ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has acknowledged ongoing integration challenges and is pushing to strengthen unity, solidarity and fraternity within the bloc to overcome them.
President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray outlined these concerns and plans during the 37th Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Administration and Finance Committee (AFC), held on Sunday at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the meeting was convened to assess the mid-term implementation of decisions, programmes, projects, and activities across ECOWAS institutions.
Touray, represented by the ECOWAS Vice President, Mrs. Damtien Tchintchibidja, noted that the review aimed to reflect on the bloc’s financial constraints and operational performance.
He stressed that the gathering would also address the impact of the recent withdrawals of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS, with a focus on mitigating the consequences and safeguarding the gains of 50 years of integration.
The AFC session, he added, would also provide updates on the progress of recruitment processes across ECOWAS institutions.
“As you know, our organisation is currently going through an existential crisis and in such circumstances, we must sit down together, pose and examine the problems and challenges facing us,” Touray stated.
“Our organisation is at a crossroads, and this calls for a strong capacity to overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of integration and to project ourselves into the future.
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“But beyond all that, we must be aware and recognise that our strength lies in unity, solidarity and fraternity, moving forward together on the road to development, in peace and stability.”
Touray pointed out that the recent fiftieth anniversary of ECOWAS and the exit of the three Sahel nations highlighted the urgency for sweeping institutional, organisational, political and security reforms.
He disclosed that the commission, following the directive of the Heads of State and Government, would soon convene a summit to discuss the future of ECOWAS.
“Prior consultations will be organised, including with young people and women, to take into account all the needs for the future of the community.
“I would like to remind you that ECOWAS is in all of us: you here today, me, and all the citizens of our community space.
“It lives through our collective commitment, our solidarity, our fraternity and our shared desire to build a more prosperous and forward-looking region,” he added.
Also speaking at the session, ECOWAS Commissioner for Internal Services, Prof. Nazifi Darma, highlighted the shrinking availability of global aid and financing as a reason behind the commission’s recent decision to upgrade its communications infrastructure.
“Donor support is diminishing in the new world order. We must begin to explore indigenous, creative approaches to finance and service delivery within the region,” Darma said, urging member states to rethink how resources are generated and used.
Chairman of the AFC, Ambassador Olawale Awe, underscored the urgency of filling staffing gaps across ECOWAS institutions and addressing the implications of the Sahel states’ withdrawal on the community levy.
“We must act decisively to fill these institutional voids to maintain the momentum of our mandate.
“The Commission cannot afford stagnation at a time when the region demands progress,” Awe warned.
The event drew participation from high-ranking ECOWAS officials, including commissioners, parliamentarians, judges of the Community Court, resident representatives, and heads of institutions and agencies.
(NAN)