Global uncertainty, Sahel insecurity threaten ECOWAS vision 2050 — Touray

File: ECOWAS President, Omar Touray

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The Economic Community of West African States faces growing obstacles to achieving its Vision 2050 goals as global uncertainty, regional insecurity, and economic pressures reshape the sub-region, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, said on Sunday.

Addressing the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja, Touray warned that long-term plans for integration, peace, and prosperity are being tested by forces beyond the bloc’s control.

He cited the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in the Sahel, pressure on multilateral institutions, and intensifying competition over partnerships and new technologies as major constraints on the region’s development ambitions.

“These trends are forcing West African countries to make difficult choices that could affect regional unity,” the Gambian diplomat said.

Touray added that the rise of a multipolar global order and weakening commitment to multilateralism are complicating cooperation frameworks that ECOWAS has traditionally relied upon.

He explained, “The attainment of ECOWAS Vision 2050 is today impacted by changes in the global landscape and dynamics within the sub-region.

“The challenge to multilateralism, the rise of multipolarity, and the pressure on African countries to make choices about partnerships, new technologies, and the entrenchment of terrorism and violent extremism in the Sahel, among others, have a profound effect on our ability to attain the 2050 vision objectives.

“The Summit on the Future will be about the revitalisation of our integration process.”

Security challenges, Touray said, continue to divert resources and attention away from development priorities.

He referenced recent political instability in the region, noting that ECOWAS has had to respond swiftly to protect constitutional order.

“Events of the last few weeks have shown in concrete terms what regional solidarity means in ECOWAS. First, it was Guinea-Bissau, where peaceful and transparent elections were torpedoed by military intervention with the facilitation of political actors.

“The regional response has been measured, but firm, and the swift action of our heads of state shows their commitment to democratic values and stability in the region. Then came the unfortunate attempted coup in the Republic of Benin, which met with a swift and resolute action of ECOWAS led by the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

Beyond security, Touray said economic integration remains central to the Vision 2050 agenda, but progress must accelerate.

He announced that ECOWAS is moving ahead with the operationalisation of the ECOWAS Business Council to mobilise regional capital and strengthen intra-regional investment.

“We must therefore give preference to our regional private sector actors, support and encourage them,” he said.

Touray confirmed that businessman Aliko Dangote has agreed to serve as the pioneer chair of the council, which is expected to serve as a platform for dialogue between governments and the private sector.

He said increased intra-regional investment would be critical to boosting trade and reducing dependence on external markets.

He also pointed to a series of recent investment forums held across member states and said the ECOWAS Authority had directed the commission to organise a West African Economic Investment Summit.

“Hopefully, in the nearest future, we will be having our Davos Summit-like platform for our Community,” he said.

According to Touray, many of these issues will be central to discussions at the planned Summit of the Future, which he said would focus on revitalising the ECOWAS integration process in light of current realities.

Despite the mounting challenges, Touray said the bloc must remain focused on its long-term vision.

“The future is bright for our sub-region, despite today’s challenges,” he said, calling for renewed commitment from member states to secure the region and advance shared prosperity.

West Africa is facing escalating political instability and security challenges, with several ECOWAS member states experiencing coups, attempted coups, and fragile political transitions.

Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso remain under military-led administrations, while Guinea-Bissau recently joined this group following a military intervention.

Last Sunday, an attempted coup in the Benin Republic was foiled, further highlighting the fragility of democratic governance across the region.

The PUNCH journalist, Gift, has over three years of experience covering elections, security and foreign affairs.

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