The Federal Government has urged the new leadership of the Economic Community of West African States to intensify engagement with countries under the Alliance of Sahel States, describing them as “brothers and sisters” with shared challenges and aspirations.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja during the handover ceremony for outgoing and incoming statutory appointees of ECOWAS institutions.
Enikanolaiye, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the ceremony, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the progress, growth and stability of the regional bloc.
He said peace and security remained the foundation of regional economic integration and urged ECOWAS to strengthen dialogue with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, which constitute the Alliance of Sahel States.
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The minister urged the incoming ECOWAS leadership to remain committed to the vision of the founding fathers of a united, peaceful, prosperous and integrated West Africa.
He also called for greater commitment to the implementation of ECOWAS Vision 2050, titled “The ECOWAS of Peoples: Peace and Prosperity for All.”
The call comes amid continued tensions between ECOWAS and the three Sahel countries, which have pursued a separate regional bloc after withdrawing from ECOWAS.
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Nigeria’s position signals an emphasis on dialogue and reconciliation as the regional bloc seeks to address political, security and economic challenges confronting West Africa.
