Annan promises to seek help for West Africa as it strengthens its security sector

Calling the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) one of the most advanced sub-regional groups in the developing world, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said it has strengthened its capacity for conflict management and prevention, but faces daunting security and economic challenges.

"As we look ahead, it will be essential to focus attention on reform of the security sector. I am encouraging development partners to explore how they can assist ECOWAS in this area, which is one that many have traditionally shied away from," he said in a message to the ECOWAS summit in Accra, Ghana, read by his Special Representative for West Africa, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah.

Despite the efforts of many African Governments, some leaders in Côte d'Ivoire had been unwilling to make compromises for peace, hurting West Africa politically and economically, Mr. Annan said.

"The situations in Guinea-Bissau and Liberia also warrant sustained attention, especially reform of the security sector and the reintegration of former combatants into society," he said.

"Locusts have damaged harvests; youth unemployment shows no sign of abating; rural exodus and massive urbanization continue; rates of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases are still alarming; endless roadblocks, as well as lawlessness in certain border zones, all undermine development and contribute to insecurity."

On the other hand, free and fair elections in Ghana and Niger recently had provided democratic models for other African countries, fewer people had been killed in fighting in the past 12 months than in 2003 and ECOWAS was deepening its trilateral partnership with the European Union (EU) and the UN Office for West Africa (UNOWA), he said.

"I hope you will also continue the fight against corruption and impunity, and to consult more systematically with civil society organizations, including religious leaders, women's groups and the private sector," Mr. Annan said.