FINAL COMMUNIQUE OF THE ECOWAS
Pursuant to the decisions of the Conference of the Heads of State and the Government of June 4th, 2016 in Dakar in Republic of Senegal and at the request of Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Chairperson of the Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS Conference, a High Level Delegation led by the ECOWAS Mediator, His Excellency Alpha CONDE, President of the Republic of Guinea, accompanied by His Excellency Ernest Bai KOROMA, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, come to Guinea Bissau on September 10th 2016 in order to find solutions to the political and economic crisis in Guinea Bissau.
In this context, the presidential mission held a working meeting with His Excellency José Mario Vaz, President of the Republic of Guinea Bissau, at the Presidential Palace. On this occasion, the President VAZ welcomed peers in Guinean territory and praised their good offices.
He exposed them thoroughly the situation by indicating that it is committed to implementing crisis plans agreed with all parties in the best interests of the nation and national unity in order to restore peace, ensure the proper functioning of institutions and ensure a better life to the Guinean populations.
The presidential mission then had very fruitful discussions on ways and means to end the crisis with:
– The Prime Minister ;
– The President of the National Popular Assembly ;
– The Group of 15 deputies dissident of PAIGC ;
– The PAIGC ;
– The PRS ;
– And the other parties with seats in Parliament.
After all the consultations, the crisis plan proposed by the ECOWAS ministerial mission was adopted unanimously and in full. This plan is based on the six (6) following items:
1. Gather all stakeholders inclusive dialogue around a table based on a platform bringing together the 15 dissident MPs , the PAIGC , the PRS , the other parties , civil society and religious and traditional leaders ;
2. Form an inclusive consensus government for the implementation of the outcome of the round table platform to run the country until the next elections in 2018 ;
3. Engage the reform of the constitution, electoral laws, the party charter, the reform of the territorial administration and the strengthening of justice for more credibility. It appears from the analysis of 43 years of independence that no Head of State elected not able to finish one term and no government could conduct its program on a warrant. It will redefine the role of the executive, the role of Parliament and the role of the judiciary ;
4. Establish a monitoring and evaluation mechanism with three (3) levels ;
– Transform the Office of the Special Envoy of ECOWAS in Guinea Bissau in a permanent office with a monitoring team of the platform program ;
– Strengthen the role of mediator with his involvement in his conciliatory role of the different parties to the conflict,
– Create a ministerial committee under the aegis of the President of the Council of ECOWAS Ministers for periodic assessment (quarterly) for the implementation of the program from the platform.
5. Implement the Reform of Defense and Security Program in Abuja after a review involving the coordinator of the Program and the defense minister of Guinea Bissau ;
6. Proceed to the gradual demobilization within six months of ECOMIB after the formation of a contingent of the Guinean army to supply ECOMIB in its protection of institutions and high officials of the state.
The Presidential Mission calls on the PAIGC, the 15 dissident MPs, the PRS, the civil society, religious and traditional leaders and all citizens of Guinea Bissau, to provide their continued support for consistent implementation of this crisis plan.
Finally, the Presidential Mission expresses its profound thanks to Higher Authorities of Guinea Bissau and People for the warm and fraternal that was reserved for him on the occasion of this visit mediation.
Done at Bissau, September 10th, 2016
Have signed,
His Excellency Alpha CONDE,
President of the Republic of Guinea,
ECOWAS Mediator
His Excellency Ernest Bai KOROMA,
President of the Republic of Sierra Leone
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