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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye and Paulinus Aidoghie, Abuja.
President Bola Tinubu, the outgoing Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government, has called on member states to fulfil their financial obligations promptly to ensure the effective functioning of the commission and its ability to address the security challenges facing the region.
Speaking at the 65th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Tinubu stressed the need for member states to make extra commitments in providing resources to stabilize the region.
He urged ECOWAS member states to leverage the capability of the Nigeria National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC), which is widely acknowledged as one of the best on the continent.
Declaring the 65th session open on Sunday at the State House Conference Centre of the State House, Abuja, Tinubu, said the Ordinary Session was convened to review the situation in the West African region.
Tinubu also highlighted the decision of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to withdraw from ECOWAS and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the affected countries. He stressed the importance of a peaceful and secure society for achieving the region’s potential and operationalizing the ECOWAS standby force to combat terrorism.
He said: “Let me underscore that a peaceful and secure society is essential for achieving our potential, move to operationalise the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) in combating terrorism, I must emphasise that the success of this plan requires, not only strong political will, but also substantial financial resources.
“We must therefore ensure that we meet the expectations and recommendations set forth by our ministers of Defense and Finance in order to counter the insecurity and stabilise our region.
“Member states must make extra commitment to providing resources for stabilizing the region. To this end, I urge ECOWAS to leverage the capability of the Nigeria National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC), which is widely acknowledged as one of the best on the continent.
“The Nigerian government has decided to declare the NCTC as a regional centre to enable all ECOWAS member states to benefit from capacity building and other related opportunities it offers.
“Your Excellencies, dear heads of state, I urge those of you with time to visit the centre before your departure and assess first-hand the facilities and the capabilities of NCTC.
“I’m also fully aware of other challenges confronting our region, especially the economic hurdles that hinder our progress to elevate our people from poverty to prosperity. It is imperative that we unite as a community and develop innovative approaches to unleash our vast economic potential.
“We must continue to identify and develop partnerships that promote investment in key sectors and promote regional trade. Furthermore, we must invest in our infrastructure and cultivate a conducive business environment to empower our community to stimulate growth and build resilience against external shock. Together we can pave the way for a prosperous future for all ECOWAS countries
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“I also acknowledge the financial challenges of our organization. Difficult economic conditions and consistent payment of financial commitment to ECOWAS have contributed to the current plight, to ensure ECOWAS has adequate resources for its programmes and activities, I urge all member states to ensure full compliance with the protocol on the community levy. Nigeria, under my leadership, is committed to leading by example by remitting its collected levies to the organisation
“By the way, we resolve at the caucus meeting that details of outstandings by countries will be distributed from the ECOWAs secretariat.”
In his remarks, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, said the elections that have taken place so far this year and the ones that took place last year in Nigeria, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone and Liberia, showed that despite all odds, democracy is alive in the West African sub-region.
“We look forward to the consolidation of this trend in the region as we prepare for a major election in Ghana later this year,” Touray said.
Touray added that reminding themselves of the positive development was not in any form an exercise in self-glorification, rather a recognition of the progress the community has made.
He however said the significance of the events and developments is being overshadowed by the multidimensional challenges that the region faces.
“Our region is still confronted with multiple interlocking threats, including existential works. This includes climatic and man-made crises, leading to terrorism violent extremism and food insecurity. Livelihoods continue to be threatened by illegal and unsustainable exploitation of our land, forest and marine resources.
“Governance deficit and marginalisation have strained social contracts, engendering bitter rivalries and unhealthy competition. To complicate the situation, our region has become the arena of geo-strategic and geo-political rivalries and the theatre of misinformation and disinformation that engenders mistrust among and within communities and undermine social cohesion,” Touray also said.
On his part, the African Union Commission Chairperson, Moussa Mahamat, expressed the AU’s strong support for ECOWAS and its commitment to strengthening cooperation between the two regional bodies.
In a statement delivered at the 65th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Mahamat, Represented by AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Bankole Adeoye, commended the “progressive, astute and resourceful leadership” of ECOWAS Chairman and Nigerian President Tinubu in the fight against terrorism, violent extremism, and unconstitutional changes of government.
Mahamat emphasised that regional integration and political stability are “fundamentally intertwined” and “mutually reinforcing” for peace, development and prosperity in West Africa. He highlighted the importance of aligning national, continental and regional priorities, as well as intensifying efforts to combat terrorism, insurgency and cyber-criminality.
The AU Commission Chairperson also called for the consolidation of democratic governance through community-led and owned approaches that involve the inclusive participation of women and youth. He looked forward to celebrating the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS in 2025, describing the regional body as a “pace-setter in peace enforcement” and a “democratic space for constitutional order.”
Mahamat expressed the AU’s full support for the unity of ECOWAS, stating that “with ECOWAS in the forefront, the future of regional political and socio-economic integration and unity is very bright in Africa.”
