Abuja, 24^th July 2018. The Vice President of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Madam Finda Koroma has proposed that a Memorandum of Understanding between the ECOWAS Commission and the G5 Sahel be signed in the areas of Capacity building, Community Development and Early Warning in order to ensure peace and security in the region.

The Vice President stated this while receiving a delegation from the European Union (EU) led by Mr. Angel Losado, the EU Special Representative for the Sahel on 23^rd July, 2018 in Abuja Nigeria in order to discuss cooperation between the two organizations on regional and international initiatives for peace and security in the Sahel.

In order to assist the G5 Sahel which comprises of Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mauritania and Chad, achieve its aim of security and development in the Sahel region, the Commissions’ Director for Peacekeeping and Regional Security, Dr. Cyriaque Agnekethom  stated the need for synergy between the two regional organizations  in order to avoid duplication of activities and projects.

On his part, Mr.Losado reiterated the EU’s commitment to support the G5 Sahel in establishing its structure, building its capacity, executing its development projects and addressing security challenges in the region.

Regarding the security situation in Mali, Madam Koroma assured the EU delegation that the ECOWAS Commission will continue to engage all concerned parties in order to implement the current political agreement.

‘Improving security in Mali would boost the implementation of the current political agreement in place’ she said.