President Mahama advocates support for Mali, Guinea Bissau

President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday called on members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to provide all the necessary support to Mali as they return to democratic elections in July.

He also called on the members to encourage reconciliation among the leaders to restore the sovereignty of the West African state and create a stable political environment for their democracy to triumph.

President Mahama made the call when Chiefs of Defence Staff of 15 African states called on him at the Flagstaff House, Kanda.

The military chiefs, who have been holding their 32nd Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff at the Kofi Annan Peace Centre, were at the seat of government to inform him of their deliberations and to thank him for hosting the conference which was under the theme: "Enhancing military cooperation, peace, stability and development".

President Mahama said while heads of states in the ECOWAS sub region were forging ahead to restore peace and normalcy in Mali and Guinea Bissau, there was the need for the security chiefs to step up their activities to subdue all insurgencies.

The growth of democracy, the president added would also help in the growth of our economies that would make us self-reliant and prosperous.

He said:"Africa needs peace and stability to grow democracy that will subsequently bring access to education, good healthcare and reduce child and maternal mortality in the region."

On the piracy at the Gulf of Guinea, President Mahama said member states needed to take a second look at the situation and help prevent it from worsening as it could endanger shipping and make traveling in the area expensive.

Lieutenant General Soumaila Bakayako, Chairman of the Committee, said their discussions on Mali and Guinea Bissau were fruitful and peaceful and gave the assurance that it would benefit the member countries.

He said piracy was extensively discussed in the meeting and gave the assurance that the practice in the area would soon be the thing of the past.