The 68th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is currently underway in Abuja.
The session is coming on the heels of the recent security developments in the Republic of Benin, where the government announced the foiling of an attempted coup, an incident that again brought to the fore concerns over unconstitutional changes of government in the sub-region.
Expectedly, the session will deliberate on key security, political, and economic challenges confronting the sub-region.
The opening session of the high-level meeting is being presided over by Dr Julius Maada Bio, the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government and President of Sierra Leone. Other Heads of States in attendance include; President Adama Barrow of The Gambia; President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé of Togo; President Patrice Talon of the Republic of Benin; President Joseph Nyuma Boakai of Liberia; President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal; President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire and President José Maria Neves of Cape Verde.
Nigeria, as host nation, is represented at the summit by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who is standing in for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Top on the agenda include; a special debate on the future of the community, amid growing concerns over unity and institutional resilience.
Leaders will also consider the 2025 Annual Report on the State of the Community, review reports on regional security and mediation efforts, receive updates on Guinea Bissau s political transition, and assess the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) aimed at boosting intra-regional trade.
There will be a closed-door session, focusing on strategic direction, political stability, security cooperation, and economic integration. The leaders will deliberate on regional peace and security, democratic governance, and collective responses to emerging challenges, while reaffirming commitment to cooperation, stability, and shared prosperity.
ECOWAS has consistently maintained a zero-tolerance stance against coups and any form of unconstitutional takeover of power, reiterating its commitment to democratic rule, constitutional order, and the sovereignty of member states.
The regional bloc has repeatedly warned that instability in one country poses a collective threat to the peace and development of the entire sub-region.
Nigeria has remained at the forefront of regional diplomatic and stabilisation efforts, playing a key role in ECOWAS’ collective response to political crises through dialogue, security cooperation, and respect for the rule of law.
