Experts on regional political and security matters, social and humanitarian affairs, diplomacy and communication, among others, are to meet in Akosombo, Ghana to review ECOWAS’ initiatives and responses to the recent security, political, and institutional crises in Mali.
The five-day “After-Action Review” exercise beginning Tuesday 4th February 2014, and organized by the ECOWAS Commission in collaboration with the Government of Ghana, will involve an in-depth examination of ECOWAS’ political, diplomatic and military responses, humanitarian support as well as the cooperation, coordination and communication initiatives in Mali.
The main objective of the meeting, which will also be attended by representatives of Civil Society organizations, research institutions and Centers of Excellence, is to dissect ECOWAS’ multifaceted interventions before and during the Malian crises with the purpose of drawing appropriate lessons for the future.
The review exercise, a follow-up to an internal ECOWAS debriefing held in Lagos last November, is expected to improve the anticipatory and response postures of the ECOWAS system to current and emergent crises in the Region, both in terms of direct intervention and relations with third party.
It is expected to lead to an improvement in ECOWAS’ Peace and Security Architecture, including the underpinning Protocols, decision-making and response mechanisms in general.
ECOWAS led regional interventions supported by the African Union, the UN and the rest of the International Community, for the resolution of the Malian crises.
Consequently, Malian territories seized by the terrorist groups following the military coup of March 2012 and rebel insurrection in the north of the country, were successfully recovered by the allied forces, spearheaded by the French and supported by troops from Chad, Mali and the African-Led International Support Mission (AFISMA) contributed mainly by ECOWAS Member States.
AFISMA mandate was transferred to the UN Multidimensional Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) from 1st July 2013, while Presidential and Legislative elections have since been held successfully as part of the ECOWAS facilitated political transition road map for the full restoration of constitutional order and the country’s territorial integrity.
