Guinea-Bissau: end of the mission of the ECOWAS standby force
Ecomib forces in the streets of Bissau in November 2019. JOHN WESSELS / AFP
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West African soldiers from the ECOWAS mission in Guinea-Bissau (Ecomib), deployed since 2012, are leaving the country.
Their mission officially ended on Thursday.
They were around 800 men when they arrived in 2012, made up of Nigerian, Burkinabe, Senegalese and Togolese soldiers.
This sub-regional force was responsible for protecting the heads of institutions and public buildings.
Their presence made it possible to guarantee the stability of the country.
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With our correspondent in Bissau,
Allen Yéro Embalo
The force's mandate officially ended with the feeling of a well-accomplished mission.
"
We can say without any exaggeration that
the force of Ecomib has fulfilled its share of responsibility
with abnegation, determination and efficiency for the stabilization of Guinea-Bissau and for its return to normality
", declared Jean Claude Kassy Brou, president of the ECOWAS commission, during his speech.
And in recognition, all the troops were distinguished by the medal of the National Order of Merit, Cooperation and Development, the third highest distinction in the country.
For the Bissau-Guinean head of state Umaro Sissoco Embalo,
the experience of Ecomib soldiers will be capitalized on
.
“
We are convinced that the efforts made by them, all the evidence of experiences transmitted, will be capitalized and well used by the national authorities and by our defense and security forces.
"
They were about 800 men when they arrived in 2012, Nigerian, Burkinabé, Senegalese and Togolese soldiers.
This sub-regional force was responsible for protecting the heads of institutions and public buildings.
Their presence made it possible to guarantee the stability of the country.
The Togolese contingent already left Bissau last week, as did some of the Nigerians.
Senegalese and Burkinabè soldiers remain who must also leave in the coming days.
Does this departure leave a void in the country?
Possible, according to CNRS researcher Vincent Foucher.
“
The strength of ECOWAS had nevertheless played a role.
A role of protection, by giving a minimum of peace, guarantees of protection of a set of actors in critical moments.
In addition, we know that there was a more discreet role for ECOWAS and Ecomib together.
Ecomib had contacts in the army, Ecomib was able to pass messages, Ecomib was also able to exert influence directly with the Bissau-Guinean army.
And it is true that one can wonder what would have happened.
At the same time, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and his allies have nevertheless consolidated their control over the state.
So will that help ensure political stability and therefore avoid insecurity?
It is not certain.
We know that in Guinea-Bissau, political life is very agitated, that factions and alliances are constantly being made and broken.
Under these conditions, the absence of the Ecomib will not again authorize small blows of violence?
Maybe not coups, but different political actors who can try to instrumentalize or ally with this or that faction of the army, with this or that group in the security forces, which are extremely divided and in competition.
"
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