President Bola Tinubu has urged Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) leaders to prioritise a collective approach against the security challenges in the region.
Tinubu spoke in Abuja on Sunday during the 67th ordinary session of the ECOWAS authority of heads of state and government.
The president said the security threats within the region are “transnational and driven by a dangerous network that respects no borders”.
He said no single country in the region can tackle its security challenges alone and expressed concern over the slow pace of activation of the ECOWAS standby force.
“No single nation can therefore address these challenges alone. We must strengthen coordination, amplify political will, and prioritise a collective approach to security,” Tinubu said.
“I am a little bit worried about the slow pace of its activation, which is taking longer than desired.
“We must act decisively to operationalise the ECOWAS standby force in the fight against terrorism to serve as an instrument for peace and stability for our region.”
The president said ECOWAS is ready to welcome back Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic into the regional body after their exit.
He added that the region’s greatest asset is the youths, noting that they must be protected against extremist groups and criminal syndicates.
“Under my chairmanship, I have deployed all diplomatic means to engage and dialogue with our brothers in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger,” Tinubu said.
“I am confident that before too long, they may return to the family as we leave our doors open for the unity, solidarity, and shared vision of the ECOWAS of the future”.
