ECOWAS Council of Ministers Convenes Extraordinary Session, Emphasizing Equity and Regional Solidarity.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held an Extraordinary Session of the Council of Ministers today in Abuja, Nigeria, to address pivotal matters of regional integration and institutional governance.

Chaired by H.E. Alhaji Musa Timothy Kabba, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the session centered on two key agenda items: the equitable allocation of statutory positions among member states and the recruitment status of staff from the AES countries (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger) at the P4 grade level and below.

In his opening remarks, H.E. Kabba underscored the community's foundational principles. "Our deliberations today are guided by an unwavering commitment to transparency, equity, and regional solidarity," he stated. He emphasized that a fair and inclusive decision-making process is crucial for strengthening ECOWAS's credibility and advancing its core mandates of economic integration, peace, and security.

The Council engaged in a thorough review of proposals from the Ad-hoc Ministerial Committee on Statutory Positions, with closed-door discussions aimed at shaping actionable outcomes for the collective good of the region.

The Chair expanded the session's focus to the broader security and humanitarian landscape confronting West Africa. He highlighted the urgent threat posed by extremist violence from groups including Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam Wal-Muslimin (JNIM), the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

In response to these challenges, H.E. Kabba called for reinforced regional cooperation, stating, "ECOWAS must remain a pillar of multilateralism and stability." He poignantly reinforced this call by paying tribute to the sacrifices of the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) in restoring peace during Sierra Leone's civil war, sharing his own perspective as a child victim of the conflict to underscore the high human cost of instability and the profound value of peace.

Highlighting a pathway to enduring stability, H.E. Kabba reported on the recent diplomatic engagements undertaken by the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority, H.E. President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone. This included a visit to Burkina Faso and discussions with the leadership of Niger, aimed at fostering dialogue and facilitating the restoration of constitutional order within the region.

At the outset of the session, H.E. Kabba conveyed the appreciation of President Bio to all member states for their support since his election as Chairman. He also extended gratitude to the Federal Republic of Nigeria for its consistent hospitality in hosting the community's meetings.

The outcomes of this Extraordinary Session are expected to provide a clear and constructive framework for managing the community's human resources and strengthening its collective response to both institutional and security-related challenges.

Correspondent-/News Editor-Amara Kargbo

Email: kargboamara079@gmail.com

Tel: ‪+232 73111507‬