President Bola Tinubu has promised to strengthen democratic values in the West African region following his re-election as the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Tinubu was first elected in July 2023 in Guinea-Bissau and re-elected at the 65th Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government on Sunday in Abuja.
In his acceptance speech after his re-election, the Nigerian president said his leadership will continue to strengthen democracy among member nations of the West African bloc.
“I have accepted to continue the service to the great members and the great minds that are committed to democratic values and our journey in the region,” Tinubu said according to a statement by his spokesman Ajuri Ngelale.
“I will continue to serve our interest and build on democratic values and the structure that we inherited. Thank you very much.”
Tinubu’s first stint as the ECOWAS chair was characterised by coups in the region. Military juntas have taken over power in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic. While the regional bloc imposed sanctions on the countries, these nations left the body and vowed not to return.
But in a move to resolve the crisis, President Tinubu after his re-election appointed the Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, and the President of Togo Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé as Special Envoys to Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic.
“I have appointed the President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, to please become our Special Envoy to Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic, along with the President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbé, to do around-the-clock work with our brothers in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic, and to coordinate with me and the ECOWAS Commission, where necessary,” Tinubu said.
