• Nigeria Settles ₦85bn Levy, Strengthens Regional Commitment
• Military Rulers Reaffirm Exit as Sahel Tensions Rise
'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) faces its most critical juncture yet, as member states convened for the 66th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja. With regional security under threat from growing jihadist insurgencies and internal fractures from military-led governments, Nigeria has taken a decisive leadership role, settling ₦85 billion in accrued levies to the bloc — a first in 19 years.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, chairing the summit, underscored the urgency for unified action to protect citizens and stabilize the region. "Raising the living standards of our citizens and ensuring their security is a duty we must all fulfill. We cannot falter in the face of these challenges," Tinubu stated, urging cooperation among member states.
A fragmented bloc amid security concerns
The summit comes as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger reaffirmed their irreversible decision to exit ECOWAS by January 2025, citing the bloc's alignment with ex-colonial powers. This development poses significant risks to regional trade, free movement, and joint security operations, especially in combating insurgencies across the Sahel.
The three nations, now allied under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), have pivoted towards Russia for support. Their absence at the Abuja summit and a separate ministerial meeting held in Niger further highlight their growing detachment from ECOWAS.
The bloc's threat of military intervention following the July 2023 coup in Niger, along with sanctions, has deepened tensions. Guinea, another military-led member, has also fallen short of commitments to hold elections by the end of 2024, further straining relations.
Nigeria’s leadership: A beacon of stability
Amidst these fractures, Nigeria has reinforced its commitment to ECOWAS by paying ₦85 billion and $54 million in levies, covering 2023 and part of 2024. ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray hailed this as a landmark gesture under President Tinubu’s leadership.
"For the first time in 19 years, Nigeria has paid 100% of its community levy, underscoring its leadership and dedication to the regional body," Touray said.
Nigeria has also maintained bilateral security cooperation, with its top military commander meeting Niger’s army chief earlier this year to strengthen border security and joint task force operations.
Moving forward amidst uncertainty
The summit also highlighted ECOWAS’s mediation efforts, with Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbe working to rebuild relations with the breakaway states. Faye expressed optimism about progress, emphasizing the shared interest in security and stability.
The regional bloc's cohesion will be pivotal in countering jihadist insurgencies that continue to destabilize the Sahel. As Tinubu urged, ECOWAS must learn from examples of democratic progress in countries like Ghana and Senegal to chart a path forward.
With its leadership and financial commitment, Nigeria remains at the forefront of ECOWAS's efforts to navigate its most challenging period yet, as the region faces a battle not just for territorial integrity but for the very essence of unity and progress.
.jpeg)
