Tinubu Urges ECOWAS To Take Decisive Action Against Coups

President Bola Tinubu has urged leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to resist unconstitutional changes of government, warning that the evolving threats confronting West Africa required a united and coordinated regional response.

The President made the call while addressing leaders of the regional bloc at the 68th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, noting that West Africa’s increasingly porous borders make collective action unavoidable, as security threats do not respect national boundaries.

President Tinubu said no member-state, irrespective of size or capacity, can secure enduring stability on its own, stressing that the region’s security, prosperity and resilience are collective responsibilities that demand consultation, unity of voice and coordinated action.

According to him, the external threats confronting West Africa include terrorism, violent extremism, unconstitutional changes of government, transnational organised crime, cyber insecurity, climate shocks, food insecurity and irregular migration.

The President, who was represented at the session by Vice President Kashim Shettima, reaffirmed Nigeria’s position that fraternity, rather than force, must shape the future of the ECOWAS community.

“This is the position of Nigeria, and it is the abiding conviction of His Excellency President Bola Tinubu, whose actions have consistently signalled that our unity is not transactional but foundational,” he said.

President Tinubu noted that the session came at a consequential moment for the regional bloc, acknowledging that internal differences have, in recent times, shaken the foundations of the union.

He stressed that ECOWAS can only fulfil its purpose when every member-state upholds values of justice and equity within its domestic affairs, warning that the community is most vulnerable not when challenged from outside, but when weakened from within.

The President reassured the regional bloc of Nigeria’s proven fidelity to the ideals of the ECOWAS community and its unwavering commitment to collective action in defence of the region’s common future.

“Nigeria is here to reassure this authority of her proven fidelity to the ideals of our community and her unwavering commitment to collective action in defence of our common future,” he said.

Those present at the session included President Julius Bio of Sierra Leone, who chairs ECOWAS; José Maria Neves of Cabo Verde; Bassirou Faye of Senegal; Faure Gnassingbé of Togo; Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire; Adama Barrow of The Gambia; John Mahama of Ghana; and Umaro Embaló, as well as representatives of Guinea-Bissau, the Republic of Benin and Liberia.