The Authority of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Governments have adopted the 2020 to 2024 Action Plan to eradicate terrorism in the sub-region with a budget of $2.3 billion.
The Authority adopted the budget implementation during its 56th Ordinary Session held in Abuja following the call for the urgent need to address the recurring terrorist attacks in member-states.
This was made known in the final communiqué read by Mr. Jean-Claude Brou, President of the ECOWAS Commission yesterday in Abuja.
According to the communiqué, the Authority agreed that out of the $2.3 billion, $1 billion would be financed from internal funds.
It stated that the Authority expressed grave concern at the resurgence of terrorist attacks, targeted at the defence, security forces, civilians and the social and economic structures and places of worship.
The ECOWAS Presidents reaffirmed their determination to leave no stone unturned in eradicating terrorism in the region, expressing solidarity with the people and governments of affected Member States.
“The money is intended for the provision of equipment to support the defence forces of Member States, training of relevant bodies and effective intelligence sharing.
“The Authority instructs the President of the Commission to immediately set up an inclusive and transparent mechanism to manage funds mobilized for the implementation of the action plan.
“The Authority further instructs the President of the Commission to ensure the speedy disbursement of the resources mobilized in other to respond efficiently to the urgent situation.
“The Authority decides to focus efforts in 2020 and 2021, on the implementation of activities expected to quickly contribute in checking the increase and spread of terrorist attacks.
“The Authority urges international partners to provide substantial support for the implementation of the action plan.
“To this end, it instructs the President of the Commission to organise as soon as possible a donor conference to mobilise funds, in addition to the internal resources identified by the Authority.
“The Authority instructs the President to build strong partnerships with all stakeholders in counter terrorism in the region. The Partnership should be built on complimentary initiatives to avoid duplication of efforts,” the communiqué stated.
According to the Communique, on the creation of the monetary union, the Authority commended the Ministerial Committee for the progress made with the implementation of the ECOWAS Single Currency Programme.
The Authority while welcoming the improved macroeconomic convergence outlook in 2019 urged member sStates to continue efforts to comply with the convergence criteria.
The Heads of States and Government adopted “ECO” as symbol for the single currency, adopting the name ” Central Bank of West Africa (CBWA)” as the name of the ECOWAS Central Bank.
On the free movement of persons and goods, the Authority reiterates the need for all Member States to fully implement the Protocol on Free Movement as it relates to the rights of entry, residence and establishment.
The Authority also took note of the challenges of the implementation of the protocol of Free Movement of Persons and Goods arising from the partial closure of the Nigerian land borders to goods.
They however urged the Tripatite Ministerial Committee comprising Benin, Niger and Nigeria to quickly conclude its work in other to resolve all existing border issues.
The Heads of States and Government also encouraged the ECOWAS Commission, in collaboration with member states to step up efforts for the implementation of regional infrastructure project.
The communiqué stated that the date of the 57th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of States and Government would be communicated at a later date, after consultations with the Heads of states and Government.