Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the Chairperson, Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State Government, says leaders of the sub-region would address the situation in Guinea Bissau at their forthcoming summit on Dec. 17.
Sirleaf spoke while addressing newsmen at the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja on Monday.
The ECOWAS chairperson described the situation in Guinea Bissau as “very complicated, adding that “it is pertinent to choose a leader that reflected the will of the people.
“The situation in Guinea Bissau is very complex and has been that way for the past four years.
“One has found an impasse in the situation, with several prime ministers coming and going.
“It just remains one missing piece, and that piece is that of a prime minister, acceptable to all the people; that we have not found an answer to.
“To find that consensus candidate has been a real challenge; it is something that I think all the Heads of States need to think about, when we come to the summit on Dec. 17.
“They can take a decision on that.”
Sirleaf said that a delegation led by President Alpha Conde of Republic of Guinea visited the country and a roadmap was developed.
She said that the roadmap has since been endorsed by all parties in Guinea Bissau.
In April 2012, the military staged a coup d’état in that country, and military leaders and a coalition of political parties announced the formation of a Transitional National Council, under international pressure.
Guinea-Bissau has also been in a political impasse since August 2015, when President José Mario Vaz sacked then Prime Minister Domingos Simoes Pereira, leader of the ruling African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde.
Vaz also dissolved the government on Nov. 12 in an attempt to solve a political succession crisis.
A delegation from ECOWAS on Nov. 6 demanded that Vaz name a new prime minister and deal with dissenting deputies with the aim of resuming parliament’s normal functions. (NAN)