From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The Federal Government in conjunction with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is taking steps to reinvigorate the MultiNational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to repurpose the regional Standby Force to effectively counter terrorism.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, stated this during the Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria (ARCAN) Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary Foreign Policy Public Lecture in Abuja.
The lecture with the theme, ‘Consolidating Democracy and Integration in ECOWAS: The journey so far,’ was delivered by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Alieu Omar Touray.
The immediate past Nigerian Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany recalled that over the past six decades, the country has made significant strides as a nation, stating that Nigeria has emerged as Africa’s largest economy, driven by its resourceful and dynamic population.
He also said the nation’s democratic institutions had continued to grow stronger, with peaceful transitions of power serving as a testament to the country’s resilience.
He further said on the global stage, Nigeria has been a key player in promoting peace, security, and development across the continent, but particularly within West Africa and the Sahel, through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
“While challenges come and go, today is a moment to celebrate how far we have come and to reaffirm our commitment to building, not only a more prosperous, united and inclusive Nigeria, but an Africa for future generations.
“Today’s topic, “Consolidating Democracy and Integration in ECOWAS: the Journey so far,” is both timely and important. Africa remains the cornerstone of Nigeria’s foreign policy, in line with its objectives stipulated in our 1999 Constitution. From its founding in 1975, ECOWAS has been central to our efforts in promoting peace, stability and economic integration across the sub-region. The series of Unconstitutional Changes of Government (UCGs) within West Africa over the last few years presents a significant challenge for ECOWAS. While various efforts are ongoing to explore avenues for easing tensions with the breakaway states, we will continue to prioritise deepening economic integration, enhancing security and reinforcing democracy in West Africa and the Sahel for the benefit of the community of peoples.
“Regional economic integration offers a unique pathway for shared prosperity. Nigeria as ECOWAS’ largest economy, recognises the pivotal role it must play in advancing this vision. We are already seeing concrete steps towards a more integrated region, including through the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, which is critical for facilitating a free-flowing market and fostering greater economic cooperation. Additionally, projects such as the Abidjan-Lagos Trade Corridor will not only enhance physical infrastructure connectivity by linking five countries along the West African coast, but will also stimulate intra-regional trade and investment, as well as the movement of goods and people.
“The Regional Economic Communities (RECs) are the essential building blocks of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). And it is safe to say that the creation of the AfCFTA is now a public convention, as well as a political conviction widely accepted across the globe. No RECs, no AfCFTA. However, we cannot sustain growth without peace, stability and good governance. To this end, Nigeria is taking steps to reinvigorate the MultiNational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and is working with ECOWAS to repurpose the regional Standby Force to effectively counter terrorism.”
Tuggar recalled that during the last ECOWAS Summit, President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to remitting its collected levies to the organisation as and when due, in order to lead by example and ensure that the bloc had adequate resources for its programmes and activities.
“We will continue to promote governance based on constitutional authority, structured transitions and accountability to the population. ECOWAS must uphold its commitment to integration, resolving disputes peacefully, maintaining security in the region and democratic governance. For peace to reign in ECOWAS and the expanding Sahel, we must continue to proffer our own organic solutions, with the support of partners who are genuinely committed to our developmental aspirations. We must not allow our region to become a zone of global contestation,” he added.
He assured that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was paying close attention to developments in other parts of the world and rigorously analysing them for more efficient implementation of foreign policy.
A former Chief of Defence Staff, General Martin Luther Agwai (retd), said to maintain peace and stability in the region as enunciated by the foreign affairs minister, the military also has a major part to play and they are an instrument at the disposal of the government to be used to achieve the policies that the government has installed.
“We gather at a pivotal time for our region and when the foundation of democracy, peace and stability is being tested across, not only West Africa and Africa, but also around the world. So, when it is tested in Sahel, it is actually connected to what is happening in our world.
“But, the good thing is that in our collective commitment to ECOWAS, the way to respond to these things has never been addressed as it is today. And we hope we work together with all that are present and with all other partners to face the challenges, the immediate challenges, and the long-term prospects to our region. Over the years, ECOWAS has made tremendous efforts to foster democracy and maintain stability.
“From mediating and organising peaceful elections, our regional body has remained a key player in advancing democracy and peace. We have witnessed ECOWAS respond to unconstitutional changes of government, actively restoring governance and ensuring that the voice of the people is being respected. These efforts have not only strengthened democracy, but also showcased our region’s resolve to stand firm in the face of instability.”
Agwai, former Commander of the Combined United Nations-African Union Peacekeeping Force in Darfur, Sudan, added that that is why in Sahel where terrorism, transnational crime and humanitarian crises continue to threaten regional stability, ECOWAS, in collaboration with African Union and other international partners, have been in the forefront and in the effort to promote African-led solutions to these crises.
“By coordinating security initiatives, deploying peacekeepers and peacekeeping missions and facilitating dialogue, our region is taking concrete steps to ensure that the Sahel remains part of a stable and prosperous West Africa. And as we talk about the importance of democracy, I remember when I was still in service, people in the world and in West Africa were saying that Nigeria was exporting what she does not have at home, and that is democracy.”
Agwai recalled that during military rule, Nigeria reinstated a democratically elected government in another West African country, saying that Nigeria has been at the forefront of democracy even under military rule.
“And now that we have been found in democracy, I will assure you that the Nigerian armed forces I served for 40 years is ready to back the government for the progress of Nigeria and West Africa.”
He added that conflict is something that would continue to be with the region, but that the good thing about conflict in his little understanding both at home and when he was serving as a deputy military advisor at the United Nations, and also while in Darfur, is that conflict could be destructive and it could be constructive.
Delivering the lecture, Touray said ECOWAS would continue to focus on economic integration of the region.
“Our leaders have put in place measures that seek to promote economic integration. One such measure that I have spoken about is the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme that is meant to support traders in the community to trade within the community,” he said.