AES Countries Top Agenda As Tinubu Chairs 66th ECOWAS Ordinary Summit In Abuja

President Bola Tinubu is currently chairing the 66th Ordinary Summit of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at the State House, Abuja, on Sunday afternoon.

The ongoing session is expected to focus on advancing regional economic integration and ensuring institutional stability, among other issues.

This summit takes place amidst regional concerns, following the announcement of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger’s decision to withdraw from ECOWAS.

The three erstwhile member-states have now aligned under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), utilising this new platform to reshape their relationship with the regional bloc.

This alignment raises questions about their future status within West Africa.

The 66th Ordinary Summit will also review the organisation’s sanctions imposed on the three AES nations following recent military coups, with the goal of balancing diplomatic efforts with its fundamental commitment to promoting democracy.

The meeting will address pressing issues such as tackling the surge of terrorism in the Sahel and political instability in member states.

The meeting will also discuss accelerating the adoption of the ECO, ECOWAS’s proposed single currency, and bolstering trade among member states.

The leaders of the regional bloc will also review progress and timelines in countries under military rule, with emphasis on shorter transitions to civilian governance.

During its last summit, President Bola Tinubu appointed Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to mediate between ECOWAS and the trio of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.

President Faye’s report is also expected to be presented before the ECOWAS leaders.

Other issues of concern raised during the ECOWAS Council of Ministers that are expected to be discussed during the heads of state summit are payment of community levy by member states and the implementation of the ECOWAS Trade libralisation Scheme which involves free movement of persons and goods.

It would be recalled that President Tinubu got a fresh mandate for the sub-regional leadership at the 65th Ordinary Session with his re-election as chairman.

Participating countries include Benin Republic, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.

Details later…