Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has been re-elected as the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This is even as Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republics officially inaugurated the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
He was re-elected at the 65th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of States and Government at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Nigeria.
President Tinubu, who accepted his re-election, appointed the President of Senegal to join in the mediation with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic.
The Nigeria President, whose one-year tenure as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority is expected to expire on July 9, urged member states to honor their financial obligations to enable ECOWAS to operationalize its Standby Force (ESF) and combat terrorism, banditry and violent extremism.
He contended that fulfilling the commitments will help stabilize the region and counter insecurity, adding that by meeting their financial commitments, ECOWAS member states will demonstrate their dedication to regional security and cooperation, enabling the community to better address the security challenges facing West Africa.
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“Let me underscore that a peaceful and secure society is essential for achieving our potentials, move to operationalise the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) in combating terrorism, I must emphasise that the success of this plan requires, not only strong political will, but also substantial financial resources.
“We must therefore ensure that we meet the expectations and recommendations set forth by our ministers of Defense and Finance in order to counter the insecurity and stabilise our region. Member states must make extra commitment on providing resources for stabilizing the region.
“To this end, I urge ECOWAS to leverage on the capability of the Nigeria National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC), which is widely acknowledge as one of the best on the continent.
“The Nigerian government has decided to declare the NCTC as a regional centre to enable all ECOWAS member states benefit from capacity building and other related opportunities it offers.
“Your excellencies, dear heads of state, I urge those of you with time to visit the centre before your departure and assess first-hand on the facilities and the capabilities of NCTC”, President Tinubu said.
Alliance of Sahel States (AES)
Meanwhile, the Heads of the ECOWAS states held the 63rd Summit without their counterparts from Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
The three military rulers on Saturday, July 6, formally inaugurated the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) during their meeting in Niamey, a move that indicates severing ties with ECOWAS.
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States, last September.
On the strength of the alliance, the three countries commit to cooperate in the event of external aggression against them.
The three countries announced their exit from ECOWAS in January this year after ECOWAS moved against the respective military governments that toppled constituted democratic leaderships in those countries.
Speaking during their summit in Niamey on Saturday, Niger’s General Abdourahamane Tchiani described ECOWAS as a threat to the military-led countries.
He said the three countries would run an alliance free of foreign influence for their people.
Burkina Faso had its coup, toppling the civil democracy in place, in September 2022; Mali in August 2021 and Niger in July 2023.
