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…as Nigeria’s Vice President Shettima call for unity, collective resolve

By Gloria Ikibah

The Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, has announced fresh regional measures aimed at tackling terrorism, banditry, and organised crime across West Africa.

Speaking at the opening of the 68th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority in Abuja on Sunday, President Bio said Ministers of Finance and Defence across the bloc are working on sustainable funding options and operational plans to establish a 1,650-person counter-terrorism brigade by the end of 2026.

He explained that the region’s security challenges require a broad and coordinated response, stressing that military action alone will not be sufficient. According to him, lasting peace must be pursued alongside job creation, improved education, and stronger systems of governance.

President Bio described the current ECOWAS summit as a critical moment for the organisation, noting that it comes 50 years after the bloc’s founding vision of unity, cooperation, and shared progress for the more than 400 million people across West Africa.

He said: “As we mark this Golden Jubilee, we are called to renew that vision with clarity, courage and above all, unity.

“But we must also pair security with governance, education, job creation and community resilience.
“It is only through such holistic approaches that we can dismantle extremism at its roots.

“This session is therefore an opportunity to take stock of where we are, confront the realities before us and chart a future for the next 50 years, a future worthy of hope of our people. West Africa faces some of the most complex and evolving threats in its history.

“Terrorism, violent extremism, organised crime and communal conflicts continue to destabilise communities and undermine development. The situation in the Sahel remains particularly grave. Instability in one nation is instability for all.

“No border can insulate us from violence or fragmentation. The courage of our defence and security forces deserve our utmost admiration. Yet, terrorist networks continue to exploit fragility and attempt to expand their influence.

“Our response must therefore be united and uncompromising. Security is not only a military obligation, it is a human imperative, essential for protecting families, livelihoods and the dignity of our citizens. We must strengthen collective action, integrated intelligence systems, coordinated border operations and the operationalisation of ECOWAS as a standby force for counter-terrorism”.

President Bio praised Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, for the swift response to the crisis in Benin, while strongly condemning the military takeover in Guinea-Bissau and the attempted coup in the Republic of Benin, both of which occurred within a single month.

He noted that these developments underline the need for constant vigilance and firm, principled action to protect democracy. According to him, the renewed wave of unconstitutional changes of government poses a serious threat to regional stability, erodes citizens’ rights, and weakens the collective future of West Africa.

“The instability in Guinea-Bissau and the attempted coup d’état in Benin remind us that democracy requires constant vigilance and principled action.

“On behalf of this authority, I strongly condemn the unconstitutional change of government in Guinea-Bissau and the attempt to subvert the constitutional order in Benin.
“I commend the rapid mobilisation of ECOWAS troops and air assets, with Nigeria taking the lead to safeguard constitutional order in Benin.

“This unified regional response reaffirms an essential principle. ECOWAS does not and will not compromise on democratic governance. I express solidarity with the people of Guinea-Bissau and stand firmly with Excellency President Patrice Talon and the people of Benin for their steadfast defence of constitutional order.

“To our member states in transition, ECOWAS remains committed to supporting credible, inclusive and time-bound pathways back to constitutional rule. Our citizens deserve legitimate leadership and accountable governance.

“We must uphold the ECOWAS protocol on democracy and good governance, with clarity and moral conviction.

“Our citizens expect leadership, not hesitation, at this critical juncture. We commend His Excellency President Alassane Ouattara and the people of Cote d’Ivoire for reaffirming democratic participation and electoral dignity. While security and democratic challenges confront us, our citizens are also burdened by rising living costs, trade disruptions, shrinking opportunities and pressure on national economies”, he stated.

Bio said that regional and economic integration is not optional, but the bedrock of the ECOWAS vision and the foundation upon which our collective prosperity, stability and global relevance must continue to grow.

“To realise this aspiration, we must deepen economic connectivity by eliminating trade barriers, harmonising trade policies, advancing monetary convergence and accelerating the establishment of the ECOWAS Single Market in alignment with the African Continental Free Trade Area.

“The work of the ECOWAS Convergence Council has already brought renewed momentum, strengthening fiscal and monetary coordination and enhancing confiden ok in our path forward to a single currency target by 2027.

“It must translate into real and measurable benefits for our citizens. It is in this spirit that I highlight a transformative development reflecting our renewed commitment to making mobility, opportunity and inclusion truly accessible to all.

“Beginning 1 January 2026, our community will implement a landmark measure to reduce the cost of air travel across West Africa. Under this agreement, member states will abolish air transport taxes and reduce passenger and security charges by 25%”, he added.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President, Kashim Shettima, in his welcome remarks urged West African leaders to reaffirm their shared bonds and confront the region’s growing challenges through unity, dialogue, and collective resolve.

Shettima said the region’s unity is rooted not in convenience, but in history, culture, and a shared destiny, noting that West Africa is bound together by deep ties formed through common experiences, struggles, and aspirations.

While acknowledging the differences that exist among member states, Shettima described disagreement as a natural feature of any family. However, he cautioned that such differences must not be allowed to weaken collective progress or undermine the region’s shared goals.

“Like all families, we disagree, we contest ideas, and we test one another’s patience. But disagreement does not create belonging. Civil rivalry does not allow shared growth. This is the position of Nigeria,” he said.

Shettima said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had consistently demonstrated that Nigeria’s commitment to regional unity was principled and enduring.

“It is the abiding conviction of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose actions have consistently signalled that our unity is not transactional, but foundational.
“We remain persuaded that fraternity, not force, must define the future of our community”, Shettima noted.

He described the timing of the summit as critical, noting that recent tensions had tested the cohesion of the regional bloc.
“This session could not have come at a more consequential moment. We have, in recent times, allowed our differences to shake the very foundations of our union.
“Yet history reminds us that a cause can only fulfil the purpose of its creation when every member state upholds the values of fairness, justice, and equality within its domestic affairs”, he added.

The Vice-President warned that ECOWAS was most vulnerable not from external pressure, but from internal mistrust.

“A community is only as strong as the trust its members repose in one another. We are most vulnerable not when challenged from outside, but when weakened from within”, he stated.

He urged leaders to prevent internal divisions from eroding decades of progress, stressing that the threats facing the region required a united response.

“Excellencies, the external threats confronting West Africa today demand nothing less than a united front.

“Terrorism, violent extremism, unconstitutional changes of government, transnational organised crime, arms proliferation, cyber insecurity, climate shocks, food insecurity, and irregular migration recognise no borders.”

According to him, no country could secure lasting peace or prosperity on its own.

“No single member state, regardless of size or fame, can achieve enduring stability in isolation. Our security, prosperity, and resilience are indivisible,.

“We must sit at the same table, speak with one voice, and act with shared resolve”, he said.

Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the ideals of ECOWAS and to collective action in defence of the region’s future.

“Nigeria is here to reassure this authority of her proven fidelity to the ideals of our community and her unwavering commitment to collective action in defence of our common future.

“Permit me, finally, to welcome all heads of state and government and to thank every member state for its contribution towards restoring order, stability, and confidence in our region.

“Your efforts will affirm that our shared geography is not a cause, but an opportunity to build a community that serves our collective good and protects the dignity of our peoples”, he said

He expressed hope that the summit would renew trust and strengthen regional solidarity.