President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, serving as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, delivered a comprehensive address on Sunday at the Sixth Mid-Year Co-ordination Meeting of the Africa Union.
The meeting, a pivotal gathering for the alignment of AU and Regional Economic Communities’ agendas, saw President Tinubu spotlight the progress and challenges facing the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
President Tinubu began by commending ECOWAS’s proactive stance in regional security. Notably, the activation of a Standby Force to combat terrorism underscored the community’s commitment to peace and stability. He emphasized ongoing efforts to secure funding for anti-terrorism initiatives amidst geopolitical rivalries and member-state withdrawals.
Highlighting ECOWAS’s role in promoting democratic processes, Tinubu lauded the peaceful electoral transitions in Senegal and Togo, where ECOWAS deployed Election Observation Missions. Additionally, he highlighted ECOWAS’s facilitation of a pivotal Agreement for National Unity in Sierra Leone, emphasizing ongoing support for its implementation.
Economically, Tinubu outlined strides towards deeper integration, including advancements in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) ratifications and operational improvements through SIGMAT, enhancing goods management across borders. The ECOWAS Chairman also detailed significant financial commitments to humanitarian efforts, education, and gender equality initiatives, reflecting a holistic approach to social development within the region.
In energy and agriculture, President Tinubu spotlighted initiatives such as ECOREAP and ROGEAP, aimed at expanding electricity access and supporting sustainable agricultural practices. He underscored the ECOWAS commitment to climate action, including participation in international environmental governance and the establishment of a regional carbon market.
Despite these achievements, President Tinubu acknowledged challenges including food insecurity, climate change impacts, and misinformation campaigns. He pledged continued dialogue with member states like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to maintain regional unity amidst complex geopolitical dynamics.
On the sidelines of the AU meeting, President Tinubu held bilateral discussions with President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, reinforcing Nigeria’s leadership role in West Africa and pledging mutual support on bilateral and developmental fronts.
The Sixth Mid-Year Co-ordination Meeting, which replaced traditional summits with a focus on aligning AU and REC agendas, concluded with commitments to strengthen continental integration and collaboration between ECOWAS and other AU regional communities.
President Tinubu’s address not only underscored ECOWAS’s achievements but also highlighted the imperative of regional cooperation in addressing multifaceted challenges across West Africa.
