PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN'S ADDRESS TO THE 47TH ORDINARY SESSION
OF AUTHORITY OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT OF ECOWAS IN ACCRA,
GHANA, MAY 19, 2015.
Your Excellency, President John Dramani Mahama,
President of the Republic of Ghana, and Chairman of the
Authority of Heads of State and Government;
Your Excellencies, Brother Heads of State and Government;
Your Excellency, the President of the ECOWAS Commission;
Honourable Ministers;
ECOWAS Commissioners
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen;
Mr. Chairman,
I
must start this brief remark by expressing my profound appreciation to
you, the Government and People of Ghana for the warm reception accorded
me and my delegation since our arrival here in Accra. The traditionally
warm hospitality that has been extended, inspires admiration of the
brotherly people of Ghana. It also certainly underscores the committed,
forthright and exemplary leadership that you have personally offered
our sub-region since assuming the Chairmanship of the ECOWAS Authority
of Heads of State and Government.
Similarly, may I
also thank the President of the ECOWAS Commission for the earnest
efforts that went into the convening of this 47th Ordinary Summit of
ECOWAS. It is no wonder that our Organisation continues to move from
strength to strength in the face of both the strong leadership provided
by our Chairman and the tireless work of the Commission under its
President and staff.
As we are all aware, this Summit
coincides with the 40th Anniversary of the establishment of our
Organisation. I believe that this milestone calls for acknowledgement of
the exceptional vision of the founding fathers which has inspired a
united approach to addressing our common challenges. Unity of purpose
and action has enabled us to build our strength as we move forward to
enhanced sub-regional cooperation and integration. The significant
progress we have made so far, can only be sustained and built upon
through even closer consultations, collaboration and cohesion amongst
us.
With regard to our integration agenda, it must be said
that we have achieved considerable progress.We have gone beyond our
Protocol on Free Movement of Persons and Goods, to the harmonisation of
trade and our customs codes. The achievement of the ECOWAS Common
External Tariff and Trade Liberalisation Scheme, are vital sign posts in
the Convergence Criteria required for our Common Currency regime. In
our resolve to further enhance trade and facilitate transportation, work
is in progress on the construction of the Lagos-Abidjan Highway which
will be complemented by the implementation of the Joint Border Posts
Reconstruction Projects across our borders. In the last few months, for
instance, President Boni Yayi and I were able to lay the foundation
stone of the Joint Border Post between our two countries at Seme border.
My
country, Nigeria, remains fully committed to the goal of an integrated
and single West African community of nations and people.We have,
therefore, spared no efforts in ensuring the early detection of conflict
and in taking necessary measures for its elimination in our
sub-region. We do so on the strong conviction that without peace, there
will be no development; and that our peoples cannot be weaned out of
poverty and deprivation without development.
I have profound
satisfaction and pride, especially when I see the remarkable progress
that we have achieved together for our sub-region.Our exertions in the
quest for solutions to the political and security challenges that
occasionally threaten the peace and stability of our nations is the
hallmark of our common resolve to achieve our integration agenda.
Indeed, our outstanding record on this score remains a model for all of
Africa's other sub-regional Organisations.
I recall that as
Acting President, I became the Chairman of ECOWAS in 2010.This was a
unique honour from my colleagues for which I remain grateful. The first
challenge that we confronted was the situation in Niger. Happily,
through dogged efforts on our part, we were able to resolve it and the
country returned to democratic rule. General Salou Djibo who oversaw
the return to constitutional rule in Niger is today a student at Ahmadu
Bello University in Zaria, Nigeria.
In Cote D'Ivore, ECOWAS
followed through in its commitment to enduring democracy by standing
firm behind the winner of the Presidential elections in 2010.We are
pleased that our brother, President Alassane Ouattara took his rightful
place and went on not only to provide leadership to his country, but
also as Chairman of ECOWAS.
Similarly, in both Guinea and
Guinea Bissau, we remained focused on the goal of ensuring that viable
political solutions were found for the political and security challenges
that they were experiencing.That peace and stability and democratic
governance have returned to these brotherly countries underscore our
commitment to finding viable solutions to the problems of our
Sub-region.
As Co-mediator, I visited Mali and met with all the
stakeholders in early and difficult time of the crisis in the effort
towards return to democratic rule, maintenance of peace and articulation
of a viable political process.Nigeria participated in all the
negotiations and meetings coordinated by ECOWAS at various venues that
eventually produced a political timetable for the holding of democratic
elections in Mali. Therefore, let me take this opportunity to
felicitate with our brother, President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, the
Government and people of Mali for the historic Peace and Reconciliation
Agreement signed in Bamako on 15th May, 2015, by all parties. It is our
hope that this Accord will signal the end of the Malian crisis.
With
respect to the situation in Burkina Faso, fully aware of the serious
consequence for stability in the region, our Chairman, President Mahama,
President Sall and myself paid a consultative visit to Burkina Faso to
engage on a plan of action to return the country to
constitutionality.This initial engagement was subsequently followed-up
by necessary ECOWAS mechanisms which assisted in calming the then tense
political situation. I, therefore, urge that the stakeholders stay firm
on the political roadmap that has been agreed by all parties.
Your
Excellencies, the consolidation of democracy, the elevation of the rule
of law and the deepening culture of good governance across our
sub-region today, is the product of our solidarity and the growing
effectiveness and integrity of the institutions and mechanisms that we
have put in place. The elections in Ghana and Senegal were largely
peaceful on their own without controversy and indicate a maturation of
democracy in our sub-region. Equally, in Benin, Sierra Leone and now in
Togo, we have made tremendous progress in consolidating democracy in
our sub-region.
Permit me therefore to congratulate my
brother, His Excellency, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe, on his recent
re-election as President of the Republic of Togo.The successful conduct
of that election devoid of violence and held in a free, fair and
credible manner further confirms that democracy has indeed come to stay
in our sub-region. We look forward to the same happy and tranquil
outcome in all the member states where elections will also take place
later in the year and subsequently.
Your Excellencies, while
we are making real progress in many core areas, there are issues that
require our attention.In the past few years, we have witnessed a growing
wave of young men and women from our sub-region undertaking very
perilous journeys across the Sahara desert and the Mediterranean Sea to
Europe. The phenomenon, given its hazardous nature, has claimed many
lives and assumed humanitarian crisis. ECOWAS in the first instance,
should earnestly address this problem. I also urge that this matter be
tabled at the forthcoming 24th Summit of the African Union in June in
South Africa. At the level of member states, we should take necessary
action to address the root causes of the crisis
Occasionally,
our decision-making mechanisms which should, naturally, inform our
consensual positions on matters that touch on our collective and
sub-regional interests is not always upheld.Occasionally, our solidarity
seems to face severe tests in the face of individual discretions on
critical issues. I recall here our disparate positions and actions at
crucial moments on the crisis in Cote d'Ivoire in 2011, and also, the
choice of a candidate for the post of President of the African Union in
2012.
Again, at our last Session in Abuja, it was
resolved, after due deliberations, that ECOWAS should adopt a single
candidate for the post of President of the African Development Bank
(AfDB). Today, we have no less than four candidates from our sub-region
alone vying for the post as against four candidates representing the
other four regions of the continent.Our experience with the Economic
Partnership Agreement (EPA), with the European Union (EU) is yet another
example.
This recurring disposition elicits negative signals
from our partners and other regions of the continent.It goes against
the grain of the solidarity we all too often, display in dealing with
other challenges. We must rise above it in the larger interest of our
sub-region.
Your Excellencies, as you are no doubt
aware, this is the last Summit that I will be attending as the President
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.In 10 days time, precisely on the
29th of this month, my successor, President-elect, Gen Muhammadu Buhari,
will assume the mantle of leadership of my country. I feel deeply
satisfied that the tree of democracy planted in my country and in our
sub-region, has taken roots and is blossoming. I have, no doubt
whatsoever, that under the watchful guidance and nurturing of Your
Excellencies, that tree will continue to bear abundant fruits.
Let
me, therefore, seize the opportunity to express my profound
appreciation for the understanding and cooperation that you accorded me
all these years, especially during my tenure as the Chairman of our
Organisation between 2010-2012. The personal rapport and chemistry that I
have enjoyed with each one of you, my brother and sister Presidents
greatly facilitated the decisions that we were able to take and the
concrete measures we took on behalf of our sub-region. As the new
Administration takes over, I am confident that the bonds of friendship
between Nigeria and each member state of our cherished Organisation and
Nigeria's role within ECOWAS, will grow even stronger. I urge you all to
extend the same friendship and fraternal cooperation that I have
received from you to my successor.
Once again, Your
Excellencies, I thank you for your friendship and the unalloyed
support.I wish you well as you steer the affairs of our sub-region. The
future of our Organisation and West Africa is in good, safe and capable
hands. I shall, even out of office, continue to give my modest support
to our noble cause of unity, peace, stability and development of our
sub-region.
I thank you.