President Bola Tinubu convened the extraordinary summit of the Economic Community of West African States on the political, peace, and security situation in the sub-region with a poignant call for unity among leaders to address the prevailing political challenges.
In his address at the event held in the State House Conference hall, Abuja, Tinubu underscored the imperative for leaders to approach the issues with prudence and work collectively to find enduring solutions.
He emphasized the importance of engaging in constructive dialogue, acknowledging the gravity of the challenging times faced by the region.
Tinubu articulated, “We must approach these issues with a sense of unity and commitment to the well-being of our people. 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 judgment, and work collectively towards finding enduring solutions that will lead to sustainable peace and security as well as political stability in our region.”
Expressing his concern about the weight of the challenges confronting the sub-region, Tinubu also expressed optimism, stating, “I come before you today burdened by the weight of the challenges confronting us. I am equally buoyed by the spirit of collective resolve that defines our ECOWAS community.”
The President highlighted that the summit’s outcome would be guided by a memorandum presented by the chairman of the ECOWAS Commission, providing updates on the situation in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali. He commended President Macky Sall of Senegal for agreeing to step down at the end of his current tenure, commending his courage and statesmanship.
Tinubu urged leaders to prioritize the plight of ordinary citizens in their decision-making processes and reaffirmed ECOWAS’s commitment to promoting economic integration, democracy, and human rights.
He urged leaders to re-examine their approach to the quest for constitutional order in member states, urging those considering exiting ECOWAS to reconsider. “Democracy is nothing more than the political framework and the path to addressing the basic needs and aspirations of the people. This is why we must re-examine our current approach to the quest for constitutional order in four of our Member States. I therefore urge them to reconsider the decision of the three of them to exit their home and not to perceive our organization as the enemy,” Tinubu stated.
In conclusion, Tinubu expressed confidence that through collective efforts and determination, the challenges facing the sub-region could be navigated towards a more peaceful, secure, and prosperous West Africa.
