A delegation from the ECOWAS Commission’s Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security is currently in Guinea-Bissau for an operational visit. The delegation, which arrived on Monday, October 28, 2024, is led by General Mactar Diop, Chief of Staff of the ECOWAS Standby Force. It also includes Dr. Sani Adamu, Head of the Peace Support Operations Division, along with other senior officers from the department.
The purpose of this visit is to ensure that the mandate of the Guinea-Bissau Stabilisation Support Mission is being effectively implemented, particularly focusing on its operational aspects. On their first day, the delegation made courtesy visits to various authorities.
Following these visits, they inspected a level 2 hospital set up by Côte d’Ivoire. This facility provides medical services not only to Force personnel but also to civilians. Since its deployment in May 2022, nearly twenty-six thousand patients have received free treatment at this hospital. These activities have significantly contributed to improving the Mission’s image among local residents.
The first day’s agenda concluded with a joint patrol involving members of the delegation to observe staff working conditions firsthand. This patrol took place in Reino da Jaal, a district near Bissau experiencing inter-ethnic conflict between Pepel and Balliante populations over land ownership issues.
During the patrol, there was also an inspection of guard posts at certain state institutions and government officials’ residences.
Further inspections are planned for contingents from Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal as part of the mission’s ongoing agenda.
