President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is currently leading 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 in Abuja.
The summit, which brings together leaders from 12 member nations, is focused on fostering regional economic integration, promoting institutional stability, and addressing critical issues affecting West Africa.
Among the central topics is the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS, following their recent alignment under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
This shift has sparked concerns over their future status within the region and poses challenges to ECOWAS’s mission to uphold democracy and regional cooperation.
The summit will also review the sanctions imposed on these nations after their military coups, with discussions aimed at striking a balance between diplomatic engagement and the bloc’s core democratic principles.
In addition, leaders are set to deliberate on the rising threat of terrorism in the Sahel, ongoing political instability in certain member states, and accelerating the adoption of the ECO, the proposed regional single currency.
Strengthening intra-regional trade and ensuring the free movement of people and goods under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme are also high on the agenda.
The summit will evaluate the progress of transitions to civilian rule in member states currently under military control.
ECOWAS aims to shorten transition timelines and ensure smoother returns to democratic governance.
President Tinubu, re-elected as ECOWAS Chairman at the 65th Ordinary Summit, previously appointed Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to mediate between ECOWAS and the AES member nations.
President Faye is expected to present his report during the session.
Other pressing issues include the payment of the community levy by member states and the implementation of strategies to strengthen economic integration and cooperation across the bloc.
Delegations from Benin Republic, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo are in attendance.
Details from the summit are expected to emerge as discussions progress.
