By Alex Adi
The President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Commission), Dr. Omar Alieu TOURAY has reaffirmed the commitment of the Commission to advancing the integration and development agenda of the West African region.
At the opening of the 93rd Ordinary session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers meeting in, Abuja, Nigeria, Dr. Touaray said the Commission was encouraged by the democratic strides witnessed across the region and stated that ECOWAS would continue do to its best to foster peace, stability, and cooperation within the West African region.
During the two-day meeting, Ministers from ECOWAS member states, Heads and Representatives of ECOWAS and its Institutions would deliberate on critical issues that would promote good governance, peace and security, regional integration, and improve the well-being of the Community citizens.
These include trade, infrastructure, energy, communication, and information technology. ECOWAS will be celebrating its Golden Jubilee next year and one of the challenges it is faced with is the impending withdrawal of some member states, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso a move which is affecting the full integration process of ECOWAS in the past 50 years.
“This Council of Ministers Meeting is being held under particularly challenging circumstances. While we continue to respect the decisions taken in support of regional integration, it is undeniable that we are encountering significant obstacles that demand our attention. The Commission acknowledges the expectations of Community citizens and remains committed to advancing the region’s developmental agenda. However, progress is often hindered by resource limitations, and much more can be achieved if adequate funding is made available. This is why migration matters, economic policies, and institutional reforms remain priorities for discussion,” Dr. Touray noted
Chairman of ECOWAS Council of Ministers and Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama TUGGAR, remarked that there was need for the Governments of ECOWAS Member States to create the enabling environment for the private sector to thrive in order to enhance regional integration.
“This Council Meeting reaffirms our unabating dedication to regional cooperation, driven by our shared vision of having an integrated and prosperous West Africa. Our governments must continue to make concerted efforts to create an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive, as they are the driving force behind the economic integration agenda. Our forerunners established ECOWAS with the vision of fostering regional economic integration among our Member States. It is, therefore, our duty to diligently consider the recommendations of the Commission and to collaborate effectively to realize this vision.”
Ambassador Tuggar commended the ECOWAS Commission on its recent efforts on humanitarian interventions in Member States stressing that the interventions provided relief to the Community citizens during the time of need. Achievements in the year under review within the ECOWAS bloc include the absence of piracy incidents in 2024, which has been credited to enhanced maritime security operations led by Nigeria, Benin, and Togo.
The ECOWAS Commission also commended the progress in operationalizing the ECOWAS Standby Force, which is set to enhance the region’s capacity for rapid response to security threats.
