By John Ikani
Senior officials from ECOWAS nations responsible for foreign affairs and defense have convened in Abuja, Nigeria, for the 53rd Ministerial Meeting of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC).
The gathering is being hosted at the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Nigeria’s capital city.
In July, the Council’s 52nd session delved into pressing political and security issues affecting the region.
Attention was also given to fostering smooth democratic transitions and ensuring credible elections across member states.
The current meeting is being led by Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.
During his address, Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, praised the leadership shown by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu in advancing regional priorities.
However, he raised concerns over the decision by three member states to consider withdrawing from the bloc, an issue coming to light as ECOWAS nears its 50-year milestone.
Touray encouraged the member countries to reaffirm their dedication to the core principles of the regional body.
He outlined that the session’s agenda would address political dynamics, regional security concerns, humanitarian challenges, and the proposal to create a tribunal for investigating human rights abuses.
Chairing the session, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar acknowledged Ghana’s success in conducting peaceful elections.
He highlighted the link between political stability and economic development, urging West African nations to step up their efforts toward peacebuilding.
Tuggar also underscored the critical role of regional solidarity in combating shared security threats.
In his remarks, he emphasized the importance of sustaining counter-terrorism efforts, particularly as incidents of extremist violence continue to rise.
Addressing humanitarian issues, he called for a broader focus on supporting communities impacted by disasters and insecurity to ensure no one is left behind.
The minister also stressed the need for collective action to curb money laundering and terrorist financing, not only within the region but across the African continent.
On maritime security, he noted the significant progress achieved, pointing out that no major violations had been recorded in the ECOWAS maritime zone throughout 2024.
As part of the meeting, updates were expected on the operational readiness of the ECOWAS Standby Force, which plays a key role in regional security strategies.
