Called for regional standby force to ensure the security and economic progress of the community.
President Bola Tinubu has been re-elected for another one-year term as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Government. His re-election took place during the 65th Ordinary Session of the Authority, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Nigeria, on Sunday.
After the election, the president call for commitment and funding towards regional standby force, says, the community needs security and stability to achieve it potential.
President Tinubu emphasized the importance of establishing and maintaining a regional standby force to ensure the security and economic progress of the community. He stressed that the growing security threats in the region necessitate a coordinated and well-funded response.
“The Regional Action Plan against Terrorism has enhanced cooperation on training, intelligence sharing, and humanitarian interventions. Additionally, the Ministers of Finance and Defence recently met in Abuja to raise funds for activating the ECOWAS Standby Force to boost counter-terrorism efforts,” President Tinubu stated.
President Tinubu urged member states to commit more resources to secure the region. He highlighted the need for strong political will and substantial financial resources to operationalize the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) effectively.
“We must ensure that we meet the expectations and recommendations set forth by our Ministers of Defence and Finance to counter insecurity and stabilize our region,” he added.
President Tinubu also advised ECOWAS leaders to leverage the capabilities of Nigeria’s National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC). He announced his government’s decision to make the NCTC a regional center to enable all ECOWAS member states to benefit from its capacity-building and related opportunities.
Addressing the management of ECOWAS, President Tinubu called for re-alignment and repositioning of priorities, reduction of overheads, and the setting up of in-country steering committees. He urged member states to comply fully with the Protocol on the Community Levy to ensure ECOWAS has adequate resources for its programs and activities.
“Nigeria, under my leadership, is committed to leading by example in remitting its collected levies to the organization,” he assured. However, he also emphasized that the ECOWAS management must reduce its operational costs and focus on programs that directly impact citizens’ lives.
President Tinubu welcomed Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to the Authority, congratulating the Government and people of Senegal for their democratic governance. He praised the recent presidential election in Senegal, which was widely considered free, fair, transparent, and credible.
The 65th session will review regional concerns, including terrorist activities and violent extremism. President Tinubu highlighted the fragility of the political landscape in some member states and called for unity within the community. He emphasized the need for innovative approaches to unleash the region’s economic potential, promote investment, and foster regional trade.
“Together, we can pave the way for a prosperous future for all of West Africa,” President Tinubu stated.
President Tinubu also sought support for the re-election of Ambassador Bankole Adeoye as AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security in February 2025.
Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, thanked President Tinubu for his leadership. He asserted that ECOWAS should be defined by development rather than conflicts, elections, and coup d’états. Touray also addressed the impact of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger’s exit from ECOWAS on citizens and regional agreements.
The session concluded with a renewed commitment to regional security, stability, and economic progress.
