On May 28, 2024, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) marked its 49th anniversary. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, delivered a message reflecting on the achievements and challenges faced by the organization since its inception.
"Precisely 49 years ago, the Founding Fathers signed the treaty creating the Economic Community of West African States," Dr. Touray stated. He highlighted ECOWAS's accomplishments in areas such as free movement of people, intra-community trade, regional energy and transport infrastructure, governance, and peace and security.
Dr. Touray emphasized the importance of building on these achievements to attain the objectives outlined in 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."
However, he acknowledged ongoing challenges: "Insecurity continues to threaten our region. Some of our member states are battling terrorist groups on a daily basis and large numbers of our population face displacement and food insecurity." Dr. Touray stressed the need for unity in addressing these issues: "We must do everything to preserve our unity because to quote General Yakubu Gowon, one of the founding fathers of ECOWAS, neither the generation of our founding fathers nor the present or future generations can understand or will be forgiving for the breakup of our community."
The theme for this year's celebration is “Strengthening regional unity, peace and security.” Dr. Touray explained that this theme reflects current challenges and underscores the necessity to maintain regional unity and peace—objectives set forth by ECOWAS's Founding Fathers.
He expressed gratitude to leaders past and present, members of the community, staff of all ECOWAS institutions and agencies, as well as local and international partners for their support in promoting community objectives.
Dr. Touray concluded his message with words of hope: "We are convinced that in unity, we will preserve peace and strengthen our actions for the security of our Member States and our people. Through unity, we will preserve regional stability and harmonious political and socio-economic development."
He closed by wishing everyone a happy anniversary: "Long live our ECOWAS Community. Long live African unity."
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