ECOWAS President Kadre Desire Ouedraogo

Vigilance can report that the ECOWAS Council of Ministers meeting in Cote d’Ivoire recently has condemned in very strong terms the spate of terrorist attacks in Niger, including those which occurred in Agadez and Arlit on Thursday 23 May 2013 and resulted in loss of many lives.

In what could be regarded as ‘attack one, attack all’ reaction by the Council, even though maybe seen by some observers as belated, it noted that the attacks against Niger, and by extension against ECOWAS, were no doubt the fall-out of fighting in Northern Mali, and thus called for greater determination by the region and the international community in the efforts to fight against terrorism.

Also, the Council expressed its support and solidarity with Niger in the fight against this scourge which threatens the peace and stability of the region and the entire international community. Especially, it reaffirms the ECOWAS resolve to leave no stone unturned in ensuring peace and security in our region.

The ECOWAS Council of Ministers expressed its sincere condolences to H.E. Mahamadou Issoufou and the entire people of Niger at this difficult and painful time.