Leaders reiterated their commitment to integration and cooperation
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emphasized the importance of Africa maintaining its relevance in the face of global competition. He urged African nations to actively engage in global competition, uphold and protect continental unity, and reject any attempts to exploit the continent through a new scramble for resources.
As the chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of States and Government, President Tinubu stressed the need for proactive leadership in Africa. He argued that passive leadership would not overcome the challenges faced by the continent.
President Tinubu firmly rejected the idea of a new scramble for Africa, emphasizing that the continent should move beyond the historic exploitation and plundering it has experienced in the past.
These remarks were made during the Fifth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union (AU), the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the Regional Mechanisms (RMs), and African Union Member States, which took place in Nairobi, Kenya.
In addressing the twin challenges of terrorism and the reversal of democratic changes of government, President Tinubu revealed that the ECOWAS Authority is actively working to strengthen its Standby Force. This force will be deployed to combat terrorism and resist coup attempts, thereby ensuring stability and security in the region.
President Tinubu also highlighted the progress made by ECOWAS in terms of integration, including advancements in trade, the free movement of people, investment promotion, infrastructure development, and security.
Overall, the leaders in attendance reaffirmed their dedication to fostering integration and cooperation among African nations, to propel the continent towards a brighter and more prosperous future.
During his speech titled “Address on Status of Regional Integration in ECOWAS,” President Bola Ahmed Tinubu underscored the importance of Africa overcoming its obstacles and striving for a prosperous future. He emphasized the need for inclusive growth, good governance, and the utilization of opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
President Tinubu called upon African leaders to prioritize good governance as a means to secure a prosperous future for the continent: “As Africans, we forge ahead, no matter the barriers thrust before us.
“The world we inhabit is often unkind and uncertain. History and current global difficulties argue against our future success.
“Lessons of the past few years teach us that the world economy can be disrupted in ways that halt progress and invite downturn.
“Our nations can suddenly find themselves in dire situations if we choose to be passive observers of our fate.”
In defiance of passivity, President Tinubu firmly stated that Africa will not tolerate a repetition of past events involving the scramble, exploitation, and plundering of the continent.
Regarding peace, security, and stability, the President emphasized the need for the sub-region to rid itself of terrorism and unconstitutional changes in government.
He added: “We sit here in meaningful discussion of vital economic matters. Yet, it will be impossible to bring full meaning to what we attempt unless we give due consideration to the instability and conflict that now scar many of our nations.
“The fullness of the integration we seek will elude us as long as several of our nations stand in the mist on violence and war.
“The trade and commerce we talk of today refers to valued goods and services that improve life.
“The trade and commerce these nations suffer is of destruction and disorder that takes lives and steals opportunity.
“We cannot integrate Africa and attain the prosperity we seek while our nearby brothers and sisters suffer in pain and anguish; they should not suffer. We must advance as one continent toward peace and prosperity.
“Otherwise, we risk the creation of two or more Africa, one a select group of nations moving steadily while the rest remain trapped in the age-old mire of poverty, conflict and lack of hope.
“It is very clear that in the area of peace, security, and stability, our region is confronted with the twin challenges of terrorism and reversal of democratic gains through undemocratic changes of government.
“To address these challenges, the ECOWAS Authority, which I have the honour to chair, has given directive regarding the enhancement of the role of the ECOWAS Standby Force for deployment to fight terrorism and undemocratic changes in government.”
President Tinubu added: “The Authority has also resolved to raise our funding internally to finance the peace support operations in our community. Meanwhile, we have continued to monitor the transition programmes in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.”
President Tinubu recollected the outcomes of the recently concluded ECOWAS Summit in Bissau, where West African leaders reaffirmed their commitment to engaging with Mali and Burkina Faso to diligently implement the agreed-upon 24-month transition calendars in collaboration with ECOWAS.
To bolster the security of Burkina Faso and Mali in their fight against terrorism, President Tinubu announced that ECOWAS had decided to provide support to their security agencies.
He appealed to international partners to extend the necessary assistance to ensure the restoration of democratic order in these West African nations.
Regarding trade, President Tinubu highlighted ECOWAS’ achievement in establishing the Free Trade Area and ongoing efforts to establish the Customs Union and Common Market.
However, he expressed concern about the relatively low level of intra-community trade among member states, with the European Union (EU) remaining the region’s primary trading partner, followed by Asia, North America, and the rest of Africa.
Recognizing the importance of consolidating the gains of the trade liberalization scheme and supporting the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), President Tinubu stated that the ECOWAS Commission had been assisting member states in the negotiations, ratification, and implementation of the AfCFTA, with 13 out of the 15 ECOWAS member states having ratified the agreement.
In terms of the free movement of persons, President Tinubu mentioned ECOWAS’ efforts to implement the Harmonized Visa-Regime (ECOVISA) as a means to facilitate the unrestricted movement of non-ECOWAS citizens.
Emphasizing the significance of regional infrastructure development, President Tinubu reiterated ECOWAS’ commitment to initiatives such as the construction of the Lagos-Abidjan Corridor Highway, aimed at promoting economic activities and enhancing regional integration.
He added: “The Feasibility and Preliminary Design and Studies show a significant investment cost of nearly US$15 billion for the whole highway with an average economic rate of return of 15 per cent per annum.
“In the same vein, preparations are underway for the development of the other corridors, namely the Abidjan-Praia-Dakar.”
During his address, President Tinubu shared significant developments in intra-regional cooperation. He announced the recent commissioning and handover of a joint border post between Nigeria and Cameroon in November 2022, marking a significant milestone for the two countries.
The President emphasized that this project serves as a bridge connecting the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), providing a solid foundation for future cooperation and integration between the regions and ultimately the entire African continent.
President Tinubu also provided an update on the progress in the energy sector, expressing his satisfaction with the implementation of various generation and interconnection projects within the region.
He highlighted the completion of the electric interconnection projects spanning Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea (1,300 km) and Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Guinea (1,700 km). These accomplishments have resulted in the interconnection of all 15 countries in West Africa, a significant milestone in enhancing regional energy cooperation and integration.
He said: “The completion of the Information and Coordination Centre of the West African Power Pool (WAPP) will enable member-states to buy and sell electricity in the region as this centre will act as a regional system operator within the framework of the regional electricity market.”
The ECOWAS chairperson also provided updates on investment promotion and the ECOWAS Cybersecurity Agenda to combat cybercrime and improve cybersecurity capabilities in member states.
