Latest news with #ECOWAS
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
The Secretary-General notes that, over the past five decades, ECOWAS has played a vital role in advancing economic cooperation, regional integration, and peace and stability in this rich and vibrant region. From free movement of people and trade liberalization to regional infrastructure projects, conflict resolution, and contributions to peacekeeping, ECOWAS has made remarkable strides towards achieving its vision of an integrated Community of peoples in a peaceful and prosperous region. The Secretary-General recognizes the strong institutional partnership between the United Nations and ECOWAS, as exemplified by several joint initiatives in the region, including through the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel and the broader United Nations system. He encourages continued cooperation to preserve hard-won regional gains and mobilize international support to address the challenges and needs of the region. The Secretary-General reiterates the commitment of the United Nations to ECOWAS, including in support to regional efforts to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the ECOWAS Vision 2050 of an 'ECOWAS of the Peoples: Peace and Prosperity for All'. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
France 24
2 days ago
- Politics
- France 24
Namibia honours victims of colonial genocide as reparation calls grow
In tonight's edition: Namibia marks the mass killings of Indigenous people in the early 20th century by former colonial ruler Germany with its first genocide remembrance day. Also, leaders of West African regional bloc ECOWAS celebrate 50 years since its formation. And as war rages elsewhere in the country, the scale of the destruction in Sudan's capital Khartoum is laid bare.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Jihadist violence and coups test West Africa ECOWAS bloc at 50
People walk into the Eko Conventional Hall where leaders from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will gather to celebrate the golden jubilee of the regional bloc in Nigeria's commercial capital, Lagos, Nigeria, May 28, 2025. Picture taken using slow shutter speed. REUTERS/Sodiq Adelakun Students walk into the Eko Conventional Hall where leaders from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will gather to celebrate the golden jubilee of the regional bloc in Nigeria's commercial capital, Lagos, Nigeria, May 28, 2025. REUTERS/Sodiq Adelakun A banner is displayed inside the Eko Conventional Hall where leaders from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will gather to celebrate the golden jubilee of the regional bloc in Nigeria's commercial capital, Lagos, Nigeria, May 28, 2025. REUTERS/Sodiq Adelakun A statue is seen inside the Eko Conventional Hall where leaders from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will gather to celebrate the golden jubilee of the regional bloc in Nigeria's commercial capital, Lagos, Nigeria, May 28, 2025. REUTERS/Sodiq Adelakun LAGOS - The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) faces growing threats of terrorism, climate change, military coups, and poverty, its most senior official said on Wednesday as leaders marked 50 years since the bloc's formation in Nigeria. Jihadist violence has surged this year in Nigeria and the Sahel region, including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger - nations that have recently seceded from ECOWAS in protest over sanctions following military coups. "We are confronting the greatest challenges we face today, terrorism, climate change and unconstitutional change of government, poverty and economic disparities," ECOWAS Commission President Omar Alieu Touray said, expressing confidence in overcoming the challenges. Established on May 28, 1975, ECOWAS aimed to promote regional economic integration, security cooperation, human rights, and democratic governance. However, five decades later, military juntas in founding member states Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have disassociated from the bloc, saying it no longer serves their interests. The countries have formed their own Alliance of Sahel States and a confederation, cut military and diplomatic ties with Western powers and sought closer cooperation with Russia. Touray said ECOWAS would continue trying to cooperate with the three countries. Security and political analysts said curbing insecurity was crucial for ECOWAS to fulfill its promise of prosperity and lift millions from poverty. Beverly Ochieng, senior analyst at Control Risk in Dakar, Senegal, said: "If you don't have security, then of course it means that you cannot guarantee a robust economy in the region." Analysts also criticized ECOWAS for its silence when leaders controversially amend constitutions to extend their rule, leading to citizens applauding military coups. They cited the recent example of Togo's leader Faure Gnassingbe, who was granted the influential new role of President of the Council of Ministers with no fixed term limit - a move opposition parties labelled a constitutional coup potentially extending his rule indefinitely. REUTERS Find out more about climate change and how it could affect you on the ST microsite here.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
At 50, West Africa bloc ECOWAS teeters amid shifting alliances, security woes
LAGOS: Leaders of ECOWAS on Wednesday celebrated 50 years since its formation, reflecting on regional security challenges and internal fractures as Africa as a whole also seeks answers in the face of US trade tariffs and aid cuts. The anniversary comes at one of the worst of moments in recent years for the Economic Community of West African States, which was once internationally respected as a force for stability. Three junta-led countries Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger quit the bloc earlier this year. ECOWAS is also grappling with its security challenges with jihadists exploiting strained relationships between members and gaining ground in the Sahel and Lake Chad region. Benin and Nigeria have experienced a wave of attacks in recent months. And the Sahel region was in 2024 ranked the epicentre of global "terrorism" for the second straight year, accounting for more than half of deaths put down to terror attacks worldwide, according to the Global Terrorism Index published in March. Coups and attempted putsches have rocked nearly half of the original ECOWAS countries in the last decade, putting democracy on the ropes and straining relations among neighbours. Retired General Yakubu Gowon, 90, Nigeria's former military leader and the only surviving co-founder of the organisation, was confident the trio would return to the ECOWAS fold. "In recent years, we have witnessed the troubling resurgence of military coups in some of our member states. We thought that was over, but it seems as though personal ambition drives some people to do the wrong thing," he said in an address to the gathering at a Lagos hotel. "Our sister nations that have chosen to exit the community may in time reconsider their decision, as the bonds of history, culture, and shared destiny remain unbroken". "I am confident that with goodwill and sincere engagement, they will find a reason to return to ECOWAS family, stronger, more united, and committed to our common vision for West Africa. I believe, sooner or later, they will... come back," Gowon added.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Jihadist violence and coups test West Africa ECOWAS bloc at 50
LAGOS (Reuters) -The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) faces growing threats of terrorism, climate change, military coups, and poverty, its most senior official said on Wednesday as leaders marked 50 years since the bloc's formation in Nigeria. Jihadist violence has surged this year in Nigeria and the Sahel region, including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger - nations that have recently seceded from ECOWAS in protest over sanctions following military coups. "We are confronting the greatest challenges we face today, terrorism, climate change and unconstitutional change of government, poverty and economic disparities," ECOWAS Commission President Omar Alieu Touray said, expressing confidence in overcoming the challenges. Established on May 28, 1975, ECOWAS aimed to promote regional economic integration, security cooperation, human rights, and democratic governance. However, five decades later, military juntas in founding member states Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have disassociated from the bloc, saying it no longer serves their interests. The countries have formed their own Alliance of Sahel States and a confederation, cut military and diplomatic ties with Western powers and sought closer cooperation with Russia. Touray said ECOWAS would continue trying to cooperate with the three countries. Security and political analysts said curbing insecurity was crucial for ECOWAS to fulfill its promise of prosperity and lift millions from poverty. Beverly Ochieng, senior analyst at Control Risk in Dakar, Senegal, said: "If you don't have security, then of course it means that you cannot guarantee a robust economy in the region." Analysts also criticized ECOWAS for its silence when leaders controversially amend constitutions to extend their rule, leading to citizens applauding military coups. They cited the recent example of Togo's leader Faure Gnassingbe, who was granted the influential new role of President of the Council of Ministers with no fixed term limit - a move opposition parties labelled a constitutional coup potentially extending his rule indefinitely.
