President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to stand together now for the purpose of crushing terrorists, bandits and other criminals that have made life difficult for law abiding citizens of the member countries.
Addressing the 55th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja, Nigeria today, June 29, Buhari said that the recurring incidents of inter-communal clashes, herders-farmers conflicts, banditry and terrorist attacks in African countries have consequences on the peaceful co-existence of the peoples as well as their livelihoods.
“This unrest also undermines all our efforts in achieving full regional integration.
It is, therefore, necessary that we act collectively to end this menace in the interest of regional stability and wellbeing of our people.”
President Buhari commended member States for their sustained commitment to the consolidation of the African integration as a Community.
“I acknowledge and commend the giant strides made by ECOWAS in this regard.
“I also commend our individual and collective efforts towards the promotion of good governance, peace, stability and socio-economic development in our sub-region. We must remain focused on our collective endeavour to make the sub-region an area of peace and security.
“This is an essential prerequisite if we are to attain the primary objective of our organization which is, to “promote cooperation and integration, leading to the establishment of an economic and monetary union in West Africa, in order to raise the living standards of its people and contribute to the progress and development of the African continent.”
