace abroad bt never at home. Kudos to my country. Proudly Nigerian

Congratulation! Ant of Africa.

Tolexander: all the best my country!
Liberating other countries from terrorism but couldn't perform the internal task of liberation.
Just like a lantern than lightens the room but has a darkness around its base.

The people who made this happen know better . . .so take the next seat on the bench. . . .

jmaine:

The people who made this happen know better . . .so take the next seat on the bench. . . .

and continue to watch sippping my alomo?

Ok

Tolexander: and continue to watch sippping my alomo?

Abeg mix camphor inside, he go relax your nerves wella while the highness no go get rival

Where is Cap28 . . .

Space reserved

Would this be another reason the CIA subverts Nigeria?

.

All these one is bullshitt.
What we want is the permanent seat in the UN SECURITY COUNCIL,if it is ever coming to africa.
Nothing else would do.

so what are we supposed to do?
A. Thrash the news
b. Rejoice
c. Be indifferent
d. Be sad
e. Be grateful and to who?
F. Be dissappointed.
Will this stop the bombings in Naija?

hbpeze: Nigeria does not av d technological know how 2 free herself 4m terrrist*till we take d bull by d horns n arrest buhari n d top guys*bombing tym continues

You are very STUPID. I pray your children don't inherit your stupidity. If they do, Nigeria is in trouble cos we can't afford having more of your kind.

I said STUP.ID not silly.

Tolexander: all the best my country!
Liberating other countries from terrorism but couldn't perform the internal task of liberation.
Just like a lantern than lightens the room but has a darkness around its base.

Do you think it is easy to fight terrorism at home?
Can Northern Nigeria withstand the full strength of the Nigerian military,without creating casualities in the millions?
Talk with sense,next time.

sheyie2007: Space for sale

How much?

Will our membership in the Security Council guarantee us 24/7 electricity?
Will it end or at least reduce corruption?
Will it stop terrorism?
Will it strengthen the education sector that's in comatose?
Will it bring in investors?
Most importantly, will it put food on the table for Nigerians?


If NO, we're grateful for the consideration, but we don't want

safarigirl: Will our membership in the Security Council guarantee us 24/7 electricity?
Will it end or at least reduce corruption?
Will it stop terrorism?
Will it strengthen the education sector that's in comatose?
Will it bring in investors?
Most importantly, will it put food on the table for Nigerians?


If NO, we're grateful for the consideration, but we don't want

A permanent seat in the UN SECURITY COUNCIL will solve many of these.

Do we need this?

solomon111: A permanent seat in the UN SECURITY COUNCIL will solve many of these.

mr solomon, UNSC permanent member!!!!,U must be joking, cos that position is not for sale or even extension till the next century.

Chartey:
You are very STUPID. I pray your children don't inherit your stupidity. If they do, Nigeria is in trouble cos we can't afford having more of your kind.

oboy! See finishing . . . . LMAO