President Bola Tinubu has emerged as the new Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Tinubu emerged as the ECOWAS Chairman in a unanimous endorsement at the organisation’s 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, on Sunday, July 9, 2023.

The president, who is the latest entrant into the exclusive club of Heads of State in West Africa, enthusiastically accepted the honour, on behalf of Nigeria, with a solemn pledge to bear the responsibility of the office and run an inclusive administration of the regional organisation.

He, however, warned that the threat to peace in the sub-region had reached an alarming proportion with terrorism and emerging pattern of military takeover that now demand urgent and concerted actions.

President Tinubu, who stressed that insecurity and creeping terrorism were stunting the progress and development of the region, called for collective action from member-states.

Tinubu, according to a statement issued by his spokesman, Dele Alake, pledged that under his leadership, frameworks would be harmonised to actualise the dreams of ECOWAS.

He said: “On peace and security, the threat has reached an alarming level, and needs urgent actions in addressing the challenges.

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“Indeed, without a peaceful environment, progress and development in the region will continue to remain elusive. In this regard, we must remain committed to the utilisation of all regional frameworks at our disposal to address the menace of insecurity.”

President Tinubu noted that ECOWAS had developed a security architecture, which he noted, “covers a wide range of areas that involved kinetic and non-kinetic operations, including preventive diplomacy. There is also the Regional Plan of Action on Fight against Terrorism 2020-2024 as well as the operationalisation of the ECOWAS Standby Force on Fight Against Terrorism.

“I will ensure that we immediately harmonize these plans and mobilize resources as well as the political will towards the actualisation of the initiatives. As terrorists do not respect boundaries, we must work collectively to have an effective regional counterterrorism measure,” President Tinubu stated.

On political stability, Tinubu said: “You will all agree with me that democracy and good governance are the cornerstones of peace and sustainable development of every society. I’m fully committed to deepening democracy and good governance in the region.

“We must strengthen our democratic institutions and ensure the respect for human rights and the rule of law. I will enhance engagements with the countries in transition to ensure their quick return to democratic rule.”

The new ECOWAS Chairman, therefore, called for improved private sector participation in the effort towards the economic development of Member States as well as their social integration.

Also speaking at the event, the outgone ECOWAS Chairman and President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco Embalo, hailed his fellow leaders for sustaining the vision of the organisation despite the global economic headwinds and trouble spots within the region.

Embalo, who cited Mali, Burkina Faso, and Republic of Guinea as countries where the constitutional order had been distorted, congratulated Nigeria and Sierra Leone for sustaining constitutional order through democratic process with the recent successful elections.

The Star