Relative peace in Cote d'Ivoire is commendable - JAK

Accra, Sept.8, GNA - ECOWAS Chairman President John Agyekum Kufuor on Monday commended the ECOWAS Forces in Cote d'Ivoire for the prevailing relative peace and stability in that country.

He said, " we all appreciate the relative peace and stability in Cote d'Ivoire and the ECOWAS Forces deserve commendation". President Kufuor made the commendation when Major-General Abdulai Fall, the new Force Commander of the ECOWAS Forces in Cote d'Ivoire was introduced to him at the Castle, Osu.

He replaces Lieutenant-General Papa Kalilu Fall, the out-going Forces Commander, who has been appointed the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Senegalese Army.

President Kufuor said it was ideal that Ghana as well as ECOWAS was made aware of the changes taking place in the Command, adding, " we welcome the new Force Commander to manage the Forces with commitment and honesty to duty like his predecessor".

Mr Raph Uwechue, Special Representative of the Executive Secretary of ECOWAS on the Ivorian crisis, who introduced the new Force Commander, expressed appreciation to President Kufuor for taking personal interest and commitment to ensure that peace and stability returned to Cote d'Ivoire.

He commended the out-going Force Commander for ensuring a disciplined Force and working in harmony with French troops and said he was optimistic that the co-operation, which had existed among the forces, would be maintained and improved upon under the new Commander.