Political stability, security top agenda at ECOWAS meeting

The 53rd Session of the Mediation and Security Council (MSC) of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) opened, yesterday, in Abuja with political stability and regional security topping the agenda.

Amid increasing socio-political and economic challenges confronting the region, the ministers pledged commitment to collective security, deepened democratic governance and economic development.

Chairman of MSC and Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb Yusuf Tuggar, stated that without political stability, people’s aspirations for prosperity and progress would not be realised.

“We must strengthen governance frameworks and promote inclusive, peaceful political transitions,” he said.

Tuggar also commended the successful general elections conducted in Ghana and Senegal, describing them as true exemplars of democratic consolidation in West Africa.

While condemning the growing threats posed by terrorism, violent extremism and organised crime, he urged member states to intensify efforts in collectively tackling insecurity.

As the ECOWAS Regional Action Plan on the Fight Against Terrorism winds up this year, Tuggar called for a forward-looking strategy that will sustain regional security.

Declaring the session open, the minister said: “Let us reaffirm our collective commitment to a peaceful, secure and united West Africa.”

Earlier in his remarks, the President of ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, highlighted the progress made in the region as well as the challenges.

According to him, as the regional body prepares to celebrate the golden jubilee of its integration efforts, it is confronted with a disintegration threat, as some member states are on the verge of withdrawing their membership from the bloc, except for last-minute intervention.

Three countries under military government – Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso – had, last January, jointly announced the intention to withdraw their membership of the bloc. Except the announcement is reversed, it will take effect next month.

Some of the commission’s achievements, Touray claimed, include the absence of piracy incidents in 2024, which he credited to enhanced maritime security operations led by Nigeria, Benin and Togo.

He also applauded the progress in the operationalisation of ECOWAS Standby Force, which is hoped to enhance regional capacity for rapid response to security threats.

The meeting also highlighted the urgent humanitarian situation in the region, as millions have been displaced due to food insecurity, climate-related disasters and political instability.

They equally called for the operationalisation of National Early Warning and Response Centres and other necessary measures to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.