Tinubu, first elected to the position in Guinea-Bissau on July 9, 2023, has been re-elected as the ECOWAS chairman. The Nigerian leader, who took office in May 2023, was re-elected during the 65th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government. This event occurred at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, on Sunday.
ECOWAS has experienced a series of coups in recent years.
Building on Democratic Values
In his acceptance speech, President Tinubu emphasized his commitment to strengthening democratic values and prioritizing the interests of the regional body.
“I have appointed the President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, to serve as our Special Envoy to Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic, along with the President of Togo, Faure GnassingbĂ©. They will work tirelessly with our brothers in these countries, coordinating with me and the ECOWAS Commission as needed,” he stated, according to his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale.
“I have accepted to continue serving the great members and minds committed to democratic values in our region. I will uphold our interests and build on the democratic values and structures we have inherited. Thank you very much.”
Stabilizing Fund
During his opening remarks at the summit, President Tinubu called on ECOWAS member states to make financial commitments to combat terrorism in the region.
“As we move to operationalize the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) in combating terrorism, it is essential to note that the success of this plan requires strong political will and substantial financial resources,” he told the gathering.
“We must meet the expectations and recommendations set by our ministers of defense and finance to counter insecurity and stabilize our region. Member states must make additional commitments to provide the necessary resources for regional stabilization.”
President Bola Tinubu spoke at the 65th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja on Sunday, July 7th, 2024.