In a concerted effort to fortify democratic principles and curb unconstitutional power shifts across West Africa, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio joined fellow Heads of State and Government at the 64th Ordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja.
The summit, a cornerstone for advocating good governance, commenced by highlighting strides made in solidifying democratic values. However, recent challenges such as the thwarted coup in Sierra Leone and upheavals in Guinea Bissau were cited as imminent threats to regional stability.
The leaders unanimously voiced their determination to halt military takeovers, recognizing the peril these actions pose to the hard-earned democratic foundations meticulously laid over the years.
Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, applauded strides made by regional leaders in democratic consolidation while unequivocally condemning the failed coup in Freetown and the turmoil in Bissau. He emphasized the regional body’s unwavering commitment to defending democracy at any cost.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, also chairing the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State, welcomed his counterparts, reaffirming the bloc’s resolute stance against military coups. He assured President Bio of Sierra Leone of ECOWAS’s unwavering support, emphasizing the region’s collective dedication to safeguarding democracy and promoting effective governance.
Recalling the recent failed coup on November 26, President Tinubu reiterated ECOWAS’s solidarity with President Bio and the people of Sierra Leone. A high-level delegation was dispatched to Freetown to articulate the bloc’s position and assure unwavering support for President Bio’s administration.
The summit underscored a unified determination among ECOWAS leaders to uphold democratic norms, signaling a resolute front against any threat posed to the region’s democratic fabric.
