The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has welcomed the intervention by French troops in crisis-torn Mali, where Islamic rebel groups are in control of the northern part of the country.
However, with France's assistance, the Malian government has regained control over the central town of Konna.
President of the ECOWAS Commission, Ambassador Kadre Desiré Ouédraogo, according to a statement at the weekend, lamented that efforts to find solutions to the political crisis in Mali have not yielded result as the situation deteriorated further in the past few days.
"The commission reiterates its support and encouragement to the Malian Defence and Security Forces' commitment to take all necessary measures to repel this attack. It commends the efforts of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff in the implementation of Resolution 2085 of the UN Security Council," he said.
He cautioned against any action by any group or individual to derail the transition process warning that such an act would be met with sanctions.
He added that measures would be taken to implement the decision of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, which authorised the immediate deployment of troops in Mali.
Meanwhile, the Authority of Heads of State and Government has urged the Transitional Authority of Mali to expedite action on the establishment of an agency responsible for political dialogue with rebel groups, which renounced terrorism and violence and recognised the territorial integrity and secularity of Mali.
It also authorised the immediate deployment of troops to assist the Malian army defend the territorial integrity of the country to conform to the UN Security Council Resolution 2085.
In a statement by the Chairman, President Alassane Ouattarra of Cote d'Ivoire, the body lamented the attempt by the rebels to capture Konna and progress southwards towards positions held by the Mali government troops.
"Authority thanks the Security Council members and the French government for their expeditious reaction aimed to stabilise the military situation in Mali. Authority commends the Malian Defence and Security Forces for their efforts to repel the advances by the terrorists and hails the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff for its exemplary mobilisation," he added.
Comments Post a comment
The budgets of the African nations for military defense are higher than those for social services yet unable to face terrorism. What a shame the whole Africa applauding the intervention of one European country. How long are we going to be dependence in our independence?
This is the beginning the Scrambble of Africa part 2. First it's Libya and now its Mali and theres no telling who's next. The European imperialist never regonized the Independence and sovereignty of African nations. Africa is still under strict colonization and whats taking place in Mali proves it. First it was the Trans Atlantic Slave in which Africans were just thrown around the Americas with no regard, then it was the 1st Scrambble of Africa, and now we are witnessing the Second Scramble of Africa. I guess history always repeats itself.
France has destroyed Africa as far back as I can remember . Its colonies on the continent are just pulling down the continent . There isn't any of them that can raise its head in the committee of important nations in Africa . France managed to include Libya in its Africa destroying mission. Being a very weak country militarily it has started crying for African help because the Malian terrorists are very skilful, tactical , well armed and very mobile . When weak France was jumping into Mali did they bother to ask Ecowas ? They quickly fraudulently claimed to have gotten U.N. endorsement . Now they are facing difficulties at the war-front and like cry-babies are asking for help. Ecowas should abandon them in Mali to suffer economic doom, shame and defeat and when the French are retreating in shame and disgrage , Ecowas should then move in and pick the spoils . It would be cheaper for Ecowas in terms of money and loss of human lives . When France is taught a lesson in Mali they will permanently stop interfering in African affairs and pull their fake military bases out of our continent .