The 39th Ordinary meeting of the ECOWAS’ Mediation and Security Council (MSC) at the Ambassadorial level took place on November 23, 2023 in Abuja, Nigeria.
During the meeting, the MSC discussed the importance of creating a safer, more stable, democratic and prosperous West African region. They also acknowledged the commitment of Member States to the operationalisation of the ECOWAS peace and security architecture.
Dr. Abdel-Fatau Musah, the ECOWAS Commission’s Commissioner for Political Affairs Peace and Security (CPAPS), highlighted the progress made in ensuring sustainable and peaceful development in the region. However, he also noted the great challenges and vulnerabilities that still impede the region’s development and integration.
The Council deliberated and discussed various important topics, including the political and security situation in the region, transition processes in affected Member States, the political and security situation in Niger, humanitarian concerns, and the operationalisation of the national early warning and response mechanism.
Ambassador Musa Sani Nuhu, chair of the MSC at Ambassadorial level, urged for collective efforts to steer the region away from political, economic, and social instability.
During the meeting, Permanent Representatives of the ECOWAS Member States made several observations about mediation procedures, threats and trends, imposed sanctions, and communication strategies. Commissioner Musah provided responses to these observations.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E Omar Alieu Touray, also briefly appeared at the meeting to express the Commission’s gratitude for the work being done by the Permanent Representatives for the benefit of the ECOWAS community.
The MSC Ambassadorial meeting is a preparatory meeting where informed and constructive recommendations are expected to be scaled up for the attention of the subsequent statutory assemblies of ECOWAS, beginning with the MSC at the Ministerial level.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).