Ghana is active in the United Nations and many of its specialized agencies, the World Trade Organization, the Nonaligned Movement, the African Union (AU), and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Generally, it follows the consensus of the Nonaligned Movement and the AU on economic and political issues not directly affecting its own interests. Ghana plays an increasingly active role in subregional affairs. In February 2002, its former Deputy Foreign Minister, Mohammed Ibn Chambas, assumed the office of ECOWAS Executive Secretary. Then in February 2003, President Kufuor became the Chairperson of ECOWAS heads of state, taking on a strong role in the Cote d'Ivoire and Liberian peace and reconciliation process. He was reelected to a second year in December 2003. Ghana has been extremely active in international peacekeeping activities under UN auspices in Lebanon, Afghanistan, Rwanda, the Balkans, and Pakistan, in addition to an 8-year subregional initiative with its ECOWAS partners to develop and then enforce a cease-fire in Liberia. In January 2003, Ghana sent a company of troops to Cote d'Ivoire as part of the ECOWAS stabilization force, and another contingent to Liberia in July of 2003; the United States provided logistical assistance to Ghana in these effort. Ghana maintains friendly relations with all states, regardless of ideology.