The Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, have called for strong focus in addressing escalating regional security threats and advancing economic integration.
They made their positions known at the end of the Sixty-Sixth Ordinary Session in Abuja.
Under the chairmanship of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, leaders from across West Africa deliberated on key issues impacting the region, including terrorism, governance, and the implementation of the ECOWAS single currency.
On the persistent security challenges fueled by terrorist armed groups, transnational organized crime, and political instability, the Authority emphasized the urgency of counterterrorism efforts.
It instructed the ECOWAS Commission to activate a regional counterterrorism force and called for an immediate review and extension of the 2020-2024 Plan of Action on Eradicating Terrorism.
The Leaders reaffirmed their zero tolerance for unconstitutional power grabs, urging the unconditional release of Niger’s ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
Also towards the establishment of the ECOWAS single currency, the ECO, Leaders adopted criteria for selecting candidate states for the currency’s launch and urged member states to accelerate economic reforms to meet the set deadlines.
They also approved measures to address inflation and public debt, signaling a commitment to economic diversification, while on Regional Infrastructure and Food Security
The Authority commended strides in regional infrastructure projects, including the 1,028km Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway and the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, renamed the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline Project.
On agriculture, the ECOWAS leaders reaffirmed commitments to achieving rice self-sufficiency and strengthening livestock farming initiatives.
The Authority further addressed the formal withdrawal notifications from Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, marking January 29, 2025, as the effective date of their departure.
The ECOWAS leaders extended mediation efforts, keeping diplomatic channels open while preparing a contingency plan for post-withdrawal relations and on Democracy and Good Governance, they celebrated the peaceful elections in Ghana, Senegal, and Sierra Leone and urged political actors in Guinea and Guinea Bissau to expedite electoral processes.
It commended Ghana’s President-Elect, John Dramani Mahama, for fostering democratic stability through peaceful transitions.
The session concluded with a renewed commitment to regional cooperation, economic progress, and security, underscoring the role of collective action in addressing West Africa’s pressing challenges.
