Day: March 26, 2022

The Horn of Africa is being ravaged by one of the worst droughts in recent history. About 10 million people in Ethiopia and Somalia – including large numbers of women, children and elderly people – are facing an existential threat caused by severe food shortages. Switzerland is gravely concerned about the current drought in the region and has allocated CHF 10.8 million to support the people affected by the crisis.

Three consecutive droughts have caused severe water shortages in the region. Livestock and crops have been lost, and the risk of disease and severe malnutrition has risen dramatically. Families are taking desperate measures to survive, and thousands are leaving their villages in search of food, water and pastureland.

The consequences of the drought are particularly devastating for vulnerable people. The drought increases the risk of gender-based violence, sexual exploitation and abuse, makes it difficult for children to access education, and leads to developmental disorders and diseases caused by malnutrition. Internally displaced people deprived of the support of their families or other social networks are even more vulnerable and in need of protection. Due to the conflict in Ukraine, there is also a risk that the prices of wheat and other staple foods will rise, further aggravating the situation of the people in Somalia and Ethiopia.

Rapid response to help people in need

To help people in need, Switzerland is contributing CHF 10.8 million to programmes run by the World Food Programme and the ICRC in Somalia and Ethiopia.

Switzerland is also replenishing emergency reserves for ongoing development projects. This rapid response allows these projects to mitigate the impact of the drought on people affected.

Switzerland is also contributing to the UN’s country-based pooled funds in Ethiopia and Somalia, which support local humanitarian partner organisations. These organisations are able to provide timely, coordinated and targeted assistance at low transaction costs.

Swiss Horn of Africa cooperation programme 2022–25

Switzerland’s contribution builds on the Swiss Horn of Africa cooperation programme 2022–25. The current programme, budgeted at CHF 215 million over the next four years, is the third instalment of the regional cooperation programme that was launched in the wake of the 2011 famine. More than 250,000 people lost their lives in Somalia alone as a result of that famine.

The programme is being implemented jointly by the FDFA (SDC and State Secretariat) and the FDJP (State Secretariat for Migration). In the Horn of Africa, Switzerland is engaged in local, national, regional and global efforts to address issues related to governance, food security, the protection of civilians/migration, and health.

Source: Government of Switzerland

1. The Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convened an Extraordinary Session in Accra, Republic of Ghana, on 25th March 2022, under the chairmanship of H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority.

2. The Extraordinary Summit was convened to review the recent political developments in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso since the last Extraordinary Summit held on 3rd February 2022 in Accra.

3. Present at the Summit were the under-listed ECOWAS Heads of State and Government or their duly mandated representatives:

H.E. Patrice TALON, President of the Republic of Benin; H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO, President of the Republic of Ghana; H.E. Umaro Sissoco EMBALO, President of the Republic of Guinea Bissau; H.E. Mohamed BAZOUM, President of the Republic of Niger; H.E. Macky SALL, President of the Republic of Senegal; H.E. Dr Isatou TOURAY, Vice-President of the Republic of The Gambia; H.E. Yemi OSINBAJO, Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Mr. Rui Alberto De Figueiredo SOARES, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Regional Integration of the Republic of Cabo Verde; Mr. Fidele SARASSORO, Minister Director of Cabinet of the President of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire, representing the President of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire; Mr. Simfeitcheou PRE, Minister and Special Advisor to the President of the Republic of Togo, representing the President of the Republic of Togo; H.E. Al Hassan CONTEH, Ambassador of the Republic of Liberia to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, representing the President of the Republic of Liberia; H.E. Francess Virginia ANDERSON, High Commissioner of the Republic of Sierra Leone to Ghana, representing the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone.

4. The Summit was also attended by:

? H.E. Dr Goodluck Ebele JONATHAN, ECOWAS Mediator for Mali, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; ? H.E. Jean-Claude Kassi BROU, President of the ECOWAS Commission; ? H.E. Abdoulaye DIOP, President of the UEMOA Commission; ? Mr El Ghassim WANE, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in Mali and Head of MINUSMA; ? Dr James AJI, UNOWAS Liaison Officer to ECOWAS, representing Mr.

Mahamat Saleh ANNADIF, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel.

1. The Heads of State and Government considered the report presented by H.E. Dr. Goodluck Ebele JONATHAN on the situation in Mali and the reports of the Ministerial Missions to Guinea and Burkina Faso presented by Hon. Shirley Ayorkor BOTCHWEY, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of Ghana and Chair of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers.

2. They also considered the memoranda on the political and security situations in Burkina Faso, Guinea and Mali presented by H.E. Jean-Claude Kassi BROU, President of the ECOWAS Commission.

3. The Authority commends the quality of the reports presented and took note of the recommendations contained therein.

On the social and political situation in Mali

1. The Authority notes that the security and humanitarian situation in Mali continues to deteriorate with attacks by terrorist groups resulting in military and civilian casualties.

2. It notes that during the last mission of the ECOWAS Mediator to Mali from 18th to 20th March 2022, the Transition Authorities proposed a 24-month timetable, that is, two (2) years in addition to the 18 months that have already elapsed.

3. The Authority notes that, in view of the global political and security situation, there is an urgent need to reach an agreement in order to avoid further deterioration of the situation in the country.

4. The Authority regrets the non-availability of the President of the Transition to physically honour the invitation extended to him to participate in the Summit in order to find a solution to the current situation in Mali.

5. The Authority congratulates and commends the efforts made by the ECOWAS Mediator with a view to obtaining a consensual timetable to ensure a quick return to constitutional order, in accordance with the ECOWAS and African Union protocols and decisions.

6. In light of the foregoing, the Authority urges the Transition Authorities to adhere to the additional period of 12 to 16 months which has been agreed by the joint technical team ECOWAS/AU/UN for the extension of the transition with effect from 15th March 2022, taking into account the activities required for the conduct of the presidential elections. The Authority decides to send the Mediator to Mali to continue and finalise the discussions on the chronogramme with the Transition Authorities.

7. Furthermore, the Authority decides to:

a. uphold the sanctions imposed on 9th January 2022;

b. continue the dialogue with a view to reaching an agreement to ensure a gradual lifting of the sanctions;

c. call on partners to increase their humanitarian support to Mali;

8. The Authority expresses deep concern about the deteriorating security situation in Mali. The Authority urges the Transition Authorities to step up efforts to enhance security in the country and reiterates its call on Member States and the Commission to accompany the efforts of the Transition Authorities in this regard.

On the social and political situation in Guinea

1. The Authority expresses serious concern over the lack of visibility on the transition. It notes that the six-month deadline set by ECOWAS for the conduct of elections has not been respected. Furthermore, the transition timetable is still not available, priorities have not been set and little progress has been made in the transition process. Similarly, the socio-political situation is deteriorating due to insufficient dialogue between the government and political stakeholders and civil society actors.

2. Consequently, the Authority:

a. Demands the finalisation of an acceptable transition timetable no later than 25th April 2022. After this deadline, economic and financial sanctions will be immediately applied;

b. calls on the government to promote the inclusiveness and dialogue with the political stakeholders and civil society actors in handling the transition in order to reduce tension in the country and ensure a peaceful transition;

c. urges the Transition Authorities to comply with the laws and regulations in the process of recovering the presumed state assets.

3. In view of the socio-political crisis and the urgent need to facilitate dialogue between all stakeholders, the Authority reaffirms the decision to appoint a Facilitator.

On the social and political situation in Burkina Faso

1. The Authority expresses deep concern at the continued detention of former President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré since the coup d’Etat, in spite of several appeals for his unconditional release. The Authority further notes that the transition authorities are struggling to improve the security situation in the country and find solutions to the humanitarian situation.

2. Similarly, the Authority remains very concerned about the duration of the transition period set for thirty-six (36) months by the Transition Charter.

3. In this regard, and in accordance with the Communiqué issued by the Extraordinary Summit of 3rd February 2022, the Authority:

a. reiterates its strong condemnation of the coup d’Etat of 24 January 2022;

b. demands the immediate and unconditional release of President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré;

c. decides to uphold the suspension of Burkina Faso from all ECOWAS institutions until constitutional order is restored;

d. demands the finalisation of an acceptable transition timetable no later than 25th April 2022. After this deadline, economic and financial sanctions will be immediately applied;

e. calls on the International Community to strengthen its humanitarian support to Burkina Faso.

4. Furthermore, the Authority decides to appoint a Mediator for Burkina Faso to facilitate dialogue among all stakeholders and ensure a smooth transition.

5. The Authority urges the Transition Authorities to step up efforts to enhance security in the country and calls on Member States and the Commission to accompany the efforts of the Transition Authorities in this regard.

6. Finally, the Authority calls on the African Union, the United Nations and all bilateral and multilateral partners to continue to support ECOWAS measures in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso, to maintain peace and stability in our Region.

7. At the end of their deliberations, the Heads of State and Government expressed their deep gratitude to H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana and Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, for his leadership in ensuring the success of the Summit.

Source: ECOWAS