Report ( Trade to Flobal Security ) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Report ( Trade to Flobal Security ) - Essay Example This is to establish that economic growth and human development are inseparable from rule of good governance and law (UNDP Human Development Report, 1996). It is against this background that the ECOWAS Commission has a keen interest in the political situation in member States. As the President of the ECOWAS Commission, I was mandated by the Commission to lead a mediation team to the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire for talks for a possible step-down by the incumbent president, Laurent Gbagbo following his lost in the November 28, 2010 General Elections held in that country. This reason presents details of the said mediation effort; outlining the program structure adopted, key aims and objectives of the program, successes as well as challenges faced. Means and Schedule adopted for the Mediation Effort As this is the very first step taken by the ECOWAS Commission towards the looming political crisis in the Ivory Coast, the team resolved to use â€Å"tactical diplomacy with a carrot-an d-stick dimension, though† (Kabs-Kanu, 2010) nothing else than Peace Talks. This approach is backed by other global bodies such as The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) who has so far said that it is still too early to apply any military force (Graphic Ghana, 2011). For this reason, the mediation team planned four major meeting which were held in the Ivory Coast. Two meetings each were held on each side of the agitators: that Mr. Lauran Gbagbo and Mr. Alassane Ouattara. On each side, the team meet the main leaders who are Mr. Gbagbo and Ouattara and leaders of their forces. It was a four-day schedule to allow for comprehensive discussions with each group met. The meetings which started two days after the ECOWAS Summit in Abuja was led by the President of the ECOWAS Commission and five other members of the Commission who the Heads of State of Gambia, Liberia, Gabon, Burkina Faso and Ghana. The meetings, which were held behind closed doors and amidst tight security saw all four groups welcome us warmly and presenting their cases in passionate manners. Key aims and objectives involved in the peace mission The Mediation Team set out with one primary aim, which was to convince Mr. Gbagbo to humbly step-down following that â€Å"ECOWAS, the African Union and the United Nations all recognize results showing Ouattara as the winner of that election† (Voice of America, 2011). To achieve this broad aim, the following objectives were set to lead to the eventual achievement of the aim: 1. Listen to the story from both sides: Talking caution from analysts who â€Å"say the West African nation is on the verge of crisis after both candidates claimed victory and were installed in separate events† (VOA News, 2010), the Commission would continue to be very professional in its mediation effort to ensure that tempers are boiled. To ensure this, the team resolved to give both parties a fair hearing to show that the Commission is not biased though it holds i ts stand that Mr. Gbagbo lost the election. 2. Explain to both sides the need for peace: Central on the team’s discussions was the need for the two leaders and their followers to appreciate the fact that they cannot compromise the peace of the Coat d’Ivoire since peace is needed to for national development. 3. State the stand of the ECOWAS Commission to both sides: As mentioned earlier, the team was clear with the