1. In the event that democracy is abruptly brought to an end by any means or where there is massive violation of Human Rights in a Member State , ECOWAS may impose sanctions on the State concerned. 2. The sanctions which shall be decided by the Authority, may take the following forms, in increasing order of severity: • Refusal to support the candidates presented by the Member State concerned for elective posts in international organizations; • Refusal to organize ECOWAS meetings in the Member State concerned; • Suspension of the Member State concerned from all ECOWAS decisionmaking bodies. During the period of the suspension the Member State shall be obliged to pay its dues for the period. 3. During the period of suspension, ECOWAS shall continue to monitor, encourage and support the efforts being made by the suspended Member State to return to normalcy and constitutional order. 4. On the recommendation of the Mediation and Security Council, a decision may be taken at the appropriate time to proceed as stipulated in Article 45 of the Protocol of 10th December 1999 . Chapter III GENERAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS Article 46 This Suppplementary Protocol shall form an integral part of the Protocol relating to the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security, signed in Lome on 10th December 1999 . ENTRY INTO FORCE This Supplementary Protocol shall enter into force upon ratification by at least nine (9) signatory States in accordance with the constitutional procedures of each Member State . Article 50 DEPOSITORY AUTHORITY This Supplementary Protocol and all instruments of ratification shall be deposited with the Executive Secretariat which shall transmit certified true copies to all Member States and notify them of the dates of deposit of instruments of ratification by the Member States and shall register it with the Organization of African Unity (OAU)/African Union (AU), as well as the United Nations (UN) and any other organization as may be decided by the Council. IN FAITH WHEREOF, WE, THE HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT OF THE MEMBER STATES OF THE ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES (ECOWAS) HAVE SIGNED THIS SUPPLEMENTARY PROTOCOL, IN SINGLE ORIGINAL IN THE ENGLISH, FRENCH AND PORTUGUESE LANGUAGES, ALL TEXTS BEING EQUALLY AUTHENTIC. DONE ATDAKAR ON THIS 21ST DAY OF DECEMBER 2001.