By Blessing Chinagorom
The Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Bola Tinubu has called on West African leaders to prioritize good governance and collective prosperity as an essential tool to prevent authoritarian takeovers of power and unconstitutional changes of government in the region.
Tinubu, in his opening statement at the 64th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Summit on Sunday, December 10, Presidential Villa, Abuja, identified good governance as a key catalyst to secure popular support through the socio-economic transformation and development of West Africa.
According to him, “The delivery of good governance is not just a fundamental commitment; it is also an avenue to address the concerns of our citizens, to improve their quality of life, and create a stable environment conducive to the achievement of sustainable development.
“By providing good governance that tackles the challenges of poverty, inequality and other concerns of the people, we would have succeeded in addressing some of the root causes of military interventions in civilian processes in our region,” the President stated.
Recounting decisions taken by West African leaders to further strengthen the region’s democratic achievements and uphold the right of the people to elect the leaders of their choice, the President said the bloc has outlined specific measures to be taken against any member state opting for unconstitutional change of government.
“While the imposition of punitive sanctions may pose challenges, it is important to underscore that the struggle to protect the fundamental liberties of our Community’s Citizens must be upheld and respected.
“To this end, I would like to reiterate the imperative of re-engaging with the countries under military rule on the basis of realistic and short transition plans that can deliver democracy and good governance to the innocent populations in those countries.
“On our part, we should be prepared to provide them with technical and material support, to ensure the achievement of these strategic goals,” he said.
Tinubu also used the occasion to applaud President George Weah of Liberia for conceding victory and congratulating his opponent during the last presidential election in Liberia.
He invited leaders at the summit and other participants to give a standing ovation to President Weah.
He also acknowledged the presence of former President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria, who in 2015, displayed a similar commitment to democratic ideals after losing his re-election to the opposition candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.
“I would also like to seize this opportunity to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the people of the Republic of Liberia for the successful conduct of presidential election, widely adjudged to be free, fair and credible.
“Let me also commend my brother and colleague, His Excellency George Weah, for his exemplary leadership and conduct throughout the electoral process.
“By accepting defeat and congratulating his opponent, President Weah has left a legacy to be emulated by politicians in our region and beyond,” he said.
The President also responded to the recent decision by some ECOWAS-member states, under military rule, to float a so-called ‘Alliance of Sahel States’, describing it as distracting and emphasizing the commitment to pursuing ECOWAS integration.
“The phantom pushback Alliance appears intended to divert our attention from our mutual belief in and commitment to democracy and good governance that will impact the lives of our people.
“We refuse to be distracted from pursuing the collective dreams, aspirations, and the noble path of ECOWAS integration as it is laid out in our institutional and legal frameworks.
President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray told the summit that in line with provisions of the ECOWAS protocol, the commission has allowed the countries under military rule access to medical and humanitarian supplies in the interest of the population.
However, Touray said, “reports from humanitarian agencies show that the military authorities have been interfering with humanitarian access.”
He reported that there had been violations of the sanctions imposed on affected countries as there had been a massive movement of cash by individuals across borders and high volume of transit goods through Burkina Faso to reach the territory of Niger and smuggling through porous borders and inland waterways.
The ECOWAS Commission President said that the Commission had signed several financing agreements with development partners including seven agreements with the European Union covering areas of trade, migration, energy and agriculture amounting to 212 million Euros.
The African Union described the commitment of ECOWAS to zero tolerance to unconstitutional change of government as exemplary and said the AU will intensify its collaboration with ECOWAS towards the development of the African Standby Force.
Represented by Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, the African Union reiterated its commitment to promoting collective security and democracy in the region.