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Tag: ECOWAS

  • ECOWAS to dump single currency initiative

    ECOWAS to dump single currency initiative

    The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is planning to dump its single currency (ECO) initiative after years of struggles to actualise the plan.

    Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe Junior, Co-chair of the ECOWAS joint committees on Social Affairs, Gender and Women Empowerment, Legal Affairs and Human Rights, Political Affairs, Peace, Security and African Peer Review Mechanism (MAEP), Legal and Human Rights, Trade Customs and Free Movement, disclosed this during an interview with journalists in Banjul, Gambia at the weekend.

    The ECOWAS single currency initiative was first proposed in the late 1990s but the idea gained more traction in 2000 when the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) was established to work towards creating a single currency for the region.

    The ECO was envisioned to become a cornerstone of economic growth and development for the 15 member states of ECOWAS as it is expected to simplify transactions, reduce the hassle of currency exchange, and promote a more integrated and prosperous West African region.

    Speaking on the struggles in actualising the single currency initiative, MP Snowe Junior said there have been some political challenges.

    “The single currency is a work in progress. It has its own political implications.

    “There has been a lot of political situation that has to be addressed. It’s not that we don’t have good economists or analysts who can understand and implement it.

    “We have had little or less problems from the English-speaking zone but because we have the French CFA with the reserve in France and then you have the BCEAO bank as another federal bank for the French-speaking country, we have to integrate the currency.

    “So, it still needs a lot of political will and that is why the last three countries that had coup d’état are talking about changing their currencies because their reserve is in France and not in West Africa or Africa,” he said.

    He said the regional bloc is now proposing a single currency for the Anglophone countries and another one for the Francophone countries in the region as a replacement for ECO.

    “That is why sometimes we propose that Nigeria, which is the hub of our region, in addition to Ghana, Liberia, Gambia and Sierra Leone, that is the five English-speaking countries, could have one currency for now.

    “Then, the Francophone countries could have another currency. Then you can ask Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde to join either the Francophone or Anglophone so that we have two currencies for now.

    “And then, over the years, those two currencies can migrate into a single currency,” the lawmaker said.

    He said political instability in the region had halted the consideration of the proposals of two currencies for the region but assured that focus would be shifted back to the issue as soon as possible.

    “We have been more concerned with putting the region back together, resolving the security situation in the region and then we can put back the single currency issue on the front burner.” he said.

  • ECOWAS, WFP provide $1.6m to fight rising malnutrition in North West

    ECOWAS, WFP provide $1.6m to fight rising malnutrition in North West

    The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission and the World Food Program (WFP) have provided $1.6million to help fight rising malnutrition and poverty in Katsina and Sokoto states.

    The areas have witnessed a rise in poverty and malnutrition as a result of a surge in banditry and internal displacement in the North West.

    Donation of palliative to the North West by the WFP is expected to increase to the troubled North West region as a total of 5,00O metric tonne of wheat donated by the Ukrainian government is scheduled to be received at the weekend.

    The Deputy Head of Programme WFP, Manuela Reinfield disclosed on Friday at the launch of the second phase of the ECOWAS, WFP, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affair Stabilization Project for 2024/2025 in Katsina.

    Reinfield, while noting that the project took off at the right time, given the deteriorating food security situation and insecurity situation in the North West, said Stabilization Project aims at providing monthly cash transfer support of N11,500 to about 14,500 beneficiaries in both Katsina and Sokoto states for the next six months.

    She added that Katsina and Zamfara states would get unconditional food assistance with the wheat grain expected to arrive in the country from Ukraine on Sunday

    The Permanent Representative of Nigeria in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Amb. Sani Nuhu explained that the regional bloc which had established a Stabilization Fund to assist victims of terrorism and banditry in the region decided on humanitarian assistance to the Northwest because of the sad situation

    He said: “ECOWAS Commission came up with the idea of setting aside $1 million to be given to Nigeria every year to come up with a program on providing social alleviation initiatives to victims of insecurity in the northeast and the Northwest.

     

     

  • West African defence chief’s to activate ECOWAS standby force

    West African defence chief’s to activate ECOWAS standby force

    The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, says the West African Chiefs of Defence have agreed to activate the standby force of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    Musa said the decision was taken at the end of the 42nd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff, held between Wednesday and Friday in Abuja.

    The CDS, who is the Chairman of the committee, commended the defence chiefs for their commitment, dedication and contribution throughout the meeting.

    According to him, we have also had notable ideas, discussions and objectively come up with creative solutions that will define the security landscape of West Africa.

    “So, key discussion during this conference covered on the proposed ECOWAS security support in Sierra Leone and the activation of the ECOWAS standby force.

    “Furthermore, we deliberated on issues pertaining the operationalisation of our logistic deployment in Sierra Leone and other ECOWAS peace support operations amongst others.

    “More importantly are the pledges made by member states commitment and resources towards activation of the ECOWAS standby force and security support mission and Sierra Leone among others.”

    Musa expressed confidence that incredible ideas and noble solutions proffered would undoubtedly enhance the defence chiefs individual and collective capacity to confront and support contemporary and futuristic security challenges.

    He expressed regret that Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger were absent from the meeting, adding that efforts were on to return them to the regional bloc.

    “They are brothers and we look forward to when they will come back safely into ecosystem because as nations, no one nation can withstand the current challenges that we have.

    “We need to work as a team because we are stronger together.

    “It is also imperative that we continue to encourage collaboration among other countries by reducing differences, share resources and leveraging each other’s strengths to maximise our impact and achieve shared objects,” he added.

    The CDS emphasised that the security landscape was evolving and required a continuous collaboration to effectively address the emerging threats.

    He reiterated democratic values must be upheld as well as support for various governments in line with their statutory responsibilities to ensure economic growth and development going forward.

    Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, ECOWAS, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, said there had been trends that had defiled political life in the West African region.

    Musah said that there had been an expanding insecurity spearheaded by terrorism and violent extremism as well as challenges of governance in the sub region in recent time.

    According to him, West Africa is gradually being turned into an arena of great power rivalries and competition and it is within this dynamic that we see where Africa is.

    He said the chiefs of defence staff had expressed their commitment and adherence to good governance, democracy and rule of law in the region.

    “They, as the guardians of security, have ensured that they create that environment for governance to thrive.

    “And one of the key items of the agenda is the continued activation of the ECOWAS standby force in its kinetic mode to fight terrorism in our region, and all our member states have pledged support to this initiative.

    “This committee has been fine tuning the roadmap towards the eventual activation of the kinetic force.

    “We need to fight terrorism because our region is in mortal danger and you can see terrorism moving downwards from the Sahel to the coastal countries,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting had in attendance chiefs of defence staff from all the members countries except Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

  • ECOWAS defence chiefs seek return of Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger

    ECOWAS defence chiefs seek return of Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger

    The Chiefs of Defence Staff in West Africa on Friday, called for the return of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    The Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, made the call when he led other ECOWAS defence chiefs on visit to the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), on Friday in Abuja.

    Musa, the Chairman of ECOWAS Committee of Defence Chiefs, said that the return of the three countries to the regional bloc was necessary to defeat the insecurity ravaging the region, especially insurgency.

    He said that efforts were ongoing on their part to ensure that the three countries were back, adding that all hands must be on deck to curtail insecurity in West Africa.

    “For us, we feel without security, there can’t be progress and the threats we are facing, especially on insurgency, are high.

    “We think it is very important that we need to partner together to achieve success. No country can do it alone, and that’s why it’s important.

    “We know we have three countries that have decided to step aside.

    “We are making all efforts to ensure that they come back to the fold because we know even them, on their own, cannot withstand this.

    “We know the relevance that if they fall, it will also drag us down and that is why it is important for us as West Africans to continue to work together,’’ he said.

    The CDS appreciated the National Coordinator of NCTC, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, for doing a wonderful job in the nation’s counter-terrorism efforts.

    He said the insurgency in the region was spreading wide and fast, urging the Defence Chiefs to leave no stone unturned to curb the menace.

    “We are sure that we are going to work together to ensure that there is total peace in our own region.

    “I had the privilege of being the theatre commander in the Northeast when this horrendous exercise started, and it started like a joke,’’ he added.

    Earlier, the National Coordinator of NCTC said there was a need for cooperation among the West African countries to defeat terrorism.

    Laka also said countries in the West African region must share experiences, adding that experience sharing remained one of the critical ways.

    He said,”We hope to partner with our brothers in the West African sub-region and the Sahel. They say if your brother’s house is on fire, it can also reach yours.

    “So we need to learn from one another. We don’t plan to make this place the only place. We plan to partner with Abidjan.

    “While we are experts in the preventive aspects, we are going to partner with all those centres to address the threat of terrorism.

    “Once the declaration is passed, we plan to visit your centre in Abidjan.

    “We are in the process of talking about how we are going to come together to address this threat that is really stopping development and stopping our people from reaping the dividends of democracy,’’ he said.

    Laka said the centre was well equipped to address the threat of terrorism, adding that the centre had put in place state-of-the-art forensic laboratories.

    According to him, NCTC has toxicology labs, the fingerprint labs, the DNA labs, the handwriting labs, and so on.

    “These are things that will facilitate the threat of terrorism investigation and so on,’’ he added.

  • ECOWAS chiefs of Defense Staff converge in Abuja

    ECOWAS chiefs of Defense Staff converge in Abuja

    The Chiefs of Defence Staff of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are currently meeting at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

    This meeting is chaired by Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who also serves as the chairman of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff.

    Attendees include Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar, and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence Ahmed Lawan.

    Other participants are the Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, a representative of the National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa, various service chiefs, and the Chiefs of Defence Staff from ECOWAS countries, except for those from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

  • EndSARS: ECOWAS Court orders Nigerian Government to Pay N10 Million compensation to each victim

    EndSARS: ECOWAS Court orders Nigerian Government to Pay N10 Million compensation to each victim

     

    The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice  has ruled that the Nigerian Government committed human rights abuses during the EndSARS protests that took place in October 2020, thus condemning the excessive use of force at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, Nigeria.

    In its ruling on July 10, 2024, the court ordered  the Nigerian government to pay N10 million in compensation to each victim named in the suit.

    Key findings include credible evidence of disproportionate force and violations of rights to liberty and security, assembly, free speech, and dignity.

    The court noted that the use of force was unnecessary and violated Nigeria’s obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

    The court determined that the shooting of live rounds into a crowd of unarmed protesters at Lekki Toll Gate created fear and that the Nigerian government failed to provide evidence refuting these allegations.

    Furthermore, it found that the government’s actions restricted the applicants’ rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and association, contravening Articles 9, 10, and 11 of the African Charter.

     

    Additionally, the court criticized the quasi-mechanism set up by the Nigerian government to investigate the abuses, stating it lacked independence and was questionable. As a result, the government failed in its duty to provide an effective remedy under Article 1 of the African Charter.

     

    The ruling mandates the Nigerian government to pay N10 million in compensation to each applicant and to conduct investigations into the human rights abuses, reporting back to the court in six months on the compensation and inquiry progress.

    The lead counsel for the applicants, Bolaji Gabari described the ruling  as a significant victory for the #EndSARS movement, acknowledging that citizens’ rights were violated and abuses occurred at Lekki Toll Gate.

  • Speaker Abbas congratulates President Tinubu on re-election as ECOWAS chairman

    Speaker Abbas congratulates President Tinubu on re-election as ECOWAS chairman

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on his re-election as the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    President Tinubu, who was first elected as ECOWAS chairman on July 9, 2023, got re-elected during the 65th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Sunday.

    Speaker Abbas said President Tinubu’s re-election into the ECOWAS chairmanship was a testament of his commitment to the growth and development of the subregion.

    He noted that in the past one year, the president has demonstrated good leadership in uniting members of ECOWAS, especially during the leadership instability that characterised some member states.

    The Speaker expressed delight that member states of ECOWAS unanimously re-elected Nigeria’s president to the position, saying it was a confirmation of their trust and confidence in him.

    Speaker Abbas wished President Tinubu another successful tenure as the chairman of ECOWAS.

  • How Tinubu was re-elected ECOWAS Chairman

    How Tinubu was re-elected ECOWAS Chairman

    President Bola Tinubu has been re-elected as the Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.

    The President’s mandate was extended at the 65th Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, on Sunday in Abuja.

    This followed the decision of the leaders to ensure continuity and consistency in meeting targets on security, reconciliation, and development.

    President Tinubu was first elected to the position in Guinea-Bissau on July 9, 2023.

    In his acceptance speech, the President said he would focus on consolidating the values of democracy and upholding the interest of the regional body, which would clock 50 years in 2025.

    The Chairman of ECOWAS appointed the President of Senegal, Mr Bassirou Diomaye Faye, and the President of Togo, His Excellency, Mr Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, as Special Envoys to Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic.

    “I have appointed the President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, to please become our Special Envoy to Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic, along with the President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbé, to do around the clock work with our brothers in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic, and to coordinate with me and the ECOWAS Commission, where necessary.

    “I have accepted to continue the service to the great members and the great minds that are committed to democratic values and our journey in the region.

    “I will continue to serve our interest and build on democratic values and the structure that we inherited. Thank you very much,’’ the President said.

    Tinubu had earlier called on Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS to work towards the establishment and sustenance of a regional standby force for the security and economic advancement of the community.

    The President emphasised the expediency of a standby force in the face of growing security threats in the region.

  • Tinubu makes case for ECOWAS stability

    Tinubu makes case for ECOWAS stability

    President Bola Tinubu has called on Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS to work toward the establishment of a regional standby force for the security and economic advancement of the community.

    He made the call during the opening of the 65th Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government on Sunday, in Abuja.

    Tinubu, who was re-elected Chairman of the regional bloc on Sunday, also highlighted the expediency of a standby force in the face of growing security threats.

    ”The Regional Action Plan against Terrorism has enhanced cooperation on training, intelligence sharing, and humanitarian interventions.

    ”In addition to this, the Ministers of Finance and Defence met recently in Abuja to raise funds for activating the ECOWAS Standby Force to boost counter-terrorism efforts.

    ”Member countries are also displaying their commitment to combating insecurity by individually increasing their defence budgets in order to acquire necessary equipment and ensure preparedness,” the President said.

    He urged member states to commit more to providing the needed resources for securing the region.

    ”Let me underscore that a peaceful and secure society is essential for achieving our potential.

    ”As we move to operationalise the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) in combating terrorism, I must emphasise that the success of this plan requires not only strong political will but also substantial financial resources.

    ”We must, therefore, ensure that we meet the expectations and recommendations set forth by our Ministers of Defence and Finance, in order to counter insecurity and stabilize our region,” the President added.

    Tinubu advised ECOWAS leaders to leverage the capabilities of Nigeria’s National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), which has been widely acknowledged as one of the best on the continent.

    The President said his government had decided to make the NCTC a regional centre to enable all ECOWAS member states to benefit from capacity building and other related opportunities it offers.

    He also advised the management of ECOWAS to re-align and reposition its priorities by reducing overheads and setting up in-country steering committees.

    ”Difficult economic conditions and inconsistent payment of financial commitments to ECOWAS have contributed to the current plight.

    ”To ensure ECOWAS has adequate resources for its programmes and activities, I urge all member states to ensure full compliance with the Protocol on the Community Levy.

    ”Nigeria, under my leadership, is committed to leading by example in remitting its collected levies to the organisation,” he said.

    He added that the ECOWAS management must also reduce its overhead expenditures and focus on programmes and activities that directly impact the lives of citizens of the region.

    ”I am aware of the progress report on the implementation of the ECOWAS Institutional Reforms.

    ”I, therefore, call on the President of the ECOWAS Commission to resume and expedite the conclusion of the second phase of the Institutional Reforms, aimed at reducing the organization’s operational costs,” Tinubu said.

    He also welcomed a new member of the Authority, Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

    ”Allow me to further extend warm congratulations to the Government and people of the Republic of Senegal for their steadfastness in the consolidation of democratic governance.

    ”Their recently concluded presidential election has been widely adjudged as free, fair, transparent, and credible.

    ”This achievement is a testament to our region’s commitment to the principles of democracy, good governance, and rule of law,” the President stated.

    Tinubu said the 65th session would review the concerns in the region, adding: ”We are aware of the enormous challenges, including terrorist activities and violent extremism threatening to spread from the Sahel region towards the coastal states.

    ”The political landscape still remains fragile in some member states, especially those that witnessed unconstitutional changes of government.”

    While calling for unity within the community, the President emphasised that to elevate the people from poverty to prosperity, ECOWAS must develop innovative approaches to unleash the region’s vast economic potential.

    ”We must continue to identify and develop partnerships that promote investment in key sectors and promote regional trade.

    ”Furthermore, we must invest in our infrastructure and cultivate a conducive business environment to empower our communities to stimulate growth and build resilience against external shocks.

    ”Together, we can pave the way for a prosperous future for all of West Africa,” the President said.

    He also called for support in re-electing Ambassador Bankole Adeoye as AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security in February 2025.

    In his remarks, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, thanked President Tinubu for his purposeful leadership, affirming that ECOWAS should not be defined by conflicts, elections, and coup d’états, but by development.

    Touray said the exiting of ECOWAS by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger would affect citizens of the countries, and other ECOWAS countries, following the need for visas, and the review of all trade and development agreements, including ongoing ECOWAS projects in those countries.

  • BREAKING: Tinubu re-elected ECOWAS Chairman

    BREAKING: Tinubu re-elected ECOWAS Chairman

    Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been re-elected as the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports ECOWAS Heads of States and Government took the decision to re-elect President Tinubu as Chairman on Sunday.

    The decision was taken during the 65th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held at the Presidential Villa in Nigeria’s capital of Abuja.

     

    Details shortly…