The leaders of the regional political and economic group requested a return to constitutional governance and Prof. Conde’s immediate and unconditional release during a virtual emergency summit on Wednesday [September 8].
The decision was reached during a virtual conference convened at the request of ECOWAS Chairman, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who also decided to dispatch a high-level mission to Guinea today.
Multiple media reports indicated the junta had released dozens of political inmates from the previous government as the military authorities sought popular support from the populace at the time the regional bloc was addressing the situation in Guinea.
President Akufo-Addo stated at the outset of the summit that it will be conducted to examine “our response to this clear infringement of our common charter of good governance in the region.”
He emphasized the importance of the regional group reaching an agreement on “what decision we want to take in response to the overthrow.”
President Akufo-Addo stated that the ECOWAS leadership’s response in times of crisis was the best testament to the leaders’ strength and devotion to the regional body’s goals.
He believed that the leaders did not need a lengthy opening ceremony because they all knew the major issue that had brought them together on a virtual platform.
The situation in Guinea, according to President Akufo-Addo, is “unfortunate and sad.”
The situation in Guinea, according to President Akufo-Addo, is “unfortunate and sad.”
Last Sunday, ECOWAS asked that members of Guinea’s defense and security forces who staged a coup return the country to constitutional governance, as well as the immediate and unconditional release of President Condé and all others detained as a result of the coup.
In a statement, President Akufo-Addo added, “ECOWAS demands respect for the physical safety of the President of the Republic, Professor Condé.”
“We request that the Guinean defense and security forces maintain a constitutional stance, and we express our sympathy with the Guinean people and government,” the statement continued.
