West African defense chiefs are scheduled to meet Monday to review the constitution of regional troops expected to be deployed to Mali and Guinea Bissau.
Sonny Ugoh, the communications director at the Economic community of West African States (ECOWAS) said the committee of defense ministers will come up with solutions to some of the security challenges in the two countries.
"They are going to use the opportunity of this meeting to review preparations for deployments in Guinea Bissau and in Mali," said Ugoh.
ECOWAS heads of state and government have agreed to send about 630 regional standby troops to Guinea Bissau while about 3000 will be deployed to Mali.
"What we are waiting for is a request from the government of Mali so that elements of the standby force can go in there to reinforce Mali's national army in order to deal with the security [situation] they have in the north," said Ugoh.
"In the case of Guinea Bissau, a decision has already been determined. It's just that we have to look at the final details… prior to deployment. There are discussions going on in Guinea Bissau with stakeholders to see how we can resolve the political crisis there."
ECOWAS protocol stipulates that its standby force could be deployed after a formal request is made by a member state.
Ugoh said ECOWAS' standby force will relieve Angolan soldiers in Guinea Bissau "under a bilateral agreement the government and the government of Angola in order to provide some technical assistance within the context of defense and security sector reform."
He said the standby force will also secure the institutions of state as well as help Guinea Bissau organize elections to replace deceased President Malam Bacai Sanha.
Over the weekend, ECOWAS' envoys and Mali's military junta failed to agree on who will head a transitional government. But Ugoh said the sub-regional bloc is not discouraged by the stalemate.
"We will continue to hold discussions with them. That is the beauty of engagement: you disagree and then continue to discuss and then try and see how you can resolve the outstanding issues and on that basis you can come to an agreement," Ugoh said
He said Monday's meeting forms part of the sub-regional bloc's plans to restore constitutional order in both Mali and Guinea Bissau.
No comments:
Post a Comment