The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, was sworn-in at the 62nd Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government in Abuja, Nigeria on Sunday, December 4, 2022.
In his inaugural speech, Dr. Touray thanked the Heads of State and Government for the honour bestowed on The Gambia to take the Presidency of the ECOWAS Commission and promised to live to the highest standard of the Office in discharging his responsibilities and duties.
He noted that the new management assumed duties at a critical period with several political, economic and governance challenges in the region.
He added that delivering shared prosperity to the citizens of the community remains the focus point of the new management which is embodied in the Commission’s 4×4 priority objectives namely: Enhanced Peace and Security, Deeper Economic and Social Integration, Good Governance and Leadership and, Inclusive and Sustainable Development which has two enablers: Capable Institutions and Equitable Partnerships. He assured the leaders that the new ECOWAS Commission management will continue the programmes and projects of the previous administration particularly in the areas of reforms and re-organization towards making progress on the ECOWAS Vision 2050.
In his welcome address, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, urged the new management team at the ECOWAS Commission, led by Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, to complete the review and harmonisation of ongoing reforms, aimed at strengthening the sub-regional body.
“The commission must, therefore, work assiduously to complete the review and harmonisation of the Protocols on Good Governance and Democracy, as this would enable our sub-region to sustain our collective efforts to deepen not only democracy but her dividends through good governance to the community citizens.
“Related to this is the urgent need to fully bring into operation, the Regional Action Plan on the Fight Against Terrorism and other acts of criminality in the sub-region, as enhanced safety will sustain national governance efforts that would ensure the growth and progress of our sub-region,” he said.
He thanked the previous administration for their achievements and welcomed the new management of the commission with a promise to support them achieve their strategic objectives.
The statement by the ECOWAS Commission said that the Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government and President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, Mr. Umaro Sissoco Embaló, said in his opening remarks that the new management of the ECOWAS Commission should be steadfast in confronting the numerous challenges facing the sub-region.
The Chairman added that there is an urgent need to steam the waves of unconstitutional changes to democratically elected governments in West Africa while addressing holistically the root causes of agitation and unrest.
He thanked the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, particularly President Buhari for showing leadership in the Community and for committing to safe-guarding democratic norms.
(APA)
