President Barrow participated in the 66th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Summit held in Abuja. During this session, the establishment of a Special Tribunal for The Gambia was approved by ECOWAS to address human rights violations committed during Yahya Jammeh's regime from 1994 to 2017.
President Barrow expressed gratitude towards ECOWAS for approving this decision and reaffirmed his administration's commitment to ensuring justice for victims of past abuses. He emphasized addressing issues such as poverty, women empowerment, irregular migration, and youth unemployment through practical and coordinated approaches.
The Chairman of ECOWAS and President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, highlighted significant progress made by ECOWAS in supporting democratic governance and regional integration. He acknowledged challenges faced by the sub-region despite successes. Dr. Omar Touray, President of ECOWAS, praised member states' political maturity with recent elections in Ghana and Senegal as examples.
On economic matters, Dr. Touray noted progress in regional economic integration amidst global challenges. African Union Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat called for enhanced cooperation within the region to tackle financial challenges and prioritizing peace and security against emerging threats.
A communiqué at the summit's conclusion confirmed Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger's withdrawal from ECOWAS effective January 29, 2025.
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