NIGERIA: The 40th ordinary summit of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) starts in Abuja

Record ID: 235491

  • Title: NIGERIA: The 40th ordinary summit of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) starts in Abuja
  • Date: 17th February 2012
  • Summary: ABUJA, NIGERIA (FEBRUARY 16, 2012) (REUTERS) ( ** BEWARE FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **) NIGERIA'S PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN ARRIVING FOR ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES (ECOWAS) SUMMIT VARIOUS OF PRESIDENT JONATHAN AND ECOWAS PRESIDENT, JAMES VICTOR GHEBO AND OTHER HEADS OF STATE SEATED DOWN VARIOUS OF DELEGATES AT SUMMIT (SOUNDBITE) (English) NIGERIA'S PRESIDENT, GOODLUCK JONATHAN SAYING: "We are also witnessing a lot of crises in some parts of the sub-region because of the crises we have in the Sahel region, the free flow of small arms and light weapons and of course a number of countries are facing different forms of threats including Nigeria. In the gulf of Guinea, the increasing incidence of piracy has reached a worrisome dimension. This is compounded with drug trafficking, oil bunkering and human trafficking. All of these require urgent and concerted actions." MORE OF DELEGATES JOURNALISTS GUINEA'S PRESIDENT ALPHA CONDE MORE OF DELEGATES (SOUNDBITE) (English) PRESIDENT OF ECOWAS, JAMES VICTOR GBEHO SAYING: "Consequently, we have relentlessly pursued the goal of ensuring food security in the region through the faithful implementation of the regional agricultural and environmental policies. Indeed, in recognition of the regional efforts, the European Union has chosen West Africa as the pilot region for sustained assistance to ensure food security." VARIOUS OF LIBERIA'S PRESIDENT'S ELLEN JOHNSON SIRLEAF AND JONATHAN AT SUMMIT MORE OF GUESTS VARIOUS OF PRESIDENTS TAKING GROUP PICTURE AFTER MEETING
  • Embargoed: 3rd March 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Nigeria, Nigeria
  • Country: Nigeria
  • Topics: International Relations,Economy
  • Reuters ID: LVAEPP93C9NNFU9ZS6FL8ZQ5ZK56
  • Story Text: Leaders of the West African regional body, ECOWAS approved on Thursday (February 16), humanitarian aid worth 3 million US dollars for victims of the food and security crisis in the Sahel region, at the opening of the 40th ordinary summit in Nigeria's capital, Abuja.
    Outgoing ECOWAS chairman, Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan urged member states to work together to tackle issues facing the region including food shortage and insecurity.
    The northern region of Mali has been plagued for months by clashes between Malian forces and Tuareg rebels, who are fighting to create an independent north, boosted by ethnic allies, who returned to Mali after fighting for Muammar Gaddafi in Libya, causing thousands to flee their homes.
    According to a U.N report realised on Thursday, the Libyan civil war may have given militant groups in Africa's Sahel region like Boko Haram and al Qaeda access to large weapons caches.
    "We are also witnessing a lot of crises in some parts of the sub-region because of the crises we have in the Sahel region, the free flow of small arms and light weapons and of course a number of countries are facing different forms of threats including Nigeria. In the gulf of Guinea, the increasing incidence of piracy has reached a worrisome dimension. This is compounded with drug trafficking, oil bunkering and human trafficking. All of these require urgent and concerted actions," Jonathan said.
    The two day summit is also expected to discuss upcoming elections in member countries, Senegal, Mali, Sierra Leone and Ghana.
    Violent clashes between protesters and the police have already mired the run up to polls in Senegal.
    The issue of food security in the Sahel region where food aid agencies are warning of famine dominated the first day of talks. ECOWAS president, James Victor Gbeho said efforts to come up with long term sustainable solutions for food production across the region were key.
    "Consequently, we have relentlessly pursued the goal of ensuring food security in the region through the faithful implementation of the regional agricultural and environmental policies. Indeed, in recognition of the regional efforts, the European Union has chosen West Africa as the pilot region for sustained assistance to ensure food security," he said.
    Representatives and presidents of the 15 member state body are also expected to choose a new chairman of the ECOWAS commission.
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