President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has emphasized the importance of unity and constructive dialogue among West African leaders to address the political, peace, and security challenges facing the sub-region.
His remarks came during the Extraordinary Summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held at the State House conference hall in Abuja.
In his address, President Tinubu highlighted the critical role of collective efforts in overcoming political challenges within the region. He urged his counterparts to exercise prudent judgment and work together to devise lasting solutions to pressing issues.
“We are gathered here to address pressing developments in our sub-region surrounding the peace and security as well as the political situations in the Republics of Niger, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali.
“Permit me to say that the complexities of the issues at hand necessitate a comprehensive and collaborative approach. Accordingly, it is incumbent upon us to engage in constructive dialogue, exercise prudent judgement, and work collectively towards finding enduring solutions that will lead to sustainable peace and security as well as political stability in our region.
“The gravity of our responsibilities as leaders in these challenging times cannot be overstated and it is through our concerted efforts and a deep sense of history that we can address these challenges in the spirit of shared vision, solidarity and collective responsibilities.”
Specifically addressing the leaders of Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali, who have expressed intentions to withdraw from ECOWAS, President Tinubu appealed to them to reconsider their decisions for the welfare of their people.
President Tinubu expressed optimism in the collective determination to find sustainable solutions to the sub-region’s troubles. He underscored the significance of the summit’s outcomes, which would be influenced by the memorandum presented by the chairman of the ECOWAS Commission, providing updates on the situations in the aforementioned countries.
Commending President Macky Sall of Senegal for his decision to step down at the end of his current tenure, President Tinubu recognized it as a positive example of leadership in the region.
The summit, convened at a critical time, aims to focus on regional issues and safeguard constitutional order, uphold democratic principles, and promote the social and economic well-being of citizens across member states.
President Tinubu emphasized the need to engage in constructive deliberations to ensure that the stability of nations withdrawing from ECOWAS is maintained, underscoring the interconnectedness of peace and security in West Africa.
He urged leaders to prioritize the plight of ordinary citizens in their decisions and reaffirmed ECOWAS’s commitment to promoting economic integration, democracy, and human rights for sustainable development across member states.
President Tinubu concluded by urging the nations considering withdrawal from ECOWAS to reconsider their decision and not perceive the organization as an enemy. He expressed confidence that through collective efforts, the challenges facing West Africa could be navigated, leading to a more peaceful, secure, and prosperous sub-region.
