ExecutiveOrdersEO
DetDeterminationClinton · D

Presidential Determination

Determination on Eligibility of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) To Be Furnished Defense Articles and Services Under the Foreign Assistance Act and the Arms Export Control Act

President Clinton determined that providing defense articles and services to ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) would strengthen U.S. security and promote world peace, making ECOWAS eligible under the Foreign Assistance Act and Arms Export Control Act. The Secretary of State was directed to report this to Congress and publish it in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 65 FR 10669

Key directives

  • Report this determination to Congress
  • Publish determination in the Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Determination takes effect upon signing
  • Secretary of State directed to report to Congress and publish in Federal Register

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

  • Ongoing eligibility of ECOWAS for U.S. defense articles and services

Risks & tensions

  • Eligibility determination enables arms transfers to a regional organization rather than individual states, which may raise oversight concerns
  • West Africa regional security dynamics in 2000 included ongoing conflicts in Sierra Leone and Liberia
Presidential Determination: Determination on Eligibility of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) To Be Furnished Defense Articles and Services Under the Foreign Assistance Act and the Arms Export Control Act · Executive Orders