President Ouattara Is New ECOWAS Chairman

17 February 2012
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Economic Community of West African States (Abuja)
press release

Abuja — The two-day 40th Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government ended in Abuja on Friday 17th February 2012 after electing President of Cote d'Ivoire, His Excellency Alassane Ouattara as the new Chairman of the Authority for the next one year.

In his acceptance speech, he congratulated his predecessor, Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan, for his quality leadership in deepening democracy and political stability in the region.

President Ouattara also commended out-going President of the ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency James Victor Gbeho and the heads of other Community Institutions for contributing to the resolution of political crises in the region, including in Cote d'Ivoire. The new ECOWAS chairman also used the occasion to outline his priorities towards perfecting the union and integration agenda for the benefit of the 15- nation Community with a combined population of more than 300 million people.

They include strengthening of regional institutions and electoral structures to deepen democracy and the rule of law. President Ouattara also said ECOWAS under his tenure would deploy necessary efforts to curb terrorism, piracy, banditry and the influx illegal arms.

The new chairman also stressed the need for the strengthening of internal solidarity among Member States to ensure that the organization speaks with one voice at international fora. On the economic front, he called for respect for Community decisions and the need to fast-track economic integration through the mechanism of a common market.

President Ouattara also affirmed that Vision 2020 of a citizen-centred ECOWAS is to be pursued with vigorously, with the effective implementation of the organization's flag-ship protocol on free movement of people, goods and right of establishment of Community citizens.

Reiterating his commitment to the future of ECOWAS and Africa, he made a strong case for Africa to be made a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Read the original article on Ecowas.

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