Editor’s Note
This article is based on an official communiqué from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regarding an extraordinary summit held in Abuja on February 24, 2024. The meeting, chaired by Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, focused on reviewing the region’s political and security landscape.
1. The Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held an extraordinary session on February 24, 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria, under the chairmanship of H.E. Bola Ahmed TINUBU, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chair of the Conference.
2. This Extraordinary Summit was convened with the aim of reviewing the political, peace, and security situation in West Africa.
3. The following Heads of State and Government or their duly mandated representatives were present at this session:
– H.E. Patrice TALON, President of the Republic of Benin,
– H.E. Alassane OUATTARA, President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire,
– H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO, President of the Republic of Ghana,
– H.E. Umaro Sissoco EMBALO, President of the Republic of Guinea Bissau,
– H.E. Bola Ahmed TINUBU, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
– H.E. Macky SALL, President of the Republic of Senegal,
– H.E. Julius Maada BIO, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone,
– H.E. Faure Essozimna GNASSINGBE, President of the Togolese Republic,
– H.E. Muhammed B. JALLOW, Vice-President of the Republic of The Gambia,
– H.E. Amb. Belarmino M. SILVA, Ambassador of the Republic of Cabo Verde to the Republic of Nigeria and ECOWAS,
– H.E. Amb. Alhassan CONTEH, Ambassador of the Republic of Liberia to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and ECOWAS.
4. Also in attendance at this session were:
– H.E. Dr Omar Alieu TOURAY, President of the ECOWAS Commission,
– H.E. Amb. Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the African Union Commission, representing the Chairperson of the Commission, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat,
– H.E. Leonardo Santos SIMÃO, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel and Head of UNOWAS.
– H.E. Dr. George Agyekum Nana Donkor, President of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID),
– H.E. Jean-Claude Kassi-Brou, Governor of the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO),
– Ambassador Baba Kamara, ECOWAS Special Representative on Counter-Terrorism.
The Conference, having:
5. Taken note of the memoranda presented by the President of the ECOWAS Commission on the political, peace, and security situation in West Africa;
6. Widely discussed the latest developments within the region;
7. Taken stock of the situation in the Republic of Niger since July 26, 2023, the date on which the military in the Republic of Niger overthrew the 4th government of President Mohamed Bazoum and placed him under house arrest;
8. Examined in detail the notifications received from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger regarding their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS;
The Conference recalls the decisions it had taken following the first two extraordinary sessions dedicated to Niger, held on July 30 and August 10, 2023, respectively, in addition to the decisions from its 64th ordinary session held on December 10, 2023;
9. Notes with regret that despite the multiple efforts made by ECOWAS, former President Mohamed Bazoum remains detained and no transition plan has been developed by the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) which leads the country;
10. Recalls the principle of zero tolerance of ECOWAS for the seizure of power by unconstitutional means, as enshrined in ECOWAS protocols, the African Union Charter, and other international instruments;
11. Reiterates its commitment to maintaining dialogue with the government of Niger with the aim of securing the release of President Bazoum and agreeing on a transition timetable;
12. Takes note of the period of Christian Lent and the approach of the blessed month of Ramadan.
13. Also takes note of the appeal made to the region’s leaders by His Excellency General Yakubu Gowon, former Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and founding father of ECOWAS, as well as the requests made by the Malehossou Foundation in Benin and by several other personalities and humanitarian organizations, concerning the situation in Niger.
14. The Conference notes that this withdrawal will have political, socioeconomic, financial, and institutional implications for the three countries concerned and for ECOWAS as a group.
15. The Conference recalls that, within the framework of regional cooperation to combat terrorism, violent extremism, and organized crime, these three countries have benefited from an envelope of 100 million US dollars, mobilized by UEMOA under the ECOWAS Action Plan against Terrorism. Furthermore, other amounts have been allocated to these countries (7.5 million dollars) for the acquisition of equipment to help them fight terrorism.
16. The withdrawal will have implications for cooperation in security, intelligence sharing, and participation in regional counter-terrorism initiatives, notably the Accra Initiative and the activities of the Multinational Joint Task Force.
