Ecowas force to leave Guinea Bissau

ECOWAS troops stationed in Guinea Bissau since April 2012 to maintain stability will withdraw from the country next year, the chair of the ECOWAS commission, Alain de Souza has said after holding talks with Guinea Bissau’s Prime Minister Baciro Adi.

The West African body cites cost and repeated requests from member states as a major reason for the withdrawal.

The ECOWAS force has been influential in maintaining political transition in Guinnea Bissau laying emphasis on the protection of the country’s personalities and public buildings.

To ensure that the departure does not create any vacuum, Guinean forces will be trained to take over while the withdrawal goes on progressively.

The sub regional force in Guinea Bissau known as Ecomib, is made up of 550 men from Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Togo and Niger.