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Outgoing ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray says President Tinubu’s leadership has been instrumental in easing political tensions and strengthening stability across the West African subregion.
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Touray praises Nigeria for consistently providing diplomatic leadership, mediation and strategic support to ECOWAS during periods of political uncertainty and security challenges.
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He commends Tinubu’s administration and Nigeria’s foreign affairs team for advancing regional integration, democratic governance and collective responses to crises.
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The farewell visit comes as the current ECOWAS Commission leadership prepares to leave office at the end of August after overseeing one of the bloc’s most turbulent periods.
August 07, (THEWILL) — Outgoing President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, has paid glowing tribute to President Bola Tinubu, describing him as a stabilising force in West Africa whose leadership has helped defuse political tensions, strengthen regional diplomacy and reinforce the ideals of integration across the subregion.
Touray made the remarks on Thursday after a farewell audience with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, ahead of the expiration of the tenure of the current ECOWAS Commission management at the end of August.
The outgoing ECOWAS Commission President said Nigeria had remained the backbone of the regional bloc, noting that many of the successes recorded in promoting peace, dialogue and cooperation across West Africa were made possible by the country’s unwavering commitment under Tinubu’s leadership.
According to him, the Nigerian President consistently demonstrated the political will and diplomatic resolve required to steer the region through some of its most difficult moments.
Touray said whenever ECOWAS required decisive leadership to address political crises or regional challenges, Nigeria was always prepared to shoulder its responsibilities.
He noted that Tinubu, alongside key officials of his administration, consistently supported initiatives aimed at preserving peace, resolving disputes and strengthening cooperation among member states.
Touray praised Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and other members of the Federal Executive Council for their active roles in advancing ECOWAS’ peacebuilding and diplomatic engagements.
Describing Tinubu as a pillar of regional stability, Touray said his influence extended beyond Nigeria’s borders, helping to shape important decisions affecting the future of West Africa and the African continent.
“I could not leave office without personally expressing my appreciation to President Tinubu for his remarkable support to the ECOWAS Commission and his unwavering commitment to regional integration”, Touray stated.
Reflecting on their two years of collaboration, the outgoing Commission President described Tinubu as accessible, generous with advice and deeply committed to the prosperity and stability of the West African subregion.
He added that he was privileged to have worked closely with the Nigerian leader, benefitting from his guidance and strategic counsel throughout his tenure.
Touray also recalled Tinubu’s service as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, saying the President consistently championed stronger cooperation, democratic governance and economic integration among member states.
The outgoing ECOWAS chief said Tinubu’s leadership had reinforced Nigeria’s longstanding position as the region’s leading political and diplomatic power.
He stressed that the President continued to play a vital role in promoting consensus among member states, encouraging dialogue during periods of political uncertainty and supporting initiatives designed to preserve constitutional order across the subregion.
According to Touray, Nigeria’s contributions to ECOWAS have remained indispensable, both financially and diplomatically, enabling the organisation to respond effectively to emerging regional threats.
Background
Tinubu assumed the chairmanship of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in July 2023, at a time the regional bloc was grappling with one of the most difficult periods in its history. West Africa was confronted with a succession of military coups in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, worsening terrorist attacks, political instability, democratic backsliding and strained relations among member states.
Under Tinubu’s leadership, ECOWAS intensified diplomatic engagements aimed at restoring constitutional governance, preventing further instability and strengthening regional security cooperation. While the bloc faced setbacks, including the eventual withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, Nigeria continued to serve as ECOWAS’ largest financial contributor and its most influential political actor, leading mediation efforts and supporting initiatives to preserve regional unity.
Touray’s farewell remarks are therefore seen as a significant endorsement of Tinubu’s stewardship of regional affairs and Nigeria’s enduring leadership within ECOWAS. His comments also underscore the country’s strategic importance in shaping the future of West Africa through diplomacy, economic integration, democratic governance and collective security as the regional organisation prepares for a new leadership at the end of August.
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