Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Tinubu has been unanimously re-elected as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) during the 65th Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, held on Sunday in Abuja.
In his address, President Tinubu emphasized the urgent need for establishing and sustaining a regional standby force to bolster security and economic stability within the community. He highlighted the increasing security threats in the region, advocating for enhanced cooperation and resource allocation among member states.
“The Regional Action Plan against Terrorism has enhanced cooperation on training, intelligence sharing, and humanitarian interventions,” Tinubu stated. He noted the recent meeting of ECOWAS Ministers of Finance and Defence in Abuja, where they discussed funding the activation of the ECOWAS Standby Force to strengthen counter-terrorism efforts.
President Tinubu stressed the importance of member countries increasing their defence budgets and acquiring necessary equipment to ensure preparedness. He called for a collective commitment to securing the region, underscoring that peace and security are essential for achieving the community’s full potential.
“To operationalize the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) in combating terrorism, we need strong political will and substantial financial resources,” he asserted. Tinubu urged member states to meet the expectations set by their Ministers of Defence and Finance to counter insecurity and stabilize the region.
Additionally, President Tinubu encouraged ECOWAS leaders to utilize the capabilities of Nigeria’s National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), which is recognized as one of the best on the continent, to enhance their counter-terrorism strategies.
The re-election of President Tinubu and his call to action mark a pivotal moment for ECOWAS as it seeks to address security challenges and promote economic growth across West Africa.
