Abba Hamisu Sani
Africa-Press – Nigeria. The last meeting of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) which is the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Heads of State and Government held on 8th of July this year in Bissau, the capital city of Guinea-Bissau witnessed the emergence of Nigerian President Ahmed Bola Tinubu as the new chairman of the regional organization.
Tinubu was recently elected President of Nigeria with less than fifty days in office. His selection as the ECOWAS leader is an additional opportunity for him to strengthen relationships with other West African countries in tackling various challenges affecting his Country and the sub region in general.
Nigeria is the richest and most populated Country not only in the sub continent but in the whole of Africa.
Background of ECOWAS and the member countries
Economic Community of West African States -ECOWAS was established in 1975 by the Treaty of Lagos in Lagos, Nigeria on May, 28,. It had its roots in earlier attempts at a West African economic community in the 1960s.
It was spearheaded by the then Nigerian Military head of State Yakuba Gowon and Gnassigbe Eyadema of Togo.
The primary purpose of ECOWAS is to promote economic trade, national cooperation, and monetary union, for growth and development throughout West Africa.
The organization has 15 members that include; Benin Republic , Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
Tinubu’s acceptance speech as ECOWAS new leader
The speech delivered by the Nigerian President Bola Tinubu as the new leader of ECOWAS indicated a zeal to the new responsibilities ahead of him.
In his remarks, the new leader called on ECOWAS to stand firm on democracy.
“We will not accept coup after coup in West Africa again. Democracy is very difficult to manage, but it is the best form of government.” He said
Tinubu warned that terrorism and the emerging pattern of coup d’etat in West Africa had reached alarming levels and demanded urgent, concerted actions.
Therefore, he called for collective action from member states, pledging that under his leadership, frameworks would be harmonized to actualise the dreams of ECOWAS.
“There is no one among us who did not campaign to be a leader. We didn’t give our soldiers resources, we didn’t invest in them, in their boots, in their training to violate the freedom of the people.” Tinubu stated
According to him, the military turning its guns against civil authorities violates the principles upon which they were hired, which is to defend the sovereignty of their nations.
“We must not sit in ECOWAS as toothless bulldogs,” the Nigerian leader said. He urged his counterparts to strengthen their respective democratic institutions and ensure respect for human rights and the rule of law, saying his one year tenure will enhance engagements with the countries in transition (Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso) to ensure their quick return to democratic rule.
The new ECOWAS Chairman also called for improved private sector participation in the economic development of member states and their social integration.
He said his administration would actively promote trade, investment and business cooperation among ECOWAS member states by addressing the barriers impeding intra-regional trade and creating a conducive business environment.
Mix reaction over the Tinubu ECOWAS leadership
Some Nigerians are describing the development as a positive one while others are saying the man needs to focus his attention in tackling the challenges of his Country at this moment.
Akin Malaolu is the leader of Yoruba Ronu Forum .He said the era of building castles in the air is over, if we desire a flourishing society and democratic governance.
“Following the not too good performance of President Tinubu at the well attended 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, we must caution Nigerians and indeed the West African community that when leaders pour out platitudinous speeches and draw ovations, then we are willing to accept just any promises or gesticulations as products of good thinking.” He said
He explained that his Forum evaluated the speech delivered by the newly elected chairman of ECOWAS, in the person of President Tinubu and they must confess that it fell short of their expectations. And from their accumulated experience, through observations over the years, the chairman was only punching the air.
“”We are, therefore, going to ask the newly elected chairman to embrace ‘charity begins at home’ and do the following: fight corruption, reduce the allowances and salaries of political office holders as well as promote human faced economic policies. He should also convoke a sociological inquiry on insecurity, and name and prosecute sponsors of terrorism in Nigeria.” He added.
However the new ECOWAS leadership under President Tinubu should provide new strategies to tackle both Economic, Political and security challenges facing the subcontinent.
Also on the issue of free movement of goods and services within the member countries should be strengthened as member states Citizens are finding it difficult to move from one country to another.
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