ECOWAS Chief Credits Tinubu For Easing West African Tensions

Outgoing President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, has credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with helping to reduce tensions across West Africa.

Speaking with State House correspondents after a farewell meeting with President Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Thursday, Touray described the Nigerian leader as a pillar of stability whose leadership has strengthened regional integration and advanced peace across the subregion.

He said the improvement in the security and political climate in West Africa reflected the President’s commitment to regional leadership and Nigeria’s pivotal role within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

According to him, the progress recorded in reducing tensions across the subregion should be attributed to Tinubu and Nigeria’s sustained leadership.

“If today we are saying West African tensions have gone down, we should give credit to President Tinubu and to Nigeria,” Touray said.

He added that Nigeria had continued to play an indispensable role in promoting stability and cooperation across the region.

“Nigeria’s role in West Africa continues to be extremely important, and I am happy that the President appreciates this role.

“The leaders, including the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and all cabinet members of Nigeria, have played their role wherever they were called upon to lead the region,” he said.

Touray visited the President to formally bid him farewell ahead of the expiration of the tenure of the current ECOWAS Commission management at the end of August.

He explained that the visit also provided an opportunity to express appreciation for Tinubu’s support for the regional bloc during his tenure as President of the Commission.

“As you know, the mandate of the existing ECOWAS management ends at the end of this month, and I’ve had the opportunity to come and bid His Excellency President Tinubu farewell as we prepare to hand over and leave office, and that’s the purpose of my visit to the State House,” he said.

Touray also described Tinubu as a key figure in the affairs of the region, saying his influence extended beyond Nigeria to the broader African continent.

“President Tinubu has been a pillar in the region, and we couldn’t leave without thanking him for the role he has played, and he continues to play, not only for Nigeria but for the entire region and Africa.

“And he’s been gracious to give me this audience, and I will come to bid him farewell,” he added.

Reflecting on their working relationship over the past two years, the outgoing ECOWAS Commission President said he had benefited immensely from Tinubu’s guidance, particularly during the Nigerian leader’s two-term tenure as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.

“I have been humbled by the President’s generosity and openness. I served under him as President of the Commission for two years.

“As you know, President Tinubu served as Chair of the ECOWAS Authority for two terms, and he has demonstrated leadership. He has shown commitment to West Africa’s future and to West African integration.

“So I feel privileged to have this opportunity to work with him, listen to his counsel and his advice,” Touray said.