From Africa Recovery, Vol.12#2 (November 1998), Briefs page

Guinea-Bissau peace accord is highlight of ECOWAS summit

Conflict prevention and resolution dominated the agenda of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) summit meeting held in Abuja, Nigeria on 30-31 October. The meeting culminated in an accord to end the five-month conflict in Guinea-Bissau, signed by President João Bernardo Vieira and rebel leader General Ansumane Mane.

The 16 member countries of ECOWAS decided to establish a new department within the ECOWAS secretariat, to replace ad-hoc committees in preventing, managing and resolving regional conflicts.

The October summit also launched regional travellers cheques, aimed at boosting trade and facilitating travel. Marking an important step towards a single currency and monetary union, the launch of the cheques was largely overshadowed by the summit's peace-brokering achievement.

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