ECOWAS Chair Urges Stronger Collaboration To Promote Trade, Peace, Security.
By Ferdinand Olise
The President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Julius Maada Bio, has called for a closer and stronger partnership between the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)
President Bio made the call when the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, paid him a courtesy visit. He welcomed the delegation, and emphasised that the collaboration between the Authority and the ECOWAS Commission will deepen relations with the AES countries, which is fundamental to promoting trade, free movement, enhancing peace and security within the region.
President Bio also pledged his support to democratic transition, and electoral processes within the subregion, highlighting the transition process in Guinea and the forthcoming elections in Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau. He further called for the convening of a Special Summit focused on the future of West African region and the Community at large, after fifty years of cooperation, collaboration, and integration.
Meanwhile, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, provided President Bio with a detailed update on the current status of the Community, noting that the Chairman assumes leadership amid significant challenges facing the subregion.
Dr. Touray briefed the Chairman on the political situation of various Member States, discussed matters concerning the Community Levy, and expressed his commitment to collaborating closely with the Chairman towards regional unity. He also shared updates on various administrative matters, and further assured President Bio that the Commission will shortly implement the decision to deploy an assessment Mission to Sierra Leone, and Guinea as part of ongoing efforts to resolve the Yenga border dispute between Guinea, and Sierra Leone.
Meanwhile, during the visit, the President of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray was received in audience by President Bio.
Dr Touray was in Freetown on a two day working visit, to apprise the new Chair on developments in the region and to seek his guidance on how the Commission can support his vision and mandate over the next one year.
In attendance were the Chief Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and his Deputy, and the Minister of Planning and Economic Development. Dr Touray was accompanied to Freetown by the Chief of Staff, Mr Abdou Kolley, and the Mission was supported by the ECOWAS Resident Representative to Sierra Leone, Ambassador John Azuma.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission also paid courtesy calls, and held meetings with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Planning and Economic Development, and Gender.
