AMBASSADOR TUGGAR WANTS COLLECTIVE EFFORTS IN TACKLING INSECURITY IN WEST AFRICA 06-07-24
By Sadiq Aminu The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has called for unity of purpose among ECOWAS member states in confronting the challenges affecting the region.
He made the call at the opening of the 52nd Session of the Mediation and Security Council at the Ministerial Level in Abuja.
Ambassador Tuggar said it was crucial for all Member States to remain united and work together in solidarity to harness their resources, intelligence, and capabilities to develop comprehensive strategies that would address the region’s security challenges and support efforts to promote economic growth, peace, and political stability.
He also explained that peace operations which include the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau and the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia, as well as the ongoing plans for the deployment of an ECOWAS Stabilisation Mission in Sierra Leone, given recent developments there were part of efforts to secure the region.
The Minister ot Foreign Affairs said that ECOWAS has also been actively addressing humanitarian challenges in the region through coordinated efforts and strategic interventions in Member States.
“Through these interventions, food items and other relief materials have been provided to communities most affected by natural disasters and insecurity.
Also, the President of the ECOWAS Commission said in his speech that the Sahel faces climate and man-made crises, leading to terrorism and violent extremism.
He added that the Gulf of Guinea faces illegal fishing, drug trafficking, and the dumping of toxic waste, thus affecting livelihoods.
“Governance deficits and marginalisation strain social contracts, fostering organised crime, resource competition, and violence.”
In a remark, the special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) Mr Leonardo Simao commended continuous and sustained efforts by ECOWAS towards addressing the challenges facing the subregion.
He said as part of efforts to contribute to a lasting solution to the standoff between ECOWAS and the three Member States, which have indicated their intention to withdraw from the regional bloc, engagements have also been carried out within the framework of addressing security challenges, consolidating democracy and good governance, and promoting development in the sub-region.