Lungi, Sierra Leone – The leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have been encouraged by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. to promote regional integration by converting pledges into real benefits for the people of West Africa through increased trade, better infrastructure, more economic opportunities, and increased peace.
Speaking at the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and the Summit on the Future of Regional Integration in West Africa in Lungi, Sierra Leone, President Boakai stated that the region is in a pivotal moment that calls for solidarity, collaboration, and swift action in tackling new security, governance, and economic issues.
Mr. Boakai expressed gratitude for the cordial hospitality shown to the Liberian team and thanked President Julius Maada Bio, the Sierra Leonean government, and the country’s citizens on successfully hosting the twin summits. Additionally, he praised President Bio for his leadership as the departing Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, characterizing Bio’s tenure as one characterized by a resolute dedication to regional collaboration, peace, and dialogue.
Additionally, President Boakai commended Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, the departing President of the ECOWAS Commission, and the departing Vice President of the Commission for their devoted service during one of the most trying times in the Community’s history. He expressed Liberia’s hope that Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger will eventually rejoin the regional organization and commended Dr. Touray’s efforts to keep lines of communication open with them after they retired from ECOWAS duties.
In addition to congratulating the Federal Republic of Nigeria on accepting the Vice Presidency and the Republic of Senegal on assuming the Presidency of the ECOWAS Commission, the President assured them of Liberia’s complete support in achieving the goals of the regional organization.
Speaking on the future of regional integration, President Boakai stated that ECOWAS needs to go beyond slogans and make sure that integration actually improves the lives of common people. He stated that Liberia is firmly in favor of the Compact for the Future of Regional Integration, stressing that greater peace, increased trade, job creation, better infrastructure, and greater economic resilience should be used to gauge the Community’s performance.
The signing of the Inter-Governmental Agreement creating the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline was welcomed by President Boakai, who called it a transformative project that shows the strength of regional collaboration and group investment in Africa’s future. Additionally, he urged Member States to remove obstacles that still impede regional trade by getting rid of pointless taxes, lowering non-tariff barriers, streamlining border processes, and encouraging the free flow of people, products, and services within the subregion.
President Boakai reiterated Liberia’s dedication to promoting ECOWAS and African goals on the international scene in light of the country’s recent election to the UN Security Council. As crucial pillars for regional stability, he promised Liberia would continue to promote peacebuilding, preventative diplomacy, constitutional governance, conflict resolution, and sustainable development.
Boakai expressed optimism that continued discussions, with the backing of the ECOWAS Commission, would soon result in a peaceful and mutually agreeable resolution, and he commended the progress being made in resolving the border situation between Liberia and Guinea.
Additionally, President Boakai expressed gratitude to ECOWAS members for their faith in Liberia by appointing competent Liberians to important Community institutions. According to him, Liberia humbly accepts the responsibility and is still dedicated to provide the area with honest, competent, and committed service.
Regarding continental solidarity, President Boakai emphasized the need for African peoples to unite and respect one another while joining other African leaders in denouncing recent xenophobic atrocities in South Africa. President Boakai called on West African leaders to uphold the shared wealth, collective security, and togetherness that the founding fathers of ECOWAS envisioned.
President Boakai urged, “Let us seize this moment to strengthen our Community, deepen our unity, and build an ECOWAS that is more resilient, more prosperous, and more responsive to the aspirations of our people.” He stated, “The future of West Africa will not be determined by the challenges we face, but by the courage with which we respond to them.”
Photo credit: Executive Mansion
