… Appoints Senegal’s President, Faye, Special Envoy to discuss with Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was on Sunday, July 7 re-elected to serve another year as Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Tinubu was first elected to the position in Guinea-Bissau on July 9, 2023.
President Tinubu was re-elected during the 65th Ordinary Session of the Authority, held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja,.
In his first statement, he appointed the President of Senegal, Bassirou Faye, as Special Envoy of the ECOWAS Commission, alongside President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo, to mediate with the leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic.
The three countries had
announced their withdrawal from the ECOWAS earlier in the year.
Speaking at the end of the 65th Ordinary Session of the Authority, President Tinubu accepted the task of his re-election, promising to serve with is utmost best.
In his acceptance speech, President Tinubu said he will continue to work with other elements within the continue to sustain the democratic values and structures of the community.
“I have appointed the President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, to please become our Special Envoy to Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic, along with the President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbé, to do around the clock work with our brothers in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic, and to coordinate with me and the ECOWAS Commission, where necessary.
“I have accepted to continue the service to the great members and the great minds that are committed to democratic values and our journey in the region.
“I will continue to serve our interest and build on democratic values and the structure that we inherited. Thank you very much,’’ the President said.
President Tinubu had earlier called on Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS to work towards the establishment and sustenance of a regional standby force for the security and economic advancement of the community.
The President emphasized the expediency of a standby force in the face of growing security threats in the region