Tinubu reveals plans to strengthen ECOWAS Standby Force to Deter Coups, terrorism in African Sub-region
President Bola Tinubu has revealed his intentions to strengthen the ECOWAS standby force in a bid to deter recurring coups in the African continent.
Tinubu, who recently emerged as Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, also revealed that the special force would help combat terrorism in the sub-region.
He made the stance known on Sunday in Nairobi, Kenya while speaking at the Fifth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting (5thMYCM) of the African Union (AU), the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the Regional Mechanisms (RMs), and the African Union Member-States.
Tinubu also cautioned that the era when plundering and exploitation of the continent’s resources were the order of the day was over.
“Plans are on to strengthen the ECOWAS Standby Force to deter coups and combat terrorism in the sub-region,” he stated.
The Nigerian President also highlighted the progress made by ECOWAS in various sectors of its integration process, cutting across trade, free movement of persons, investment promotion, infrastructure development, and security.
In his “Address on the Status of Regional Integration in ECOWAS,” he re-echoed the need for Africa to overcome its challenges and work towards a prosperous future.
He equally highlighted the need to focus on inclusive growth, good governance, while leveraging on the opportunities provided by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Tinubu solicited for good governance to ensure a prosperous future for Africa, free from the exploitations of the past, stressing that: “As Africans, we forge ahead no matter the barriers thrust before us.
“The world we inhabit is often unkind and uncertain. Past history and current global difficulties argue against our future success.
”Lessons of the past few years should teach us that the world economy can be disrupted in ways that halt progress and invite a downturn. Our nations can suddenly find themselves in dire situations if we choose to be passive observers of our fate,” he submitted.