Regional security, economy, take center stage as ECOWAS leaders meet
By The challenges of insecurity and fragile economy took center stage Saturday as 54th session of the Authority of Heads of States and governments of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), kicks off in Abuja
Chairman of the Authority of Heads of States and Governments of ECOWAS, President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, in his welcome address drew the attention of ECOWAS leaders to the continuing insecurity , the challenges of climate change as well as its negative effects on farming systems, calling for stronger ECOWAS ties if the region must over come them
Buhari who cited globalization of crime and terrorism, which the region is now required to tackle on daily basis, said such unity is required “to join forces to eliminate these factors that militate against a secure, conducive and prosperous environment for the benefit of our people”, adding that “ these realities remind us of the need for even stronger intra-ECOWAS solidarity in order to address emerging challenges.”
Buhari noted that ECOWAS is still confronted by several challenges, as the sub-region continues to face difficulties in the economic, governance, peace, security and humanitarian fields.
These challenges are coming because several years after its inauguration in 1976, ECOWAS is yet to meet the primary objective of its founding fathers as set out in its Treaty, which includes to promote cooperation and integration, leading to the establishment of an Economic and Monetary Union in West Africa, in order to raise the living standards of our people and contribute to the progress and development of the African continent.
ECOWAS founding leaders were inspired to create a borderless, peaceful, prosperous and cohesive region, based on good governance and where our people have the capacity to access and harness its resources through the creation of opportunities for sustainable development, job creation and environmental preservation.
Buhari noted however that these lofty ideals cannot be attained without peace and security.
“That is why I have decided to make the issue of peace and security the major focus of my Chairmanship. I am happy to inform this august assembly that our efforts have started yielding dividends as we have been able to douse tension and restore confidence in some potentially disruptive political situations, particularly in Guinea Bissau, Togo and Mali.”
He expressed concern that terrorism and violent extremism have continued to threaten the peace and security in our sub-region, which according to him, “ calls for for collective action on our part, if we are to effectively and definitively eliminate it. As we work on new strategies to combat and eradicate this menace, we require the support of our partners to ensure the achievement of our objectives.”
The President who noted that Nigeria and Senegal will hold general elections in February 2019, recalled his pledge to conduct free, fair and credible elections, in 2019
“In the same vein, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and other political stakeholders, have expressed their unwavering commitment to the conduct of peaceful elections devoid of violence, rancour and acrimony, in the higher interest of the nation.”
“Our determination to create a safe and stable sub-region must be predicated on a strong and capable organization. You will all agree with me that no institution can function effectively without adequate funding.”
“This would require that all hands are on deck and that all Member States ensure the payment of the Statutory Community Levy as and as when due. By so doing, we will empower and enable the Commission to implement the Integration Agenda, as we march towards the year 2020, and actualize our vision of building an ECOWAS of Peoples and not of States.”
He listed other items on the agenda to include consideration of the 2018 Annual Report of ECOWAS, Report of the 81st Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers Report of the 41st Ordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council, Reports on the Political and Security Situation of the Region, and Report on the Process for the Establishment of the ECOWAS Single Currency.