The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has underscored the need for deepening partnership between ECOWAS countries and the U.S. based on principles of need to bolster their meaningful growth.

Mr Tuggar disclosed this in his opening address during the 54th Ordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council at the ECOWAS Ministerial Level, held on Wednesday in Abuja.

He commended the ministers for their shared commitment towards advancing peace and security across West Africa in the pursuit of the development of the community and lasting well-being of its citizens.

According to him, there is the need for the ministers to collectively consult, collaborate and take decisive action that is vital to fostering peace, security and good governance across the region.

Mr Tuggar said, “There is often a direct correlation between security and prosperity. Sustained prosperity is achieved through trade and investment, devoid of barriers. It would, therefore, be remiss of me if I did not mention the apparent recent decision by the government of the United States to include ECOWAS countries in its visa restrictions. Togo was on an earlier list. This would be most unfortunate if it comes to pass, because we are a region of opportunities ready to do deals.

“We possess critical minerals and rare earths, such as Samarium from Monazite found in Bauchi State. We would like to do deals with the U.S., but visa restrictions are non-tariff barriers to deals. ECOWAS countries and the U.S. have a rare opportunity to create a partnership based on principles of need.”

He described the sub-region as a strategic alternative to more distant and politically divergent energy producers, saying, “we will do deals for our prosperity; the only question is with whom? Also, who takes up the opportunities in our region by allowing government officials and technocrats, business executives and entrepreneurs to travel freely back and forth to close the deals?”

He stated that the session had become significant to promote deliberations on a number of key issues that directly tackled issues about the stability, cohesion and resilience of our region.

He added that the council would be presented with several important memoranda and reports, covering political, security and humanitarian matters during the course of the meeting.

“The ECOWAS Commission and its team will provide a comprehensive analysis of trends and developments in our political landscape, including the transition process in Guinea. The Council will also review essential elements in our efforts to ensure the operational readiness and sustainability of our peace support architecture to consolidate and improve impact on the ground.

“This council will receive a comprehensive update on the Early Warning and Response Centres in our Member States. These centres are essential components of our regional conflict prevention framework,” he said.

He explained that a Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD) had been introduced by the council, in conjunction with the United Nations Development Programme, to confront challenges of democratic governance.

He said the RPD was established between May 15 and May 24, as a template that should be collectively owned and applied within polities, based on the particularities of the respective member states’ polity.

The event was attended by the president of ECOWAS, ministers and members of the mediation and security council, and the vice president of the ECOWAS Commission.

Others include members of the permanent representatives committee, commissioners, heads of institutions and resident representatives. 

(NAN)