The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have been urged to reduce the bloc’s dependence on foreign donors and prioritise the effective mobilisation of internal resources.
The call came during the 37th Ordinary Meeting of the Administration and Finance Committee (CAF) in Abuja on Sunday, where senior ECOWAS officials warned that the evolving global order and recent member withdrawals demand a more self-reliant and resilient regional strategy.
Damtien Tchintchibidja, Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, urged member states to embrace deep institutional, political, and security reforms as the West African bloc grapples with mounting internal challenges and a shifting regional landscape.
Speaking at the meeting, Tchintchibidja acknowledged the significance of the meeting, with the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS and comes on the heels of the official withdrawal of three member states.
Though not named in her address, the departing countries, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger had earlier announced their exit from the regional body, sparking widespread concern over ECOWAS’s cohesion and future.
“This meeting takes place within a dual context. It is a moment of celebration of our 50th anniversary and, at the same time, a period marked by the official withdrawal of three Member States. We must work together to safeguard the gains of five decades of integration”, she noted.
Tchintchibidja expressed appreciation to the Federal Republic of Nigeria for hosting the session and acknowledged the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, who also serves as Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
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She lauded the CAF for its pivotal role in safeguarding procedures and driving policy decisions within the ECOWAS institutional framework.
She further disclosed that the ECOWAS Commission would brief committee members on urgent matters including mid-term programme performance, worsening financial constraints, and ongoing institutional recruitment challenges.
The bloc, she warned, is facing an “existential crisis” that requires bold reforms and renewed solidarity among its remaining members.
“Our organisation is at a crossroads. We must demonstrate a strong capacity to overcome our challenges and stay united. The strength of ECOWAS lies in our solidarity and our shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region”, she said.
As part of ECOWAS’s forward-looking agenda, Tchintchibidja announced plans for a “Summit on the Future of the Community,” which will engage women, youth, and other key stakeholders to shape a new roadmap for the region.
She also commended the foreign ministers of Ghana and Nigeria for their efforts in coordinating the Golden Jubilee celebrations recently held in Accra and Lagos.
Meanwhile, Nazifi Darma, Commissioner for Internal Affairs, echoed the Vice President’s concerns, urging member states to rethink their dependency on foreign assistance and prepare for a future of reduced external support.
He warned that new geopolitical shifts and waning donor interest may force the region to become more self-reliant.
“We must intensify efforts to utilize our internal resources effectively,” he stressed. “We must have contingency strategies in place to ensure sustainability even in the absence of international aid.”
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In a show of institutional pride, Darma also praised the professionalism of his protocol and procurement teams for ensuring the smooth conduct of the meeting, highlighting even the high-quality sound system as symbolic of ECOWAS’s preparedness to evolve.
Olawale Awe, CAF Chairman also emphasized two key concerns, compliance by member states and the staffing of ECOWAS institutions.
He acknowledged the significant implications of recent withdrawals, noting that they send a strong signal about the fragility of regional integration.
On the issue of staffing, Awe called for the fast-tracking of recruitment processes, particularly in light of the personnel vacuum created by the withdrawal of the three countries.
He urged the Commission to act in line with a 2018 Council decision and take into account staff who had been certified as having career potential.
“The situation of affected staff needs to be handled with compassion. This is the spirit of the ECOWAS Golden Jubilee, which we are all celebrating”, Awe said.
He congratulated member states on the milestone and called for deep reflection on ECOWAS’s journey, achievements, and the critical work that lies ahead in sustaining regional peace, integration, and economic development.
The 37th Ordinary Meeting of the Administration and Finance Committee, he said, is expected to shape several key decisions ahead of the next summit of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.
