The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says
member countries must deepen its cooperation to overcome the challenges facing
the region.
Omar Touray, president of the ECOWAS Commission, made the
call on Wednesday during the organisation’s 50th anniversary celebration in
Lagos.
The event, themed ‘Stronger Together, For a Brighter
Future’, brought together heads of states, and dignitaries from across the
region.
Touray highlighted the current global context impacting the
region, including violence, extremism, terrorism, geopolitical rivalry,
economic uncertainty, and rising living costs.
“As we mark the golden jubilee, let us be reminded of the
current international context which impacts on our community namely the
persistence of violence, extremism and terrorism, the emergence of geopolitical
competition and rivalry, the mounting economic difficulties as a result of the
uncertainties in the global political and economic order, and the increasing
cost of living across the globe,” the ECOWAS president said.
“These challenges remind us of the need to go even closer,
strengthen our unity and cooperate as a region.”
He stressed that with solidarity and collective
self-reliance, the region can overcome major challenges such as terrorism,
climate change, unconstitutional changes of government, poverty, and economic
disparity.
“With our strong collective will, I have no doubt that we
shall overcome these challenges. As I have often said, our strength lies in our
unity, in our shared identity and in the spirit of solidarity that divides our
unity,” Touray added.
Highlighting its achievements over the last five decades,
the president said the ECOWAS project was built on the shared vision of
cooperation, integration, and progress.
According to Touray, the community has made notable progress
in facilitating free movement of citizens, boosting intra-regional trade, and
developing critical infrastructure.
He noted that ECOWAS has eased trade with international
partners and has also created a regional electricity market to improve energy
access for households and businesses.
Touray also noted the role of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment
and Development (EBID), which has mobilised and committed $4.5 billion in
investments across the region.
“We have stood together in the face of epidemics and
pandemics, in security and natural disasters, offering humanitarian support and
strengthening healthcare and food systems,” he said.
“We have invested in our most valuable resource, our people,
by promoting gender equality, youth employment and human capital development.
We have upheld democracy despite election observation missions and deployed our
standby force in defence of peace, regional stability and democracy.
“From the days of ECOMOG, when ECOWAS successfully put an
end to violent conflicts in the region, to this day of ours, we focus on
promoting youth entrepreneurship and digital economy through support to
startups and investments in infrastructure.
“We have demonstrated to the world that the African solution
actually works.”
‘ECOWAS GIVES SPECIAL ATTENTION TO CONCERNS OF CITIZENS’
The ECOWAS president also emphasised the importance of
citizens’ participation in shaping regional affairs, welcoming suggestions from
civil society on improving governance, security, and economic integration.
“We have continued to create space for our citizens to
participate in the integration process including the planned establishment of
the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of West Africa, which will serve as a
statutory advisory body of the ECOWAS decision maker in the near future,” he
said.
“As a democratic state, the ECOWAS region gives special
attention to the concerns of citizens and their aspirations.”
Touray also expressed optimism about continued unity with
Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic — three former members of the bloc.
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