By: Lamin B. Darboe
Just from Abuja
Dr. Omar Alieu Toray was speaking as he presided over the occasion of the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS where he mentioned that on the 28th of May 1975, visionaries from fifteen West African nations came together with one purpose: to forge a path of cooperation, integration, and shared progress for our people. That singular act of courage and commitment gave birth to the Economic Community of West African States—ECOWAS.
“From that moment to this very day, our journey has been defined by resilience, unity, and purpose. Today, we have gathered here to celebrate five decades of regional solidarity, of standing side-by-side through times of hope and hardship, and of building the most integrated Regional Economic Community on the African continent, 2 Dr. Touray stated.
In these five decades he went on, ECOWAS community has made remarkable strides namely: We have facilitated free movement across borders, allowing our people to travel, trade, and connect without barriers. We have advanced intra-regional trade, implemented a Common External Tariff, and developed critical regional infrastructure, linking our capitals and markets. We have laid the groundwork for a single currency, built a regional electricity market, and extended digital connectivity across borders.
According to ECOWAS boss, the community have stood together in the face of epidemics, insecurity, and natural disasters, offering humanitarian support and strengthening healthcare and food systems.
“We have invested in our most valuable resource—our people—by promoting gender equality, youth empowerment, and human capital development. We have upheld democracy, dispatched election observation missions, and deployed our Standby Force in defense of peace and regional stability,” Dr. Touray expressed.
These achievements he said, while significant, are not merely chapters in our history. They are the building blocks of a future that we must continue to shape—together. The challenges we face today—terrorism, climate change, unconstitutional changes of government, poverty, and economic disparities—are formidable.
But so too is our collective will. As I have said, ECOWAS is better and stronger together as a community. Our strength lies in our unity, in our shared identity, and in the spirit of solidarity that defines our Union.
He said this 50th Anniversary is not only a moment for celebration, but it is also a moment for introspection, recalibration, and recommitment.
He called on ECOWAS member countries to recommit to an ECOWAS of the People—where peace, prosperity, and justice are not just ideals, but lived realities to deepening integration, to building inclusive economies, and to advancing the African Continental Free Trade Area through regional leadership.
He also highlighted for member countries to recommit to fostering democracy and good governance, and to defending the rights and dignity of every West African citizen.
As we look to the next fifty years, let us dream boldly and act courageously, adding that the future of ECOWAS must be brighter, greener, more inclusive, and more secure.
“It must be anchored in innovation, in sustainability, and in the unwavering belief that we are indeed stronger together. To our founding fathers, we say thank you. To our Member States, institutions, partners, and citizens, we say: the journey continues. Together, we will build the ECOWAS of tomorrow—an ECOWAS of Peace and Prosperity for All,” ECOWAS President ends.
