The former UN resident coordinator to Guinea, Anthony Ohemeng-Boamah, has said that the suspension of the West African country from ECOWAS won’t have a significant impact on the transition process.
Ohemeng-Boamah explained that over the years, the sub-regional bloc has been instrumental in drawing timetable for coup-hit member countries to transition to civilian rule, however, constitutional rule only returns when the parties involved feel for it.
“I think they [suspensions] are mildly effective to the extent that, when I was in Guinea during the transition, I think the timetable that we were able to agree on that allowed us to usher in democratic transition was primarily because of ECOWAS. To that extent, ECOWAS was quite effective,” Ohemeng-Boamah told sit-in host of Town Hall Talk, Beatrice Adu.
He added: “Same can be said of the Sierra Leone wars and how ECOWAS was instrumental in bringing peace but in such situation, the will of the parties involved to facilitate peace and stability is what leads to a transitioning of power from a military government to a civilian one.”
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) suspended Guinea a few days ago after the military takeover leading to the collapse of Alpha Conde’s government.
ECOWAS is demanding a return to constitutional order and an immediate release of President Conde, who is being held captive by a special force led by Lieutenant Colonel Mamady Doumbouya.
Meanwhile, the African Union (AU) on Friday 10 September 2021 has also suspended Guinea as a member.
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