The 53rd Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC) at the Ministerial level convened in Abuja to address the region’s pressing political, security, and humanitarian challenges.
The meeting reaffirmed ECOWAS’s commitment to fostering collective security, democratic governance, and economic development amid growing instability in West Africa.
In his opening address, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the MSC, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, emphasized the centrality of political stability to the region’s development. “Without stability, the aspirations of our people for prosperity and progress will remain unfulfilled. We must strengthen governance frameworks and promote inclusive, peaceful political transitions,” Tuggar said.
He lauded recent democratic elections in Ghana and Senegal, calling them models of democratic consolidation in the region. Tuggar also warned of escalating threats, including terrorism, violent extremism, and organized crime, urging member states to intensify efforts to bolster regional security.
As the ECOWAS Regional Action Plan on the Fight Against Terrorism concludes this year, Tuggar stressed the need for a forward-looking strategy to sustain and enhance security measures.
Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, highlighted both progress and challenges facing the region. Reflecting on ECOWAS’s upcoming Golden Jubilee, Dr. Touray urged member states to recommit to shared values of democracy, constitutionalism, and good governance, even as some countries face political uncertainties.
Dr. Touray noted achievements such as zero incidents of piracy in 2024, credited to collaborative maritime security operations by Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. He also applauded progress in operationalizing the ECOWAS Standby Force, which is designed to provide rapid responses to regional security threats.
The humanitarian crises confronting the region were also a key focus, with millions displaced due to food insecurity, climate-related disasters, and political instability. Leaders called for the activation of National Early Warning and Response Centres and stronger measures against money laundering and terrorist financing to build resilience.
Discussions included the establishment of a Special Tribunal in The Gambia to prosecute human rights violations and strategies to combat external influences and disinformation campaigns.
Dr. Touray proposed a “Summit of the Future” to tackle geopolitical challenges and safeguard ECOWAS’s unity and values. He emphasized the importance of regional solidarity, stating, “Our unity as a region and strong partnerships with the global community have been the bedrock of our success.”
As the session concluded, leaders expressed optimism that the deliberations would strengthen ECOWAS’s role as a force for peace and progress in West Africa. “Let us reaffirm our collective commitment to a peaceful, secure, and united West Africa,” Tuggar urged, formally opening the session.
The 53rd MSC session marks a significant milestone for ECOWAS as it navigates complex regional dynamics while striving to secure a stable and prosperous future for its people.
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