The Chairperson of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, Shirley Botchwey while Speaking at the 87th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in Abuja on Thursday explained that the implementation of the Economic Community of West African States plan of action have the capacity to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria, end terrorism in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
Speaking further, Botchwey said the action plan is achievable if all the Member states work together on the various challenges facing the sub-region. She added that the prospects for success are significantly enhanced and would create the conditions for a thriving region.
Botchwey also argued that the community needed to build resilience and advance regional integration.
According to her, driving the ongoing internal reforms would help with the new ECOWAS Vision 2050 which has been finalised and is ready for adoption.
The chairperson stated, “To advance our regional integration agenda and transform the lives of Community citizens, we need to continue to build resilience and enhance our integration programme.
“This is particularly necessary with respect to the following threats: the health crisis of the coronavirus which persists and has completely changed our way of life. With the new variant and the risk of a new wave and several countries closing their borders, we must rely more than ever on our regional solidarity.
“The recurrence of terrorist attacks in the frontline countries of the Sahel (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Nigeria) with its many victims and to which the response at this time is the diligent implementation of our plan of action against terrorism to support and complement national efforts.”
