Gambian
President Adama Barrow has praised the regional economic body, the Economic
Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for its continued success. Giving the
vote of thanks on behalf of his colleagues at the conclusion of this weekend’s
51st Summit of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government in Monrovia, Liberia,
President Barrow said ECOWAS owed its success to its dedication and
professionalism.
President Barrow attributed the success of
this summit to ECOWAS’ Council of Ministers and the planning that went into the
technical meetings held from the 1st to 3rd June in preparations for the
summit.
Gambian
Foreign Affairs Minister Ousainou Darbo and Trade Minister Isatou Touray and
their Permanent Secretaries participated in the preparatory meetings. The
Gambian President expressed his appreciation for ECOWAS’ support to The Gambia.
He said it was vital for the stabilisation of the country and was helping to
ensure that his government undertook the necessary security and other reforms
for sustainable development and good governance.
Outgoing ECOWAS Chairperson and Liberian
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf spoke of the various developments achieved
during her tenure, as well as the challenges faced. She said the sub-regional organisation
remained determined to restructure its institutions, reduce costs and improve
services. President Johnson Sirleaf
noted that the priority for ECOWAS was the promotion of unity and solidarity,
peace, security and integration.
Nigerian President Muhamadu Buhari was
commended for the significant support his country had provided for the
organisation, while other members were urged to contribute their quota to meet
their obligations.
The Liberian President called on members to
educate border security officers on the rights of people moving across borders
in order to strengthen regional ties.
She also encouraged the integration of young people in agriculture and
industrial development, as she said this would reduce unemployment in the
region.
President Sirleaf gave special recognition to
and welcomed President Adama Barrow to the ECOWAS family. She said she was
elated that under her leadership, the sub-regional body supported by the
African Union, European Union and the United Nations, has been able to work
hard to end the impasse in The Gambia. She added that ECOWAS would continue to
support the new administration. Madam Sirleaf concluded by symbolically handing
over the mantle of leadership to the incoming ECOWAS Chairperson President
Faure Gnassingbe of Togo. Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was a special guest of honour at the summit. He
shared his country’s plan to expand cooperation with Africa. He told the West Africa leaders that Israel
celebrated diversity and planned to work with ECOWAS to expand trade,
agriculture and other industries in West Africa.
ECOWAS is gaining momentum in its leadership
to take decisive action on sub-regional issues. Statements from the African
Union, European Union and the United Nations Office For West Africa and the
Sahel (UNOWAS) all referenced the strong leadership that ECOWAS had developed
in the region. Recently, the organisation has received requests for membership
and association from several countries, including Morroco, Tunisia and
Mauritania. Israel has requested observer status.
The
leaders discussed governance, institutional and administrative reports
presented by ECOWAS Commission President Marcel De Souza and his team. State House press
