Lagos, Nigeria - ECOWAS has said it is 'greatly encouraged' by news of the rapidly improving relations among the leadership of the political class in Guinea, in the aftermath of the regional bloc's efforts to move national dialogue forward. An ECOWAS Commission statement obtained by PANA here Tuesday quoted Commission President James Victor Gbeho as urging the leaders to continue to pursue the path of dialogue towards national reconciliation with enthusiasm and vigour.
The Commission had dispatched a Special Envoy, Edem Kodjo, to Guinea from 9-11 November 2011 to interact with the President Alpha Conde and other key political leaders on the current situation in the country, in a move aimed at pepping up reconciliation.

The envoy also met with the leaders of the main opposition parties, including Messrs Cellou Dalein Diallo and Sidya Toure; the First Vice-Chair of the National Transition Council, Monseigneur Gomez; former Prime Minister under the Transition, Jean-Mari Dore; former and current ministers, UN officials, and a host of other important stakeholders.

The statement said the interactions opened the way to the first face-to-face meeting among the key political leaders since the November 2010 presidential election.

'The ECOWAS Commission is also reliably informed that the meeting was characterised by frank exchanges and clarification of positions to the satisfaction of all parties,' it said.

'While expressing its pleasure with the significant breakthrough and congratulating the leaders for their courage and statesmanship, the Commission wishes to encourage them to persevere in the spirit of the renewed trust and cooperation in order to forge a national consensus and sustainable peace, as they strive to tackle the myriad security and developmental challenges confronting the nation.

'To this end, the Commission anticipates an amicable resolution of all outstanding differences to pave the way for the holding of the all-important legislative elections in a timely and transparent manner,' the statement said, adding that the Commission would continue to support Guinea's national reconciliation and reconstruction efforts.

Pana 22/11/2011