Africa ECOWAS Peace Support Evaluation Exercise Ends in Accra

29 November 2011
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Economic Community of West African States (Abuja)
press release

Accra — The ECOWAS Standby Force Command-Post Exercise (ESF CPX) code-named JIGUI III has ended in Accra, Ghana after a week-long series of activities including mapping and simulation of worst-case scenario conflict situations in a fictitious Island Republic.

Participants were required to follow best practices in dealing with human rights, civilian protection as well as legal, security, gender and related humanitarian issues with emphasis on team work. The ESF Force comprising civilian, military and police components showcased the setting of a modern Peace Support Operation (PSO), and the capabilities for quick and seamless deployment when the need arises.

A Special Representative of the President of the Commission, Professor Oumar Ndongo, who is also the Secretary General of the West African Civil Society Forum (WASCOF), played the role of Head of the ECOWAS Mission in Carana (ECOMIC) deployed at the request of the Government of the fictitious Island Republic under a training scenario accord known as Galasi Agreement.

The exercise was aimed at testing and evaluating the ECOWAS PSO Doctrine, Standing Operating Procedures (SOP), as well as inter- and intra-operability among Mission components -military, police, civilian, and Mission Support. It also highlighted possible shortcomings in communication and weak human capacity, elements that must be addressed to ensure effective capacity building for different ESF components.

At a closing ceremony Friday 25th November 2011, on behalf of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Major Gen. Mahamane Toure, who chaired the exercise, emphasized that involving civilians is essential for integrated peace support operations. The 1999 ECOWAS Protocol on the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security, and the Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance of 2001, highlighted the importance of a civilian component of PSO and guidelines for civilian control.

Meanwhile, one of the participants, Major Abdoulaye Touray, from the Gambian Army, passed away during the Accra exercise on 22nd November after a brief illness. His remains have since been conveyed home for burial.

Read the original article on Ecowas.

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