New ECOWAS Commission President, Birame Diop, has pledged to deepen cooperation with Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, despite their withdrawal from the regional bloc and formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Diop made the commitment on Monday during his formal inauguration in Abuja.
Diop said ECOWAS must strengthen internal cohesion while maintaining engagement with the three Sahel countries, noting that geography, shared borders and common security and socioeconomic challenges made cooperation necessary. He identified terrorism, irregular migration, transnational crime and environmental challenges as issues requiring coordinated action.
Outgoing ECOWAS Commission President, Dr Omar Touray, said his administration had recorded progress in regional infrastructure, electricity, trade and transport corridors, economic integration and preparations for the proposed ECO currency. He also highlighted investments in food security, youth, women, education and skills development.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye, urged the new ECOWAS leadership to prioritise regional integration, peace and security, while demanding stronger financial accountability. He said Nigeria remained committed to ECOWAS but expected the organisation to justify the investments and sacrifices made by member states.
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