The West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) is the umbrella network of civil society organizations from the 15 member countries of ECOWAS. WACSOF envisions a well organized and vibrant civil society in West Africa and a stable and prosperous West African region.
Press Release
WACSOF Commends Peaceful Elections in Senegal, Congratulates President-Elect
Abuja, 26/03/2024 – The West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF), the umbrella body of civil society organisations in West Africa, commends the smooth conduct of Presidential Elections in Senegal, held on Sunday, March 24, 2024 and extends its warmest congratulations to the winner and President Elect of Senegal, Mr. Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
WACSOF recognizes and applauds the efforts of the people of Senegal in upholding democratic values and principles through the peaceful conduct of the elections. This is especially commendable in view of the political turbulence and mass protests in the build-up to the elections over the past three years. The high voter turnout for the polls is a testament to the timeless commitment of the Senegalese people to uphold their long-established traditions of political resilience and democratic consensus building.
We take note of the very strong rhetoric of President Elect Diomaye in favour of strengthening ECOWAS and its role in regional economic development as opposed to extra-regional influences in the political economy of the region. Such a strong position from leaders of ECOWAS Member States is desirable, and very much needed, for effective implementation of the ECOWAS Vision 2050.
As an organization dedicated to promoting popular democracy, good governance, and the rule of law in West Africa, WACSOF stands in solidarity with the people of Senegal as they embark on this new chapter under the leadership of President-Elect Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
Kop’ep Dabugat
General Secretary, West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF)
[30/01/2024]– The West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF), the umbrella body of the civil society organizations in the West African region, expresses grave concern over the decision of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to exit the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This action seems hasty as it does not take into account the established international procedure and norms governing the withdrawal of any party to the treaty of ECOWAS as enshrined in article 91 of the ECOWAS Treaty, which clearly specifies a 1-year notice of withdrawal.
We note that the implications of this decision of the triad on regional integration and development in West Africa and Africa as a whole are significant in the long term if allowed to stand. The impact will reverberate across multiple spheres of life in West Africa and on the livelihoods of West Africans, especially the citizens of the three countries. Indeed, the overall impact of this abrupt development raises specific concerns regarding the future of collective regional efforts in West Africa, especially the fight against terrorism, plans for democratic consolidation, the pace of regional economic development, and progress in addressing challenges related to climate change in the region. These implications are simply not acceptable!
WACSOF, therefore, strongly urges Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to retrace their steps and reconsider their decision to exit ECOWAS. We urge them to explore diplomatic channels and engage in meaningful dialogue to address any underlying issues that may have precipitated their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS. It is our fervent hope that the three countries will recognize the potential harm that their actions may cause and work towards resolving their concerns within the established framework of ECOWAS.
On the other hand, WACSOF pleads with ECOWAS to review the array of sanctions imposed on the three countries, especially the aspects that have to do with intra-regional trade, economic and financial transactions. As we had highlighted in our earlier letter to the Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government dated December 7, 2023, ahead of the December 10, 2023 Summit, these aspects of the sanctions have only served to cause hardships and economic woes for the citizens. We equally note that such harsh sanctions have additionally alienated the citizens of the Member States in question, which is inimical to the goals of regional integration that ECOWAS promotes.
WACSOF strongly requests the ECOWAS Chairperson to speedily convene an extraordinary summit of the Authority of Heads of State and Government in order to collectively re-examine the situation as well as speedily adopt and implement a set of practical strategies to address the current diplomatic impasse.
WACSOF remains committed to supporting and promoting regional cooperation and integration for the benefit of all West African citizens, in line with the objectives of the ECOWAS Vision 2020. We stand ready to engage in constructive dialogue and advocacy efforts to support any initiatives towards addressing the implications of this abrupt exit of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS, as well as to find a collaborative way forward for the entire region.
Abuja, Nigeria – The West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) expresses its deepest condolences to the people of the Republic of Guinea, particularly the families who have lost their loved ones in the devastating Kaloum fuel depot explosion that occurred on Monday, 18 December 2023. We stand in solidarity with the affected families during this challenging time and offer our support and sympathies.
The incident, which led to the loss of lives and dozens of injuries, has left the entire nation in a state of shock and grief. In solidarity with the people and government of Guinea, WACSOF hereby extends its sympathies to all those affected by the sad incident.
We commend the efforts of the Government of the Republic of Guinea and all its relevant agencies for their efforts in containing the fire as well as putting in place emergency public safety measures to prevent further damage.
We additionally call on the government of the Republic of Guinea to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the explosion in order to ascertain the factors that contributed to this unfortunate incident and take appropriate measures to prevent any future reoccurrence of such a tragedy. The government should also ensure that strict safety measures are implemented within all industries, particularly in relation to the handling and storage of hazardous materials such as hydrocarbon fuels.
We additionally call on the regional bodies particularly the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its member States to, as a matter of urgency, prioritize public safety by evolving a coherent set of regional standards to regulate public safety issues in West Africa.
WACSOF is ready to offer its support to the government of the Republic of Guinea in its efforts to implement strategies and protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future. We believe that the collective efforts of both the government and civil society organizations can lead to a safer and more secure environment for all citizens.
For media inquiries and further information, please contact:
The West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) is a regional platform that mobilizes civil society participation in the efforts of ECOWAS to promote regional integration and development in West Africa. WACSOF serves as a voice for civil society organizations, advocating for inclusivity, accountability, and sustainable development in the region.
Abuja — The West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) is keenly following the ensuing political developments in Guinea-Bissau beginning from the evening of On 30 November-1 December 2023, when violence broke out in Bissau, the capital of the country, between the Special Forces of the Presidential Guard Battalion and units of the National Guard who had released two ministers accused of corruption from detention. The clashes led to the arrest of the National Guard Commander Colonel Victor Tchongo. In reaction to this violence, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea Bissau, described the event as an “attempted coup” and issued the Presidential Decree N 70 /2023, ordering the dissolution of the Assembleia Nacional Popular (ANP), the country’s parliament. He also deployed military officers at the headquarters of state media outlets, Televisão da Guiné-Bissau and Radio Difusão Nacional to replace their heads, who were seen as not being loyal to him. In addition, the President immediately assumed the dual portfolio of both the Minister of Defense and Interior as a way of strengthening security in the country. Based on information received by the WACSOF Secretariat, through various means including review of relevant press statements from different interest groups in the country, review of contents of current media reports and social media commentary regarding the situation as well as revelations from interaction with citizens and civil society representatives on the ground in Guinea Bissau, we hereby issue the following statements:
We wish to expresses our deep concern over the currently ensuing political situation in Guinea-Bissau, while strongly noting that this situation has generated great unease among the civil society and the citizens of West Africa in general. WACSOF, standing in the gap as a civil society interface mechanism with ECOWAS, its Member States and civil society calls for prudence, calm and restraint in this situation.
We condemn without reservation the decision of the President of the Republic OF Guinea-Bissau to dissolve parliament as that constitutes an attempt to undermine Democracy and a violation of the supreme law of Guinea-Bissau, its Constitution. Under the terms of No. 1 of article 94 of the Constitution of the Republic of Guinea Bissau, the National Assembly cannot be dissolved within 12 months after the election, in the last half of the term of office of the President of the Republic or during a state of siege or emergency. This establishes clear limits for the President of the Republic regarding the dissolution of the ANP, as a way of ensuring a minimum period for institutional and legislative stability, at any given time.
We condemn in very strong terms, the behavior of the security agents for the invasion of public media outlets, namely: Televisão da Guiné-Bissau and Radio Difusão Nacional. Such a move undermines professionalism, neutrality, objectivity and freedom of the media, thus constituting an egregious erosion of the space for civic engagement in the country.
We strongly appeal to His Excellency, President Embaló, as chief guarantor for peace and public order the Guinea-Bissau, to reconsider his position on the dissolution of the ANP. This move will serve to uphold the popular will of the people, and restore the rule of law given the successes recorded by his government in the smooth conduct of parliamentary elections in June 2023.
WACSOF urges President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, other political leaders, and relevant authorities in Guinea Bissau to prioritize dialogue, inclusiveness and the protection of democratic institutions. It is essential that all parties engage in constructive discussions to find a constitutional solution to the ongoing crisis in Guinea Bissau.
We call on the ECOWAS, the African Union, the United Nations and the international community in general, to urgently intervene in Guinea Bissau to appeal to the President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau to reverse the consolidation of state power in his own hands as President, Defence Minister and Interior Minister all at once. We strongly note that such concentration of power in the hands of one individual is usually a precursor for impunity in the governance process, as such behaviors could undermine the values and principles of the rule of law and constitutionalism.
While unequivocally condemning any and all unconstitutional changes of government across the entire West African region, WACSOF reiterates its determination to work for the affirmation of the Rule of Law Democracy, and constitutional order in Guinea Bissau.
