Abuja-Nigeria — The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Ambassador James Gbeho, has received the Letters of Credence of four Ambassadors accredited to ECOWAS as permanent representatives to the regional institution.

The envoys are Mr. Job Obiang Esono Mbengono of Equatorial Guinea, Ms. Selma Ashipala-Musavyi of Namibia, Mr. Ali Rifat Koksal of Turkey and Mr Zoran Jovanovic of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). At separate and brief accreditation ceremonies on Friday, 6th May 2011 in Abuja, the Ambassadors expressed their desires to collaborate with ECOWAS and contribute to the realization of the integration objectives of the organization. In his own remarks, Ambassador Gbeho expressed the hope that their appointments would further encourage the development of initiatives that would accelerate the pace of integration in West Africa, for the greater well-being of the peoples of the region.

While stressing the new vision of a people-oriented ECOWAS, the President of the Commission highlighted some key areas where cooperation between the institution, the three countries and ICRC could better serve the interests of the citizens of West Africa. He thanked the governments of the countries and the management of the ICRC for the appointments of the Ambassadors and prayed that their appointments would reinforce the cooperation between them and ECOWAS.