West African soldiers of the ECOWAS mission in Guinea-Bissau (Ecomib), deployed since 2012, are leaving the country. Their mission officially ended on Thursday. They were about 800 men on their arrival in 2012, composed of Nigerian, Burkinabe, Senegalese and Togolese soldiers. This sub-regional force was responsible for protecting the heads of institutions and public buildings. Their presence helped ensure the stability of the country.
The force’s mandate officially came to an end with a sense of a mission well accomplished. “We can say without any exaggeration that the Ecomib force has fulfilled its share of responsibility with abnegation, determination and efficiency for the stabilization of Guinea-Bissau and its return to normality,” said Jean Claude Kassy Brou, chairman of the ECOWAS commission, during his intervention.
And as a token of recognition, all the troops were awarded the Medal of the National Order of Merit, Cooperation and Development, the third highest distinction in the country.
For the Head of State of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, the experience of Ecomib soldiers will be capitalized. “We are convinced that the efforts made by them, all the evidence of their experience 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, Burkinabe, Senegalese and Togolese soldiers. This sub-regional force was responsible for protecting heads of institutions and public buildings. Their presence helped ensure the stability of the country.
The Togolese contingent has already left Bissau last week, as well as some Nigerians. There are still Senegalese and Burkinabe soldiers who are also due to leave in the next few days.