ECOWAS@49: Touray calls for unity to end insecurity
The President, Economic Community of West African States Commission, Omar Touray has called for unity among member states as a crucial step towards ending insecurity in the sub-region.
Touray made this statement on Tuesday during the commemoration of ECOWAS’ 49th anniversary, themed ‘Strengthening Regional Unity, Peace, and Security.’
Touray emphasised that regional unity was essential for preserving peace and security, which are core objectives established by the founding fathers of the commission.
Reflecting on the history of ECOWAS, Touray noted that the Founding Fathers, who signed the treaty creating the organisation 49 years ago, aimed to unite the people of West Africa around common ideals of shared prosperity.
“These are goals that the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government work to safeguard every day through their efforts to ensure the security of our people and protect the integrity of our territories,” he said.
He warned that the breakup of the bloc would be incomprehensible and unforgivable to past, present and future generations.
Touray said, “Precisely 49 years ago, the Founding Fathers signed the treaty creating the Economic Community of West African States. Since then, ECOWAS has served the region and continues to unite our people around the common ideals of shared prosperity.
“It is clear that we must stay united if we want to be successful in the fight against insecurity. But it is our unity that now stands threatened. We must do everything to preserve our unity.
“We are convinced that in unity, we will preserve peace and strengthen our actions for the security of our member states and our people.”
Touray highlighted ECOWAS’ achievements in promoting free movement, intra-community trade, regional energy, and transport infrastructure, as well as governance and peace and security.
He, however, acknowledged that insecurity remains a significant challenge, with some member states battling terrorist groups daily, leading to displacement and food insecurity for many in the region.
“ECOWAS may have realised many achievements, but the community continues to face several challenges. As we celebrate our 49th anniversary, insecurity continues to threaten our region. Some of our member states are battling terrorist groups daily and a large number of our population faces displacement and food insecurity.
“As we celebrate ECOWAS 49th anniversary, let us recall some of the tangible and positive results the community has to its credit. These achievements can be seen in many areas including free movement of our people, intra-community trade, regional energy, and transport infrastructure, governance as well as in peace and security.
“We remain convinced that together we can build on these achievements and attain the objectives in our Vision 2050 of a fully integrated community of peoples in a peaceful and prosperous region with strong institutions that respect fundamental freedoms and work towards inclusive and sustainable development,” he added.
Widely seen as West Africa’s top political and regional authority, the 15-nation bloc of ECOWAS – formed in 1975 to promote economic integration in member states – has struggled in recent years to reverse a wave of military takeovers in the region, including Mali in 2020 and 2021, Burkina Faso in 2022, and Niger last year.
Unfortunately, the three countries – Burkina Faso, Mali and the Republic of Niger, announced their exit from ECOWAS on Sunday, January 28, 2024, and formed the Alliance of Sahel States.
The three countries, which are currently under military rule, said in a joint statement that they ceased to be members of ECOWAS as the regional body had allegedly “moved away from the ideals of its founding fathers and pan-Africanism.”
Thereafter, ECOWAS imposed several sanctions on the three nations, which were later lifted in February 2024 following the intervention of Nigeria’s ex-military head of state, Gen. Yakubu Gowon.
Touray said the decisions were taken in the interest of unity and security in the African sub-region.
