In a significant development for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been re-elected as the chairman of Heads of State and Government.
This marks another chapter in the organization’s history, with President Tinubu assuming leadership responsibilities once again.
President Tinubu’s first election took place in Guinea-Bissau on July 9 last year, following his brief tenure as Nigeria’s president. Upon his re-election, he wasted no time in outlining his priorities.
He pledged to deepen democracy within the sub-region and champion the establishment of a standby force to bolster security across West Africa.
The unity of the 16-member ECOWAS body faced challenges due to recent coup d’états in three member states: Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic. In response, these countries formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a move that the African Union (AU) rejected.
During the 65th Ordinary Session meeting held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, ECOWAS set up a team to engage in dialogue with the AES. President Tinubu appointed Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé as Special Envoys to work closely with their counterparts in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic.
President Tinubu emphasized the urgency of establishing and maintaining a regional standby force to address the escalating security threats in West Africa. He called on member states to fulfill their financial commitments, as substantial resources are essential for the successful launch of the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF).
This force will play a crucial role in countering terrorism, banditry, and violent extremism.
Acknowledging the importance of a peaceful and secure society, President Tinubu stressed that both political will and financial resources are necessary for the ESF’s effectiveness. He encouraged ECOWAS to leverage the capabilities of the Nigeria National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC), which is widely regarded as one of the best on the continent.
The Nigerian government has designated the NCTC as a regional center, allowing all ECOWAS member states to benefit from capacity-building initiatives.
Beyond security concerns, President Tinubu urged member states to collaborate and innovate, unlocking the region’s economic potential. He recognized existing economic challenges and emphasized the need for strategic partnerships, increased investment, and infrastructure development.
