By Enyichukwu Enemanna
West African leaders must maintain open lines of dialogue with Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso governed by the military so as to foster engagement, reconciliation, and inclusive regional cooperation, President of Liberia, Joseph Boakai urged on Saturday.
Speaking at the inaugural West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, Boakai called for talks with states that have “unfortunately” taken divergent paths, with their exit from the regional bloc. They have also gone ahead to form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), ditching ECOWAS.
“At the 66th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority, Liberia called for renewed hands with member states who have taken divergent action.
“Today, I wish to echo that appeal: we must keep the door open for engagement and reconciliation, especially to our sister states that have unfortunately exited the community,” Boakai said.
In January 2025, ECOWAS formally acknowledged the withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso—now members of the Alliance of Sahel States—following tensions rooted in the 2023 Niger coup.
The Liberian leader also reaffirmed his country’s commitment to ECOWAS, particularly in areas of conflict prevention and regional mediation.
He said, “Peace and stability are the foundation upon which our economic aspirations must rest. Liberia remains fully committed to promoting productive sub-regional interactions, national cohesion, and democratic governance throughout the region.”
Boakai extended appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for convening the summit and praised what he described as a “visionary leadership” in hosting a platform aimed at reflection, coordination, and economic transformation across West Africa.
“Even after 50 years of extensive cooperation, the challenges we face are still present and complex—but they are not insurmountable.
“Our vision is to transform Liberia into a stable, transparent, and attractive destination for private sector investment within an inclusive environment. We are working closely with ECOWAS to harmonise policies, reduce trade barriers, and enhance competitiveness,” he said.
Boakai also voiced strong support for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a transformative tool for regional economic integration.
He also outlined Liberia’s priorities in sustainable agriculture, innovation, digital transformation, and infrastructure development to improve the quality of life for its citizens.
“Let us seize this opportunity to deepen our collaboration, mobilise resources, and transform the potential of our region for our people,” he added.
