• Commission commits to free movement of persons in Burkina-Faso, others
In a combined effort to promote peace, security and trade across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the European Union, in partnership with the governments of Spain and Germany, has set aside the sum of €110 million towards the running of four multi-sector projects.

ECOWAS President, Dr Omar Touray, said that the four projects were expected to drive not just peace and security in the region, but also to boost trade, governance, institutional frameworks and cooperation with partner countries.

Speaking at the launch of the projects in Abuja, he said: “The projects seek to strengthen regional peace and stability, as well as support institutional reforms and trade within the community. The projects align with ECOWAS strategy orientations.”

Touray listed the four initiatives to include the ECOWAS Peace, Security and Governance Project, the Institutional Support Project, the Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access project and the African Country Trade and Services.

He added: “The budget of these projects is 110 million euros, coming from the EU, Germany and Spain. We are grateful for these funds, for the continued and multiple support towards these four projects, because the objectives pursued through these four projects are vital to ECOWAS and ECOWAS members.”

MEANWHILE, Touray said that the community has agreed to maintain the status quo on free movement of persons and trade with Burkina-Faso, Mali and the Niger Republic.

The three countries officially withdrew from the regional body in January 2025 due to a fallout occasioned by the undemocratic change of government in the three countries.

The three states have since set up the Alliance of Sahel States, with their common travel document.

However, Touray in his address, yesterday, at the joint project launch of four initiatives aimed at enhancing trade in the West Africa region, disclosed that despite their withdrawal and launch of Alliance of Sahel States, ECOWAS agreed to still allow for free movement of persons and goods and also trade until a new agreement is in place.

He noted that ECOWAS was more concerned about the welfare of the citizens.

The initiative is in conjunction with UNIDO, GIZ, the EU, the German and Spanish governments, Expertise France, AECID, FIAP and ITC.

Flagging off the launch, Touray said the agreement was reached at its meeting in Accra, Ghana, in April 2025.

He said, “We have agreed that until we adopt a new agreement, we will maintain the status quo in all areas. Status quo in the area of trade, status quo in the area of free movement.”