ECOWAS: Tinubu calls for commitment

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President Bola Tinubu has urged the Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS to work towards establishing and maintaining a regional standby force for the security and economic advancement of the community.

Tinubu’s spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, said this during the opening of the 65th Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government on Sunday in Abuja.

President Tinubu emphasized the necessity of a standby force in light of increasing security threats, calling on member states to contribute the necessary resources to secure the region.

“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.

“Member countries are also showing their commitment to combating insecurity by increasing their defense budgets to acquire necessary equipment and ensure preparedness,” said President Tinubu.

“A peaceful and secure society is essential for achieving our potential. As we move to operationalize the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) in combating terrorism, it is crucial that we have not only strong political will but also substantial financial resources.

“We must meet the expectations and recommendations set forth by our Ministers of Defence and Finance to counter insecurity and stabilize our region,” the President added.

President Tinubu advised ECOWAS leaders to utilize the capabilities of Nigeria’s National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), recognized as one of the best on the continent.

He announced that his government has decided to make the NCTC a regional center, enabling all ECOWAS member states to benefit from its capacity-building and related opportunities.

President Tinubu also recommended that the management of ECOWAS re-align and reposition its priorities by reducing overheads and establishing in-country steering committees.

“Difficult economic conditions and inconsistent payment of financial commitments to ECOWAS have contributed to the current plight. To ensure ECOWAS has adequate resources for its programs and activities, I urge all member states to fully comply with the Protocol on the Community Levy.

“Nigeria, under my leadership, is committed to leading by example in remitting its collected levies to the organization. However, the ECOWAS management must also reduce its overhead expenditures and focus on programs and activities that directly impact the lives of our citizens.

“I am aware of the progress report on the implementation of the ECOWAS Institutional Reforms. Therefore, I call on the President of the ECOWAS Commission to expedite the conclusion of the second phase of the Institutional Reforms aimed at reducing the organization’s operational costs,” the President said.

President Tinubu welcomed a new member of the Authority, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

He stated that the 65th session will review regional concerns, noting: “We are aware of the enormous challenges, including terrorist activities and violent extremism threatening to spread from the Sahel region towards the coastal states. The political landscape remains fragile in some member states, especially those that witnessed unconstitutional changes of government.”

Calling for unity within the community, Tinubu emphasised that to elevate the people from poverty to prosperity, ECOWAS must develop innovative approaches to unleash the region’s vast economic potential.

“We must continue to identify and develop partnerships that promote investment in key sectors and regional trade. Furthermore, we must invest in our infrastructure and cultivate a conducive business environment to empower our communities to stimulate growth and build resilience against external shocks.

“Together, we can pave the way for a prosperous future for all of West Africa,” the President stated.

President Tinubu also called for support in re-electing Ambassador Bankole Adeoye as AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security in February 2025.

In his remarks, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, thanked Tinubu for his purposeful leadership, affirming that ECOWAS should be defined by development rather than conflicts, elections, and coup d’états.

Touray noted that the exit of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS will impact the citizens of those countries and other ECOWAS countries, due to the need for visas and the review of all trade and development agreements, including ongoing ECOWAS projects in those countries.