Nigerian President Bola Tinubu chosen as new head of ECOWAS

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has been elected as the leader of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This decision came as heads of state from various West African countries convened at a summit in Bissau, where Tinubu was named as the successor to Guinea-Bissau’s Umaro Sissoco Embalo.

Addressing the gathering, President Bola Tinubu expressed his belief that democracy is the most effective form of government, despite acknowledging the challenges that come with its management. He emphasized the importance of safeguarding democratic principles and pledged to adopt a firm stance against any political coups within West Africa.

Over the past few years, the ECOWAS region has witnessed a series of coups, with Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso experiencing a total of five instances since 2020. Omar Alieu Touray, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, appealed to the ruling juntas in these countries to adhere to the agreed-upon timelines for transitioning power to civilian leaders.

In a related development, the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) made the decision to lift the suspension imposed on Mali earlier this year. This move was prompted by the junta’s commitment to relinquish power within a reasonable timeframe, reversing their earlier intention to maintain control for an extended period.

With Bola Tinubu at the helm of ECOWAS, hopes are high that his leadership will contribute to the strengthening of democratic institutions and the prevention of further political upheavals within the West African region. The international community will be closely observing the progress made under his tenure, as efforts to foster stability and progress continue in this important part of Africa.