ECOWAS, AU Push Green Ports Agenda to Cut Maritime Emissions in Africa

By: Michael Mike

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union have stepped up efforts to drive Africa’s transition to sustainable maritime systems, convening a high-level continental workshop in Abuja to align strategies on green ports development and maritime decarbonization.

The two-day Continental Validation Workshop on Green Ports Guidelines and Maritime Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction brought together senior policymakers, maritime institutions and technical experts from across Africa at the ECOWAS headquarters to deliberate on the implementation of the Revised African Maritime Transport Charter and strengthen the continent’s response to climate challenges in the maritime sector.

Opening the session, ECOWAS Director of Transport Chris Appiah stressed the need for Africa’s maritime industry to adapt to global sustainability trends without compromising trade efficiency and development priorities.

“Efficiency, operational capacity and trade facilitation must remain at the core of Africa’s response, even as the continent advances towards greener maritime systems,” he said while speaking on behalf of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray.

Appiah reaffirmed ECOWAS’ commitment to strengthening maritime governance, upgrading port infrastructure and supporting member states in building resilient and competitive transport systems.

From the continental perspective, the Head of Maritime Transport at the African Union Commission, Raissa‑Julie Ada Allogo, called for stronger coordination among African countries to ensure the continent speaks with one voice in global maritime negotiations.

“This is the time for Africa to speak with one voice to ensure that the transition towards decarbonization remains inclusive, realistic and aligned with the capacities of our Member States,” she said.

Allogo highlighted the importance of the Revised African Maritime Transport Charter, describing it as a key instrument for modernising maritime governance and strengthening cooperation across African maritime institutions.

Regional maritime organisations also weighed in on the discussions. The Secretary-General of the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), Paul Adalikwu, said green port development should be seen not only as an environmental necessity but also as a strategic investment that could enhance efficiency and competitiveness across African ports.

Similarly, the Secretary-General of the Maritime Organisation for Eastern, Southern and Northern Africa (MOESNA), Kassim Kaziba Mpaata, urged African countries to strengthen maritime capacity in order to reduce dependency on external systems and better withstand global disruptions.

Adding a regulatory perspective, the Secretary-General of the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control, Sunday M. Umoren, stressed that adherence to international maritime standards is critical to maintaining Africa’s role in global shipping networks and avoiding higher operational costs.

Development partners also reaffirmed support for the initiative. Speaking on behalf of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), Bekele Essete Abebe described ports as the backbone of global supply chains and emphasised that investments in sustainable and resilient port infrastructure are essential for Africa’s economic transformation.

“Ports remain the backbone of global supply chains, and investing in sustainable and resilient port infrastructure is central to Africa’s economic transformation and climate response,” she said.

Technical sessions during the workshop focused on validating a Handbook and Guidelines on Green Ports in Africa, developed through consultations across member states. The framework identifies priority actions including renewable energy integration, electrification of port operations, digitalisation, emissions monitoring, climate resilience and adoption of cleaner fuels.

Experts noted that the transition to green ports should be viewed not simply as an environmental initiative but as a broader economic and operational transformation that can improve efficiency, strengthen trade competitiveness and enhance resilience across African maritime systems.

The workshop continued with working sessions aimed at consolidating member states’ inputs and developing a coordinated roadmap for implementing the guidelines across the continent.

Officials said the outcome of the meeting is expected to strengthen Africa’s maritime governance framework, improve port performance and position the continent as a proactive actor in the global shift toward sustainable and decarbonised maritime transport.

ECOWAS, AU Push Green Ports Agenda to Cut Maritime Emissions in Africa

ECOWAS Deploys Long-Term Election Observers to Benin Ahead of Presidential Poll

By: Michael Mike

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has deployed a Long-Term Election Observation Mission (LTEOM) to the Benin ahead of the country’s presidential election scheduled for April 12, 2026, as part of efforts to support a credible and peaceful electoral process.

The deployment was authorised by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, in line with regional legal instruments guiding democratic governance and election monitoring within the West African bloc.

According to a statement issued by ECOWAS’ Directorate of Communication in Abuja, 15 election experts drawn from ECOWAS member states will remain in Benin from March 22 to April 18, 2026, observing key phases of the electoral process before, during and after the vote.

The observers possess expertise in constitutional law, diplomacy, electoral operations, political affairs, media, conflict prevention, gender and inclusion, and security, enabling them to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the electoral environment.

ECOWAS said the long-term observers will monitor developments across all regions of Benin, providing early analysis and recommendations aimed at preventing tensions and strengthening public confidence in the electoral process.

“Their analyses will serve as early-warning and rapid-response mechanisms to help prevent and manage any conflict linked to the elections,” the regional body said.

As part of the mission’s operational structure, ECOWAS will establish a situation room to track political and security developments nationwide and provide daily updates to the ECOWAS Commission. The mechanism will also support coordination ahead of the deployment of a Short-Term Election Observation Mission, which is expected to include about 100 observers closer to election day.

The mission is being deployed in line with key regional instruments including the 1993 Revised ECOWAS Treaty, the 1999 Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution, and the 2001 Additional Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which guide the bloc’s role in supporting democratic processes across West Africa.

ECOWAS noted that the long-term observation mission follows a pre-election fact-finding mission that visited Benin from January 7 to 17, 2026, where delegates engaged government officials, political parties, civil society organisations and the country’s electoral management body, the Autonomous National Electoral Commission of Benin (CENA).

The findings of that mission were submitted to the ECOWAS Commission to guide preparations for the broader observation effort.

By deploying the mission, ECOWAS said it was reaffirming its commitment to supporting transparent, credible and peaceful elections in Benin while promoting democracy, good governance, peace and stability across West Africa.

Founded in 1975, the Economic Community of West African States is a regional bloc of 12 member states, working to promote economic integration, political stability and development across the region. The organisation also plays a key role in election observation, mediation and conflict prevention as part of its mandate to safeguard democratic governance in West Africa

ECOWAS Deploys Long-Term Election Observers to Benin Ahead of Presidential Poll

Gunmen abduct cleric in Jos North, police launch rescue operation

By: Zagazola Makama

Gunmen have abducted a cleric, Rev. Prof. Sunday Agang, in Jos North LGA, the police have confirmed.

The incident occurred at about 2:24 p.m. on March 24, when unidentified armed men reportedly stormed the residence of the 68-year-old cleric and whisked him away to an unknown destination.

The report was made by officials of the Evangelical Church Winning All, where the victim is a staff member.

Police authorities said a rescue operation has been launched, with efforts underway to track down the kidnappers and secure the safe release of the victim.

They also assured residents that investigations are ongoing to apprehend those responsible for the abduction.

Gunmen abduct cleric in Jos North, police launch rescue operation