Tinubu Presides Over 66th ECOWAS Summit
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
President Bola Tinubu is about now presiding over the 66th Ordinary Summit of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at the State House, Abuja.
Today’s executive session is expected to focus on advancing regional economic integration and ensuring institutional stability, among other issues.
The summit is taking place in the wake of regional concerns, following the announcement of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger’s decision to withdraw from ECOWAS.
The annual summit will also review the organisation’s sanctions imposed on the three nations following recent military coups, with the goal of balancing diplomatic efforts with its fundamental commitment to promoting democracy.
The meeting will address pressing issues such as tackling the surge of terrorism in the Sahel and political instability in member states.
The meeting will also discuss accelerating the adoption of the ECO, ECOWAS’s proposed single currency and bolstering trade among member states.
The leaders of the regional bloc will also review progress and timelines in countries under military rule, with emphasis on shorter transitions to civilian governance.
During its last summit, President Tinubu appointed Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to mediate between ECOWAS and the trio of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.
President Faye’s report is also expected to be presented before the ECOWAS leaders.
Participating countries at the summit include Benin Republic, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.
Details later…
