The President of ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray has stressed the importance of having a regional framework for intelligence sharing and regional kinetic force as no littoral State is safe from the onslaught of terrorist groups, urging the Mediation and Security Council (MSC) to prevail on Member States to hasten funding for financing the activation of the regional counterterrorism force.
This appeal came even as the Chair of Council and Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Maitama Tuggar maintained that coming together to consult, collaborate and take decisive action remains vital to advancing peace, security and good governance across the region.
The duo spoke at the ongoing 54th Ordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council (MSC) at the Ministerial Level in Abuja on Wednesday.
“As you will see in the report of the missions of the Special Envoy on Counterterrorism, no littoral State is safe from the onslaught of terrorist groups, particularly in the absence of a regional framework for intelligence sharing and regional kinetic force.
“Meanwhile, the demand by Member States to carry out an assessment of the impact of our proposed fund mobilisation strategy for financing the activation of the regional counterterrorism force on their economies has delayed this process.
We would, therefore, respectfully crave the indulgence of this August body to critically examine this matter by considering the potential and actual cost of inaction to counter the terrorist menace on our economies and on the wellbeing of our citizens,” Touray said.
The ECOWAS President said the region is making progress in strengthening the regional peace and security architecture.
“In this regard, we will be presenting to you the memoranda on the ECOWAS Standby Force Logistics Concept and the ECOWAS Logistics Depot Policies; the Supplementary Act relating to the West African Police Information System (WAPIS) Regional Platform; updates on the establishment of National Early Warning and Response centres, responses to the humanitarian situation in the region, as well as the implementation of measures against money laundering and financing of terrorism in the region.
“These memoranda outline the key activities of the institutions on strengthening further the instruments of our response to peace and security challenges in region,” he said.
On the exit of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, Touray said the commission has successfully changed the narrative, after some difficult time over the last two years.
“We have started direct talks towards safeguarding the community achievements and building a realistic, fruitful future cooperation in various areas including security and development.
“We have improved our communication to mitigate the effects of mis and dis information and have put in place mechanisms to project our views to the world.
“This is significant as fake news has contributed to the complications of our security and political environment in recent years,” the ECOWAS President stressed.
On his part, Amb Tuggar reeled out the benefits of the Inter-Governmental Action Plan Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) in addressing the menace of illicit financial flows, money laundering, and terrorism financing.
“The humanitarian challenges facing our region, ranging from forced displacement, food insecurity, and climate related vulnerabilities to health and protection concerns, demand not only our attention but our coordinated action.
“As we strengthen our peace and security responses, we must also uphold our responsibility to protect and support the most vulnerable among us.”
The minister also spoke of the Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD), as one the measure towards addressing democratic governance challenges facing the region, calling on member states to own it to succeed.
“As Chair of this august body as well as the Ministerial Council, I have introduced a Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD), in conjunction with the United Nations Development Programme.
“It is a strategic initiative designed to confront challenges of democratic governance by addressing factors undermining democracy in order to make sure democracy works and delivers for the peoples of West Africa.
It is a template that we should collectively own and apply within our polities, based on the particularities of our respective polities. We urge you to take ownership,” the minister said.
He outlined some of the tasks before 54th MSC Ordinary Session as,; “During the course of our meeting, this Council will be presented with several important memoranda and reports, covering political, security, and humanitarian matters.
“The Commission and its team will provide a comprehensive analysis of trends and developments in our political landscape, including the transition process in the Republic of Guinea, as well as updates on the preparations for Presidential and Parliamentary elections in two of our member states at the last quarter of the year.”