Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is currently presiding over the 66th Ordinary Summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at the State House in Abuja.
The ongoing summit is primarily focused on advancing regional economic integration and addressing key challenges affecting the bloc. Among the major topics under discussion is the decision of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to withdraw from ECOWAS, which has raised significant concerns within the regional community.
The summit will also review the sanctions imposed on these three nations following recent military coups, with the goal of balancing diplomatic efforts with ECOWAS’s commitment to promoting democracy and stability across the region.
Key issues, including the escalating terrorism in the Sahel and ongoing political instability within member states, are expected to be addressed. The ECOWAS leaders are also set to discuss timelines for transitioning countries under military rule back to civilian governance, with a focus on expediting these transitions.
At the previous summit, President Tinubu appointed Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye as a mediator between ECOWAS and the trio of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The report from President Faye is also expected to be presented during the meeting, with the goal of finding lasting solutions to the current challenges.
