ECOWAS Member States' Ministers in charge of Foreign Affairs convened in Abuja on Thursday, July 4, 2024, for the ninety-second ordinary session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers. This session serves as a crucial platform for reviewing ECOWAS programs and addressing key regional issues.
In his opening remarks, ECOWAS Commission President H.E. Dr. Omar Touray outlined several critical topics for discussion. These included the socio-economic, security, and political conditions within the community, the financial status of ECOWAS institutions, challenges in Community Levy mobilization, and the implementation of previous tasks.
President Touray also highlighted the need for a special summit to reassess ECOWAS’s integration, governance, relations with external partners, community norms, and approaches to emerging issues such as new technologies, social media, fake news, and multipolarity. “The developmental goal of ECOWAS integration is being questioned due to various crises. Unity and solidarity are crucial. The upcoming Summit aims to establish minimum cooperation points for member states to address community-wide issues,” said President Touray.
He reiterated the high regard ECOWAS holds within Africa and urged unity of purpose to ensure shared prosperity and a stronger community. He also called for increased contributions to the 2021-2024 Action Plan against Terrorism, stressing the need for a finalized financing plan for the ECOWAS Counter-terrorism Force. This call follows outcomes from recent meetings of Ministers of Finance and Defence where member states were tasked with proposing mandatory contributions to finance the fund aiding in combating terrorism.
Dr. Touray stated that despite ongoing efforts to engage with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger regarding their withdrawal from ECOWAS and transition to civilian rule, significant progress remains elusive. However, positive assurances have been received from Guinea regarding community unity. President Touray emphasized pooling resources and pursuing collective self-reliance to overcome challenges like food insecurity, inflation, violent extremism, forced displacements, unemployment, and geopolitical tensions.
H.E. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria and Chairman of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers echoed these sentiments in his welcome address. He acknowledged significant progress made by ECOWAS towards regional integration but highlighted remaining complex challenges: “Our region still faces complex challenges that require dedication commitment concerted action I implore all us maintain strength unity cooperation always guided our deliberations” said H.E TUGGAR
This session’s agenda will address diverse pressing issues facing community including updates financial situation status tasks assigned Community Institutions resolutions 35th Administration Finance Committee goal ensure fiscal prudence transparency while promoting socio-economic integration strengthening diversity through shared perspectives experiences
The Council Minister ends tomorrow July 5 2024 adopted recommendations presented Summit Heads State Government validation schedule take place Abuja Sunday July 7 2024
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