Article 8 — CEDEAO Traite-1975

The Executive Secretariat 1. There shall be established an Executive Secretariat of the Community. 2. The Executive Secretariat shall be headed by an Executive Secretary who shall be appointed by the Authority to serve in such office for a term of four (4) years and be eligible for reappointment for another term of four (4) years only. 3 The Executive Secretary shall only be removed from office by the Authority upon the recommendation of the Council of Ministers. 4. The Executive Secretary shall be the principal executive officer of the Community. He shall be assisted by two Deputy Executive Secretaries who shall be appointed by the Council of Ministers. 15 5. In addition to the Executive Secretary and the Deputy Executive Secretaries, there shall be a Financial Controller and such other officers in the Executive Secretariat as the Council of Ministers may determine. 6. The terms and conditions of service of the Executive Secretary and other officers of the Executive Secretariat shall be governed by regulations that may be made by the Council of Ministers. 7. In appointing officers to offices in the Executive Secretariat due regard shall be had, subject to the paramount importance of securing the highest standards of efficiency and technical competence, to the desirability of maintaining an equitable distribution of appointments to such posts among citizens of the Member States. 8. The Executive Secretary and officers of the Executive Secretariat, in the discharge of their duties, owe their loyalty entirely to the Community. 9. The Executive Secretary shall be responsible for the day to day administration of the Community and all its institutions. 10. The Executive Secretary shall: (a) as appropriate, service and assist the institutions of the Community in the performance of their functions; (b) keep the functioning of the Community under continuous examination and, where appropriate, report the results of its examination to the Council of Ministers; (c) submit a report of activities to all sessions of the Council of Ministers and all meetings of the Authority; and (d) undertake such work and studies and perform such services relating to the aims of the Community as may be assigned to him by the Council of Ministers and also make such proposals thereto as may assist in the efficient and harmonious functioning and development of the Community. 16.