The President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Omar Touray, has expressed disappointment over the reluctance of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to rejoin the regional bloc.
Speaking at the 92nd Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers on Thursday, Touray noted that despite ECOWAS’ efforts to engage these countries, they have not responded positively.
He suggested a Special Summit to address the broader changes in the international system impacting member states, including governance, external relations, and the influence of new technologies and social media.
Touray also raised concerns about ECOWAS’ financial health, stating that increasing demands and complex challenges are straining resources. He called for urgent and decisive action to improve financial stability through better Community Levy mobilisation.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, echoed these concerns, emphasizing the need to address various pressing issues, including the 2024 ECOWAS mid-year report, financial updates, and the outcomes of recent audit meetings.
The session aims to address the challenges facing the regional bloc and find solutions to improve its financial situation and reintegrate the withdrawn member states.
