The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, has reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s efforts in promoting peace, stability, and development in the Horn of Africa. Dr. Touray emphasized the importance of inter-regional dialogue and cooperation to address cross-border challenges and advance the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
This assurance was given during a meeting with Ambassador Legesse Geremew Haile, Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Nigeria, at the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Abuja on October 30, 2025. The discussion focused on political and security developments in Ethiopia and the broader Horn of Africa region.
Dr. Touray acknowledged Ethiopia’s progress in development, peacebuilding, and reconciliation. He stated that ECOWAS is prepared to work closely with Ethiopia, the African Union, and other regional organizations to promote peace and integration across Africa.
“I want to use this opportunity to congratulate the government of Ethiopia for the completion and inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) The Dam is very critical in providing improved of electricity and will bring development to Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa. Congratulations also to Ethiopian for the major improvement on the debt situation of the country. It shows that with good policies, peace and security; the sky is the limit for the country, region and continent,” Dr. Touray said.
He added: “The peace, security, stability and integration of the Horn of Africa and the continent is very important to ECOWAS. I have taken note of the emphasis the government of Ethiopia has placed on its willingness to continue to engage and dialogue with any of the Riparian States that wants to engage with them . This is extremely important because our mutual co-existence needs to be enhanced through dialogue. The Government of Ethiopia can be rest assured of ECOWAS’ support in promoting this kind of dialogue and engagement.”
Ambassador Haile outlined his government’s efforts toward consolidating peace, enhancing regional cooperation, and fostering socio-economic growth. He highlighted projects such as GERD—Africa’s largest hydroelectric dam—and ongoing initiatives aimed at addressing concerns from neighboring countries through dialogue.
“The recent successful completion and inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is a very big achievement for the ordinary Ethiopians. The Dam has the capacity to generate about 5,500 Megawatts of electricity. This will serve not only about 16 million plus Ethiopians, but it will also improve power supply in our neighbouring countries. The government of Ethiopia is willing and committed to addressing the concerns of the Riparian States and reach an understanding with them through dialogue in the overall interest, peace and stability of the region,” he said.
Both parties concluded by expressing their intention to deepen cooperation between ECOWAS and Ethiopia on matters such as governance, regional integration, peace, and security.