Nigeria's Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on the new leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to urgently rebuild regional unity. He made the call in New York, United States, on the margins of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Shettima received the new President of the ECOWAS Commission, General Birame Diop (rtd.), and his delegation. He emphasized that the survival and relevance of ECOWAS depend on its ability to deepen regional integration and strengthen bonds among West African countries.
Shettima's call comes at a time when ECOWAS is grappling with divisions over the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. These countries have formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a new bloc that has widened the divide between ECOWAS and its member states. Shettima urged the new ECOWAS leadership to make reconciliation and engagement central to its agenda. He tasked Diop to build bridges of friendship across the sub-region and champion the cause of regional integration.
The Vice President identified greater private-sector involvement in regional infrastructure development as critical to advancing economic integration. He specifically urged the new ECOWAS leadership to take private sector participation seriously in the execution of the Lagos-Abidjan Highway project. This proposed highway is a major regional transport corridor linking some of West Africa's largest economies and commercial centers.
Shettima congratulated Diop on his election, saying his assumption of office came at a particularly difficult period requiring greater cohesion and synergy among governments and peoples of the sub-region. He assured Diop of Nigeria's continued support, stressing that President Bola Tinubu remained committed to efforts aimed at strengthening the regional organisation.
Diop acknowledged Nigeria's historic role in the creation and sustenance of ECOWAS, as well as the sacrifices made by the country towards maintaining stability and promoting prosperity across West Africa. He described Nigeria as a "big brother" whose support would be crucial to resolving some of the challenges confronting the regional bloc.
The meeting was attended by several high-ranking officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Lateef Fagbemi (SAN). Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, was also in attendance.
The new ECOWAS Commission president called on other West African countries to cooperate with Nigeria in promoting inclusive development and securing a better future for the people of the sub-region. ECOWAS remains an important instrument for regional stability and should therefore be encouraged and supported by member states.
Key points
- Shettima urges ECOWAS to rebuild regional unity and bridge the divide between the bloc and countries now outside its fold.
- The Vice President tasks ECOWAS to champion the cause of regional integration and strengthen bonds of unity and friendship among West African countries.
- Nigeria's support is crucial to resolving some of the challenges confronting ECOWAS, according to Diop.
