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ECOWAS at 50: Stakeholders Call for Reforms to Prevent Disintegration
ECOWAS at 50: Stakeholders Call for Reforms to Prevent Disintegration
… Ask for Door on Return of Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali to Remain Opened
By: Michael Mike
As the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) gears up for its 50th anniversary, stakeholders from various sectors have called for immediate and holistic reform of the organisation.
The call was made on Wednesday in Abuja at a high-level forum, organised by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS), with the theme: ‘ECOWAS @ 50, Reform or Disintegrate: Which pathway for the Regional Bloc?’.
The CDD Senior Fellow, Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim in his presentation, traced ECOWAS’s historical role in promoting democracy and integration in West Africa, while warning
that recent developments, including military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea, posed significant challenges to the bloc’s cohesion and must be acted upon.
He said: “ECOWAS has been instrumental in deepening democracy in our region. Yet, the emergence of unconstitutional regimes threatens the unity and progress we’ve achieved.”
Ibrahim maintained the importance of continued dialogue with the Sahelian countries that have experienced coups, advocating for their reintegration into ECOWAS through a renewed commitment to democratic principles.
He also noted the region’s economic struggles, saying that West Africa now hosts one of the largest populations of impoverished people globally.
He highlighted the inability of many ECOWAS member states to generate sustainable employment, particularly for the youth, fuels disillusionment and instability.
He said, “The dream of independence -access to education, opportunity, and self-determination- has faded. That broken promise is now being expressed in terrorism, displacement, and deepened poverty.”
He insisted that ECOWAS needs to undergo comprehensive reforms, calling for dismantling systems rooted in colonial and imperial legacies and emphasized the need for inclusive governance structures that prioritize the welfare of all citizens.
He said: “Without reclaiming West Africa’s resources for its people, genuine development and integration will remain a distant dream.”
On his part, the chairman of the CDD Board, Comrade John Odah, reflected on ECOWAS’s 50-year journey, acknowledging both achievements and challenges.
He urged civil society organizations to critically evaluate the bloc’s successes and shortcomings and to actively support the vision of regional integration.
He said: “ECOWAS was established to integrate 15 sub-Saharan African countries socially, economically, culturally, and politically. Despite challenges, significant progress has been made. It’s imperative for civil society to ensure that the dream of ECOWAS integration is not aborted.”
He urged stakeholders to interrogate what has been successful and what have been the challenges in the 50-year history of ECOWAS integration, and to contribute in whatever way possible to ensure the dream of ECOWAS integration is not aborted.
Speaking on behalf of the WADEMOS, Paul Osei-Kuffour, the Program Manager, CDD-Ghana and Network Coordinator, WADEMOS, said ECOWAS is facing threats and vulnerabilities which are at the core of its foundation and existence and could undermine its legitimacy and relevance.
He said that theme of the convening reflects the reality of the situation confronting the region such as the exit of the three countries and the formation of the AES.
He said: “Although we experienced the exit of Mauritania in the past, the historical, cultural, security and economic ties between the three countries and ECOWAS presents its unique challenges. Additionally, ECOWAS response to military coups and applications of sanctions have experienced challenges and setback, and not yielded the expected results with transition in Guinea remaining in perpetuity.
“The regional body has also been criticised for not doing much to integrate the voices of community citizens in ECOWAS decision making processes and the realization of the constitutional convergence principles in its structures and institutions.
“And at the global level, which ECOWAS is not an exception, we are seeing persistent attacks on multilateral institutions as part of the playbook of authoritarian leaders hiding under the claim of sovereignty,” Osei-Kuffour said.
ECOWAS at 50: Stakeholders Call for Reforms to Prevent Disintegration
Maiduguri blasts: Police confirm 23 dead, 108 injured as security heightened
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigeria Police Force in Borno State has confirmed that 23 persons were killed and 108 others injured following multiple explosions that rocked Maiduguri on Monday evening, in what authorities described as coordinated suicide attacks.
The incidents, which occurred at about 7:24 p.m., targeted crowded and strategic locations within the metropolis, including the Maiduguri Monday Market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and the Post Office Flyover, Maiduguri.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, preliminary investigations revealed that the explosions were carried out by suspected suicide bombers using improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
The coordinated nature of the attacks, which struck nearly simultaneously across different parts of the city, has raised fresh concerns about evolving tactics by insurgent groups seeking to undermine ongoing counter-terrorism efforts in the North-East.
Zagazola noted that the choice of targets particularly a major market, a hospital vicinity, and a busy flyover suggests an intent to maximise casualties, spread fear, and disrupt socio-economic activities in the state capital.
In response, a combined team of Police Tactical Units, military personnel and other joint security operatives were immediately deployed to the affected areas.
The scenes were swiftly secured and cordoned off, while the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit conducted detailed sweep operations to rule out the presence of additional explosive devices.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, led a high-level assessment visit to the affected locations, where he commiserated with victims and their families.
He assured residents of the command’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property, noting that enhanced security measures had been activated across the state.
Emergency responders, including the National Emergency Management Agency and the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, worked in coordination with medical teams to evacuate victims to hospitals, where they are currently receiving treatment.
Despite the scale of the attacks, authorities made the efforts to restore normalcy in the affected areas, with security presence significantly increased across Maiduguri and its environs.
Residents have been urged to remain calm but vigilant, particularly in public places, and to promptly report any suspicious movements or objects to security agencies.
The command also commended the resilience and cooperation of residents, reiterating its commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the state.
Maiduguri blasts: Police confirm 23 dead, 108 injured as security heightened
Troops nutrialised several Boko Haram terrorists in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have nutrialised several Boko Haram terrorists after it successfully repelled a terrorist ambush along the Longlari–Kanama road in Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 5:23 p.m. on March 14 when troops of the 159 Battalion Nigerian Army, B Company, stationed in Kanama, were returning from a routine patrol.
.According to the sources, the troops were ambushed by suspected terrorists along the Longlari–Kanama road near Mairari village.
The troops engaged the terrorists with heavy fire and neutralized several of them forcing many of them fo flee.
Following the encounter, the soldiers conducted exploitation of the general area to track the fleeing insurgents.
Troops nutrialised several Boko Haram terrorists in Yobe
Zulum Condemns Maiduguri Explosion, Calls for Calm, Vigilance in Worship, Public Places
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has condemned in the strongest terms the explosion that occurred in some parts of the metropolis on Monday evening.
Zulum, who is currently in Saudi Arabia for the Lesser Hajj, described the attack as despicable, cruel, and cowardly, targeting innocent people in the holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dauda Iliya, called for increased vigilance and heightened security measures, particularly in places of worship, as the festive period beckons.
“I am deeply saddened by the explosions that occurred in parts of the metropolis on Monday evening.
My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and those injured as a result of the blast. The act is utterly condemnable, barbaric, and inhumane,” said Zulum.
He added, “The recent surge in attacks is not unconnected with intense military operations in the Sambisa forest and other hideouts of the insurgents.
The Governor, therefore, assured people of the state that the military and other security agencies are on top of the situation, as adequate measures have been taken to forestall any security breach in Maiduguri and the entire state.
He called on residents to remain calm, go about their usual activities, and report any suspicious movement or activity to security agencies.
Zulum Condemns Maiduguri Explosion, Calls for Calm, Vigilance in Worship, Public Places
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