Accra Summit: The strong decisions taken by Alpha Condé and his peers ...

ON THE PROPOSED ROTATION MECHANISM WITH REGARD TO THE CANDIDATURES OF MEMBER STATES FOR THE PRESIDENCY OF THE AFRICAN UNION The Assembly took note of the report on a mechanism to ensure predictability, transparency and fairness in the rotation process with regard to the candidatures of ECOWAS Member States for the Presidency of the African Union when it is the turn of ECOWAS.

The Conference pays a vibrant tribute to HE Mr.

Jorge Carlos de ALMEIDA FONSECA, President of the Republic of Cabo Verde, whose last participation in the Summit as Head of State, for his strong conviction and his action in favor of the economic integration, the entrenchment of democracy, regional peace and security.

ELECTION OF THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE CONFERENCE OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT The Heads of State and Government elected SEMNana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO, President of the Republic of Ghana, as President of the Conference of Heads of State State and Government of ECOWAS, for a new term of one year.

It also welcomes the spirit of solidarity and openness which led, during the Summit, to the signing of the Military and Technical Cooperation Agreement between the Republics of Senegal and Guinea, thus laying the foundations for imminent reopening of their borders.

With regard to maritime safety and security, the Conference reiterates its call on Member States to fully implement the measures adopted at national, regional and continental levels with the aim of ensuring maritime safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea.

Furthermore, the Conference calls on the AfDB to support the establishment of quality healthcare infrastructure and the development of pharmaceutical industries in ECOWAS countries, in particular the manufacture of vaccines.

It also takes note of the commitment of the Transitional Authorities to comply with the electoral calendar; with the presidential election scheduled for February 2022.

The Conference commends the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) for launching a facility to help African countries, including ECOWAS member countries, cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as for its support to the G5 Sahel countries aimed at strengthening national health systems.

ON PEACE, SECURITY AND DEMOCRACY The Conference reaffirms its attachment to the promotion of peace, security and stability in the region, a precondition for economic integration and development in space community.

Reaffirming their commitment to deepen the integration process in West Africa, the Heads of State and Government, at the end of their deliberations, approved the main recommendations contained in the various reports, then proceeded to the 'examination of the following specific questions: A.

The Conference mandates His Excellency Mr.

Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO, President of the Conference, to pursue her efforts with a view to the allocation of statutory posts and the effective implementation of reduction of the operational costs of ECOWAS institutions.

Mr.

Goodluck Ebele JONATHAN, Special Envoy and Mediator of ECOWAS in Mali, following his mission to Mali from June 8 to 9, 2021 in order to dialogue with stakeholders on the decisions taken by the Conference of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS at its Extraordinary Summit held on May 30, 2021 in Accra, Ghana.

She took note of the vaccination in all member states with vaccines provided by the COVAX initiative and welcomed the recent decision of the G7 to provide additional vaccines to developing countries.

The Conference takes note of the AfDB's proposal to develop an African Financial Stability Mechanism to protect the continent against external and internal shocks, and to create Security-related Investment Bonds to mobilize resources in global commodity markets.

capital to strengthen security in the ECOWAS region.

The Conference took note of the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region, which reveals a stabilization resulting from the efforts made by the Member States and the West African Health Organization (WAHO).

The Conference expresses the need to strengthen the optimization of synergies between the various security, defense and intelligence agencies in the ECOWAS region in order to facilitate rapid and appropriate responses to existing and emerging threats.

IN RESPECT OF ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF REGIONAL INTEGRATION PROGRAMS After a negative growth of 0.8% in 2020 linked to the negative effects of COVID-19, the Conference welcomes the recovery announced in 2021 with a projected GDP increase of 3.5% in 2021.

The Conference encourages the West African Health Organization to intensify its efforts with a view to mobilizing a partnership for the production of anti-COVID vaccines in the region and notes the need to introduce a biometric passport in the region.

Regarding preventive diplomacy, the Conference welcomes the reconstitution and repositioning of the ECOWAS Council of Elders in order to effectively support the efforts of preventive diplomacy and mediation of ECOWAS in the Member States.

The Conference reiterates its urgent appeals to Member States to accelerate the payment of their voluntary contributions to the Fund dedicated to the implementation of the 2020 - 2024 Action Plan for the eradication of terrorism in the region.

The Conference reiterated its commitment to the objectives of improving the performance and operational efficiency of ECOWAS institutions, in order to promote the implementation of integration programs oriented towards the economic and social development of the region.

The Conference instructs the Chairperson of the Commission to work with Member States and WAHO on modalities to accelerate the safe reopening of land borders during the pandemic, in accordance with ECOWAS harmonized guidelines for the free movement of persons and property during a pandemic..

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