TheCable

President Goodluck Jonathan has appreciated the economic community of West African states (ECOWAS) for its support to his administration, urging the body to cooperate with the incoming government of Muhammadu Buhari.

Jonathan said he was delighted that democracy had come to stay in West Africa, noting that recent elections in Ghana and Senegal were largely peaceful without controversy, while polls in Benin, Sierra Leone and Togo showed tremendous progress in consolidating democracy in the sub-region.

He was speaking in Accra, capital of Ghana, during the 47th ordinary session of the ECOWAS authority of heads of state and government.

“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,” he said.

“As the new administration takes over, I am confident that the bond 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.

“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.’’

Going down memory lane, Jonathan recalled his tenure as the chairman of ECOWAS and his contributions towards restoring democracy to the republic of Niger after a military coup in 2010.

“Happily, through dogged efforts on our part, we were able to resolve it and the country returned to democratic rule,” he said.

“Gen. Salou Djibo who oversaw the return to constitutional rule in Niger is today a student at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Nigeria.

“We are also pleased that our brother, President Alassane Ouattara (Ivory Coast), 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 underscores 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 times of the crisis in the effort to return to democratic rule, maintain peace and articulate 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.”

At the session, Macky Sall, president of Senegal, was elected as new chairman of ECOWAS, taking over from President John Mahama of Ghana.