By Alex Adi
Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence from ECOWAS Member States are currently meeting in Abuja to review the political, security, and humanitarian challenges in the region. Key areas for discussion include assessing the establishment of a special tribunal in The Gambia to prosecute gross human rights violations.
President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu TOURAY, highlighted the importance of upholding the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy to promote regional economic integration and citizen well-being.
Dr. Touary expressed worry on the impending withdrawal of some member states as ECOWAS prepares to celebrate its Golden Jubilee on regional integration next year.
“Today, we stand at a crossroad in our history as a community. While we are preparing to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of our regional integration efforts next year, we are also faced with the impending withdrawal of some of our member states from the Community. While it is essential to reflect on the significant achievements made by ECOWAS over the past decades, it is also important to reflect on the future of the community with our people separated by political exigencies.”
The Chair of the Mediation and Security Council, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama TUGGAR, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in an address emphasised the committee’s shared responsibility to ensure peace, stability, and progress while commending ECOWAS governance frameworks for strengthening democracy, the rule of law, and citizen security.
“Without stability, the aspirations of our people for prosperity and progress will remain unfulfilled. We must strengthen governance frameworks and promote inclusive, peaceful political transitions.”
Participants were optimistic that the outcomes of the session will further cement ECOWAS’s role as a beacon of peace, stability, and development of the region.
