ECOWAS HEADS OF STATE HOLD EXTRAORDINARY SUMMIT ON PEACE, POLITICAL, SECURITY SITUATION

AS ECOWAS CHAIR, TINUBU HARPS ON RE-EXAMINING REGIONAL CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER

By Vincess Okushi

The Chair of the ECOWAS heads of State and government, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Bola Tinubu, has called on the need to re-examine the current approach for constitutional order with a focus on the four Member States currently under an unconstitutional regime, to foster democratic governance in the sub-region.

He made the assertion while declaring open the ECOWAS Heads of State Extraordinary Sumit on the Peace, Political, and Security Situation in the sub-region today Saturday, 24th February 2024 at the State House of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in the nation’s capital.

Tinubu while lamenting the decisions of the troubled member states to exit, appealed to members to approach the issues with a sense of unity and commitment to the well-being of the people.

He added that the challenges of these countries have an impeding effect on the ECOWAS citizens and reaffirmed the commitment of the bloc to the vision of its founding fathers which encompasses peace, security, and regional integration.

Noting that all must stand united to foster sustainable development across member states.

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. This extraordinary summit was convened at a critical juncture that demands our focused attention on regional issues.
Permit me to say that the complexities of the issues at hand necessitate a comprehensive and collaborative approach.
Times like those we currently face in our sub-region demand that we make difficult but courageous decisions that put the plight of our people at the centre of our deliberations. Democracy is nothing more than the political framework and the path to addressing the basic needs and aspirations of the people.
Accordingly, it is incumbent upon us to engage in constructive dialogue, exercise prudent judgment, and work collectively toward 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 CAN 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.

The ECOWAS Chair while retiring to a closed-door section stressed that members will be briefed on the peace, security, and political situation by the president of the ECOWAS Commission for information from the head of State and government.

The Memorandum will give us an update on the current situation in the Republics of Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and Niger. On that note, our decisions must be guided by our commitment to safeguarding the constitutional order, upholding democratic principles, and promoting the social and economic well-being of the citizens of the aforementioned countries.

Furthermore, we will deliberate on the announced withdrawal from ECOWAS by the Republics of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. In the spirit of collective security and African solidarity, we realize that the stability of these nations is intricately linked to the overall peace and security of West Africa.
I am confident that through our collective efforts and determination, we will navigate the challenges before us and chart a course TOWARD a more peaceful, and prosperous West Africa.

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