The 300-level International Relations Students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, embarked on a significant visit to the Lagos Liaison Office on 5 June 2024. This visit was a part of their curriculum and a crucial step towards awarding a BSc. (Degree) in International Relations.

Their visit was further motivated by their 2024 field trip theme titled Military Intervention in Politics and the Future of Democracy in West Africa.

The Liaison Office, recognising the importance of this visit to their academic journey, seized the opportunity to educate the students on the crucial role played by the ECOWAS Commission in bringing about economic, social, and political integration, stability and wholesome development in the sub-region, among other vital roles.

A paper was also presented by the Liaison Office highlighting the role ECOWAS has played in putting on check military intervention in the sub-region and the enshrinement of democracy in West Africa.v

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

In 2014, the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government endorsed the machine-readable ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC) as the official travel document to replace the previous hand-written ECOWAS Travel Certificate. This transition was aimed at enhancing safe, secure, and well-organized intra-regional mobility within the ECOWAS region.

In order to promote the ENBIC and facilitate its successful implementation, the ECOWAS Commission initiated advocacy and sensitization campaigns in Member States. These campaigns were aimed at both Community Citizens and Border Officials to educate them about the functionalities and advantages of the Biometric Card. Consequently, six countries have now completed the full deployment of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card. These countries, in the order of their implementation, include Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Ghana, Benin, The Gambia, and Sierra Leone.

The Directorate of Free Movement of Persons and Migration has initiated a fresh sensitization initiative with the primary objective of improving awareness regarding free movement and migration within the ECOWAS region. This campaign also aims to outline the advantages and opportunities associated with the ECOWAS integration agenda. Furthermore, the drive intends to (1) encourage Member States to accelerate the deployment and issuance of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card and (2) support existing advocacy initiatives to ensure a sustained reduction of irregular migration cases among others.

On the 11th of June 2024, a delegation from the ECOWAS Commission conducted an advocacy and a sensitization mission in Praia, Cabo Verde. During this mission, the delegation engaged with representatives from Registry, Notary, and Identification of the Ministry of Justice, as well as members of the Directorate of Foreigners and Borders from the National Police of Cabo Verde, operating under the Ministry of Internal Administration.

Mr. Albert Siaw-Boateng, the Director of Free Movement of Persons and Migration and leader of the delegation, represented Commissioner Mrs. Massandje Toure-Litse for Economic Affairs and Agriculture. The primary objective of the mission he said, was to assess the progress made by the Cabo Verdean authorities towards the deployment of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC) system.

Mr. Juvenal Pereira, President of the Implementation Team of the National Civil Identification and Authentication System of Cabo Verde, informed that his country already possesses a functioning national identification card system. “However, to align with ENBIC standards, a legal review process would be necessary”, he added. He also mentioned that the ultimate decision to adopt ENBIC is political, and he expressed confidence that, should the political decision be made, his team would work diligently to ensure the convergence of Cabo Verde’s National ID card system with the ECOWAS ENBIC model.

The Director of Free Movement reiterated the mission’s goal and urged the Cabo Verdean authorities to commence the deployment of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card within the country. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of boosting the card’s recognition and acceptability from the six Member States that have successfully implemented the ENBIC. Furthermore, he pointed out that Cabo Verde is a signatory to the adoption of the ECOWAS National Biometric ID Card.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The Sahel and West Africa Club’s Policy Steering Group (PSG) met in Paris (France) on 04 and 05 June 2024. The ECOWAS Commission was represented by Mrs Massandjé TOURE-LITSE, Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture. The Commissioner was accompanied by Mr HEMOU P. Dedou, Permanent Representative of ECOWAS in Brussels, Mr Alain TRAORE, Director of Agriculture and Rural Development and Mr DIABATE Bazoumana, Executive Assistant.

During the meeting, members examined the Sahel Club’s 2023 financial report, work programme and 2025-2026 budget, as well as issues relating to intra-regional food trade and conflict networks in West and North Africa. It should be noted that the Policy Steering Group is a decision-making body that defines the strategic orientations and areas of intervention of the Sahel Club in line with the West African regional agenda and the priorities of its members.

On the sidelines of the PSG meeting, and with a view to strengthening cooperation between the West African members of the Sahel Club and the OECD, the representatives of the regional organisations (ECOWAS, UEMOA and CILSS) held working sessions on 6 June 2024 with the OECD Ambassadors, the Deputy Secretary-General of the OECD and the Chairman of the Development Assistance Committee.

During these meetings, the Commissioner highlighted the challenges facing the countries of the region, in particular security, political instability, rapid urbanisation, which has adverse effects on food and nutritional security, and climate change, with the loss of biodiversity. She called on OECD member countries to address these challenges by supporting the region’s efforts to find global and coherent solutions to them.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

At a brief ceremony held in Abuja on Thursday 13 June 2024, Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation handed over cheques totalling almost $2 million to the World Food Programme and the Nigerian Red Cross Society. The funding was made available by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which asked the ministry to coordinate the project.

Professor Fatou SOW SARR, ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, presented the two cheques to representatives of the Federal Ministry at the launch of its flood assistance programme, which was attended by the Nigerian Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the World Food Programme. The cheques were then presented to the Red Cross Society and the World Food Programme respectively.

Professor SARR presented the Nigerian Red Cross with a cheque for 906,205 US dollars, with the aim of reaching 3,500 households in the states of Adamawa, Anambra, Oyo, Kebbi, Kogi and Rivers in Nigeria. It will also dig 12 wells to ensure access to safe drinking water, thereby reducing the risk of water-borne diseases in the selected communities. According to Benson Agbro, Director of Disaster Management at the Nigerian Red Cross, ‘This agreement illustrates our shared commitment to humanitarian principles and the well-being of our citizens. It is a testament to what we can achieve through collaboration and solidarity. Together, we are not just responding to a disaster, we are laying the foundations for a more resilient and prosperous future for our nation”.

Professor SARR was then joined by representatives from the Ministries of Humanitarian Affairs and Foreign Affairs to present a cheque for one million dollars to the Deputy National Director of the World Food Programme, Mr Guy ADOUA. In Mr Adoua’s own words: ‘This partnership will continue to provide essential food, nutrition and resilience building support to communities in Katsina and Sokoto States and strengthen state government institutions and programmes for greater sustainability”.

ECOWAS and the Government of Nigeria have once again demonstrated their unwavering commitment to the well-being of the people with a generous contribution. “Together, we are creating sustainable solutions that will ensure long-term food security and resilience in the region”.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).