ECOWAS President Calls On The Bloc To Address Integration Obstacles

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is grappling with integration challenges and aims to address them by fostering greater unity, solidarity, and fraternity among its members.

At the 37th ordinary meeting of the ECOWAS Administration and Finance Committee (AFC) held on Sunday at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, Dr. Omar Touray, President of the commission, outlined these concerns and the proposed course of action.

According to NAN, the AFC meeting was convened to assess the mid-term progress of ECOWAS institutions’ decisions, programs, projects, and activities.

Represented by ECOWAS Vice President Mrs. Damtien Tchintchibidja, Touray explained that the review focused on addressing the community’s challenging financial situation.

He noted that the meeting would also explore ways to mitigate the impact of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger’s withdrawal from ECOWAS to preserve the achievements of 50 years of regional integration.

Touray added that the AFC session would provide updates to member states on recruitment progress within the commission’s institutions.

“As you know, our organisation is currently going through an existential crisis, and in such circumstances, we must sit down together and pose and examine the problems and challenges facing us.

“Our organisation is at a crossroads, and this calls for a strong capacity to overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of integration and to project ourselves into the future.

“But beyond all that, we must be aware and recognise that our strength lies in unity, solidarity and fraternity, moving forward together on the road to development, in peace and stability,” he said.

Touray emphasized that the recent 50th anniversary of ECOWAS and the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger underscored the urgency of accelerating institutional, organizational, political, and security reforms.

He revealed that, following the decisions of the Heads of State and Government, the commission would soon hold a summit on the future of ECOWAS.

“Prior consultations will be organised, including with young people and women, to take into account all the needs for the future of the community.

“I would like to remind you that ECOWAS is in all of us: you here today, me, and all the citizens of our community space.

“It lives through our collective commitment, our solidarity, our fraternity and our shared desire to build a more prosperous and forward-looking region,” he added.

ECOWAS Commissioner for Internal Services, Prof. Nazifi Darma, highlighted that the shifting landscape of global aid and financing prompted the commission’s recent acquisition of new communications infrastructure.

He called on member states to reconsider how resources are generated and utilized, noting that the new equipment would enhance the modernization of the commission’s communication operations.

“Donor support is diminishing in the new world order. We must begin to explore indigenous, creative approaches to finance and service delivery within the region,” he said.

AFC Chairman Amb. Olawale Awe stressed the importance of proactive steps to tackle critical issues, such as staffing shortages across ECOWAS institutions and the community levy, particularly in light of the Sahel States’ withdrawal.

“We must act decisively to fill these institutional voids to maintain the momentum of our mandate.

“The Commission cannot afford stagnation at a time when the region demands progress,” he said.

The meeting was attended by prominent ECOWAS figures, including commissioners, parliamentarians, representatives from the Community Court, resident representatives, and heads of ECOWAS institutions and agencies, among others.