Akufo-Addo promises that ECOWAS countries under military rule will return to democracy.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reaffirmed the Economic Community of West African States' (ECOWAS) commitment to ensuring that all sub-regional countries return to democratic rule.
Akufo-Addo said at the opening ceremony of the 61st ordinary session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government on 3 July 2022 in Accra that the leaders will hear from all envoys sent to countries under military rule to determine the next steps forward.
"As you recall, on 4 June 2022, at our extraordinary summit here in Accra, we discussed extensively the political and social situation in our region, with a particular focus on the current political transitions in Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso as a result of unfortunate coups in those countries." During this ordinary summit, we decided to revisit this issue. ECOWAS remains committed to assisting these sister countries in resuming normal constitutional democratic order.
"We will have the opportunity to hear from our mediators, who will advise us on the most recent developments in these countries so that we can make appropriate decisions," the president said.
Three military takeovers in Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso, as well as an attempted coup in Guinea-Bissau, have recently occurred in the West African sub-region.
Jihadist activity has also increased in the subregion, with recent attacks in Burkina Faso near Ghana's border and in Mali.
Meanwhile, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau has been unanimously elected as the next Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, succeeding President Akufo-Addo.
ECOWAS heads of state have also lifted sanctions against Mali after the country's military leadership proposed a four-year transition plan to usher the country into democracy.
The ECOWAS special envoy to Guinea, Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, has announced his decision to resign due to the Guinean leadership's refusal to accept an envoy from the community because the country claims there is no political crisis.
Burkina's junta also proposed a constitutional referendum in December 2024, as well as legislative and presidential elections in February 2025, which were both approved.
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