President Bola Tinubu has said the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is fully equipped to combat terrorism and other forms of insecurity in the region.
Speaking on Tuesday, Tinubu noted that the bloc faces no trouble raising funds for the same purpose.
“Our community is fully equipped to combat this menace from our region. The matter of raising funds is not a challenge for us, and we have all the tools required,” the president said.
Tinubu told journalists after a meeting at the Aso Rock with Presidents Patrice Talon of Benin Republic, Umaro Embalo of Guinea-Bissau, Mohammed Bazoum of Niger Republic and President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray.
When asked about ECOWAS financial strategy for its anti-terrorism and security campaign, Tinubu, who also serves as chairman of the regional bloc, said, “We have complete confidence in our financial planning and engineering capabilities to secure the necessary resources to tackle terrorism and insecurity.”
The West African leaders also examined the political and security climate in the region during their meeting, particularly focusing on political transitions in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, as well as overarching security issues in the region.
On his part, the ECOWAS Commission President shared the resolutions from the meeting with journalists, revealing that President Talon of Benin was set to visit the three West African countries — Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea — soon, representing the Authority of Heads of State and Government.
Touray said: “Regarding the political situation in the sub-region, the leaders have reviewed the transition in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea. Regarding the transition in those three countries, the leaders have taken the decision to re-engage the three countries at the highest level.”
