President Tinubu Re-elected as ECOWAS Chair, Urges Standby Force for Regional Security

President Bola Tinubu has been re-elected for another term as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Government during the 65th Ordinary Session held in Abuja, Nigeria. Immediately after his re-election, President Tinubu appointed the Presidents of Senegal and Togo to engage with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic to strengthen ties with the regional bloc.

Tinubu, who stressed the urgent need for concerted efforts to combat rising insecurity and military coups in the region, highlighted the importance of a regional standby force. During his previous term, Tinubu faced challenges as neighboring countries like Niger Republic, Mali, and Burkina Faso witnessed military takeovers, prompting ECOWAS to impose economic sanctions.

In response to the escalating situation, Tinubu appointed Senegalese President Bassirou Faye and Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé as Special Envoys to mediate with the dissenting countries and work towards their reintegration into the ECOWAS community.

The ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Omar Touray, provided updates on various initiatives, including the launch of the single regional currency, ECO, and efforts to strengthen security partnerships within the region. Touray also emphasized the importance of financial commitments from member states to tackle insecurity effectively.

President Tinubu reiterated the need for a regional standby force to combat terrorism and stabilize the region. He called on member states to increase defense budgets and support the ECOWAS Standby Force to bolster counter-terrorism efforts. Tinubu also encouraged ECOWAS to focus on reducing operational costs and aligning with key priorities to enhance regional development.

The 65th ECOWAS session also welcomed Senegal as a new member of the Authority and discussed the fragile political landscapes in some member states. President Tinubu highlighted the potential for economic growth and prosperity in West Africa through innovative approaches and strategic partnerships.

In a bid to address challenges within the community, President Tinubu urged support for the re-election of Ambassador Bankole Adeoye as AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security in February 2025. The ECOWAS Commission President echoed the significance of development over conflicts and emphasized the impact of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger’s exit from the regional bloc on trade agreements and visa regulations.