ECOWAS Leaders Push Reforms To Strengthen Regional Unity, Security

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is facing growing calls for institutional reforms as regional leaders seek to strengthen the bloc’s capacity to address mounting political, security and economic challenges across West Africa.

The appeal was made during the opening of the 96th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in Freetown, Sierra Leone, where ministers gathered to discuss the future of regional integration and ways to restore public confidence in the organisation.

The two-day meeting precedes the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.

Chairman of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers and Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Alhaji Musa Timothy Kabba, said the region could no longer allow internal divisions and emerging threats to undermine the bloc’s founding vision.

He stressed that ECOWAS must become more responsive, united and innovative in delivering peace, security, economic opportunities and social development to citizens.

“Our citizens’ expectations have never been higher,” Kabba said, urging member states to ensure that regional integration translates into tangible improvements in people’s lives.

He added that dialogue, solidarity and mutual respect remain essential for achieving lasting peace and sustainable development, drawing from Sierra Leone’s own experience of rebuilding after conflict.

Kabba also called on member states to remain committed to the ideals of ECOWAS’ founding fathers, who believed the region’s future depended on collective cooperation.

ECOWAS Commission President, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, echoed the call, saying the regional body must move beyond celebrating its 50-year legacy and focus on practical actions that respond to present-day realities.

According to him, ECOWAS has navigated one of the most difficult periods in its history, marked by political instability, worsening insecurity, economic uncertainty and the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the bloc.

Despite these challenges, Touray said the Commission had continued implementing decisions of the Authority of Heads of State and Government, maintaining institutional stability and preserving regional cooperation.

He urged member states to strengthen ECOWAS institutions so they can better address the evolving needs of West Africans.

Among the Commission’s recent achievements, Touray highlighted the operationalisation of the Permanent Representatives Committee, the commissioning of the Mfum-Ekok bridge and joint border post linking ECOWAS and ECCAS member states, the launch of the ECOWAS Business Council chaired by Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote, and the relocation of the Commission to its new headquarters in Abuja.

He said these milestones reflected the bloc’s determination to build stronger institutions capable of delivering greater benefits to citizens.

The Council is expected to deliberate on the 2026 Interim Report on the State of the Community, review ECOWAS’ financial position, assess implementation of previous decisions and consider reports from several statutory bodies.

Other agenda items include digital transformation, investment promotion, agriculture, trade, science, innovation, gender equality, telecommunications and relations with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

The recommendations from the ministerial meeting will be presented to the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at its forthcoming summit.

The session also marks Touray’s final Ordinary Council meeting as President of the ECOWAS Commission after four years in office.

He expressed appreciation to member states, development partners and ECOWAS staff for their support during his tenure, describing the progress made as a collective achievement.

Touray said he remained optimistic about the future of ECOWAS, expressing confidence that the regional bloc possesses the resilience, institutional capacity and political will to promote peace, regional integration and sustainable development across West Africa.