During the 66th Ordinary session of the Heads of State and Government ECOWAS summit in Abuja, Nigeria, President Adama Barrow, assured of more realistic solutions in addressing sub-regional challenges.
President Barrow highlighted issues like poverty, women empowerment, irregular migration, and youth unemployment as impediments to development and integration in the sub-region. He thereby stressed the need for more practical and coordinated approaches to tackle these challenges.
In his welcome statement, the Chairman of ECOWAS and President of the Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, outlined ECOWAS’s significant strides in supporting democratic governance, strengthening regional integration, and facilitating the free movement of goods and services.
While reiterating his commitment to remain steadfast in achieving the organization’s objectives, he said despite ECOWAS’s numerous successes, it still faces challenges.
The President of ECOWAS, Dr Omar Touray, highlighted the organisation’s success stories, particularly the political maturity of its member states.
He cited the general and parliamentary elections in Ghana and Senegal, noting the significance of smooth and transparent elections to the reinforcement of democratic principles. He highlighted progress in regional economic integration, noting that member states have shown resilience amid regional and global challenges.
The Chairperson of the African Union, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, urged ECOWAS countries to enhance cooperation within the region and the continental organizations, emphasizing the need to develop innovative strategies to address the financial challenges faced by member states.
He called on member countries to priorities peace and security to eliminate emerging threats on the African continent.
The Summit climaxed with a communiqué by the President of the ECOWAS Commission acknowledging the notification of withdrawal from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. These three countries will officially cease to be members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on January 29, 2025.
