Tinubu Re-Elected As ECOWAS Chairman

Nearly one year after taking office, President Bola Tinubu has been re-elected as chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Former ECOWAS chairman and current Nigerian leader was re-elected during the 65th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in May 2023. On Sunday, the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, hosted that gathering.

President Tinubu emphasised the need for ECOWAS member states to pledge financial resources to aid in the fight against terrorism in the region during his opening remarks at the summit.

In his address to the group, he stressed the need of having both strong political will and sufficient financial resources in order to put the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) into action against terrorism.

“We must therefore ensure that we meet the expectations and recommendations set forth by our defence and finance ministers in order to counter the insecurity and stabilise our region.” Extra financial commitments from member states are needed to stabilise the area.

There has been a spate of coups in ECOWAS member nations recently, which has affected the organisation. The Republic of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso are all under the rule of juntas.

Sanctions, including border closures, were placed on the three nations by ECOWAS following the coups.

A few time after the countries’ suspension in February was lifted, they withdrew from the regional bloc. The three announced their formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and stated that they have “irrevocably turned their backs” on ECOWAS.

Abdourahamane Tiani, the head of the Niger Republic’s military, accused ECOWAS of being unable to deal with the influx of jihadists into the region during Saturday’s AES inaugural conference in Niamey, the capital of Niger.

An utter rejection of ECOWAS has been made by our people, Tiani declared.