By Enyichukwu Enemanna
President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu on Sunday addressed African leaders on the status of the regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), highlighting the progress so far made to deal with prevailing challenges in the region.
At the Sixth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union on Sunday in Accra, Ghana, President Tinubu who is the Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, said the Community has activated a Standby Force to counter terrorism and will continue to explore funding options, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale said in a statement.
ECOWAS has been supporting member states to enhance electoral and governance processes, and recently deployed Election Observation Missions to Senegal and Togo – both of which elections were adjudged to be peaceful, transparent, and fair, the Nigerian leader was quoted by his media aide as saying.
The Nigerian leader also highlighted the facilitation of the signing of an Agreement for National Unity in Sierra Leone, noting that the sub-regional body will continue to work with stakeholders in the country to implement the provisions of the Agreement.
The President disclosed that consultations are ongoing to revise the ECOWAS 2001 Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
On economic integration, President Tinubu said ECOWAS has implemented activities to consolidate the free trade area, customs union, and common market.
“We supported six Member States in ratifying the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, and thirteen Member States have ratified the AFCFTA agreement.
“The ECOWAS interconnected System for the Management of Goods in Transit (SIGMAT) is also operational in twelve Member States,” the President stated.
Detailing the efforts on the humanitarian and social development front, President Tinubu said ECOWAS has allocated $9 million to assist persons of concern, including refugees, internally displaced persons, and asylum seekers.
“The frontline Member States in the fight against terrorism have also been supported with USD4 million under the ECOWAS Counter Terrorism Humanitarian Response.
“On education, the West African Network of National Academies of Sciences, and the African Forum for Research and Innovation have been established. Our regional Academic Mobility Scheme has continued to equip the youth with practical skills and is harmonizing education systems.
“While in the area of health, ECOWAS continues to provide support to women with obstetric fistula, empowered women entrepreneurs in agribusiness, and focused on gender equality in education and the green economy,” the ECOWAS Chairman stated.
