By: Lamin B. Darboe
The Sixty-seventh Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS on 22 June 2025 in Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria, under the chairmanship of H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chair of the Authority in their final communique urges other ECOWAS Member States, who are yet to do so, to contribute troops and police to the two Missions to ease the pressure on current PCCs/TCCs.
They also noted the efforts by the Government of The Gambia to create a budget line to support its Security Sector Reform (SSR) programme and its commitment to implementing the 2017 SSR assessment report.
The authority assessment missions conducted by the Commission on the political, security, and financial impacts of the ECOWAS security missions in The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau noted the impactful contribution of the two Missions in the stabilisation efforts in both Member States.
The Authority expresses its appreciation to the Troops and Police Contributing Countries (TCCs/PCCs) for their continued support to the effective conduct of the ECOWAS Peace Support Operations.
The Authority further notes the continued support of the Missions to the Defence and Security Forces in both countries to curb the security challenges. In this regard, the Authority urges both Host Nations to meet their obligations regarding accommodation, office space, and other logistical support to the Missions.
Given the impactful support of the Missions to the Defence and Security Forces in both countries, the Authority directs the Commission to immediately take steps to readjust the Mandates of both missions (ESSMGB and ECOMIG) to further strengthen their effectiveness.
The Authority decides to extend the mandate of the ESSMGB for eighteen months, and that of ECOMIG for twenty-four months, from the end of their current mandates, as the final extension for both missions. Finally, the Authority directs the Commission to develop an exit strategy, including a drawdown and liquidation plan for both Missions.
On ECOWAS Negotiation Mandate regarding the withdrawal of Burkina
Faso, Mali and Niger from ECOWAS, the Authority endorses the recommendation of the Extraordinary Session of Council with respect to the appointment of a Chief Negotiator to lead the discussions with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger with a view to ensuring an orderly withdrawal process, safeguarding institutional and citizen interests, and minimising regional market disruption.
The Chief Negotiator will be assisted by a Ministerial Troika and the
President of the ECOWAS Commission, along with a technical team and will
work in line with the ECOWAS Negotiation Mandate.
The Authority endorses the offer by the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly to host the Headquarters of the Combined Maritime Task Force in the Gulf of Guinea (CMTF-GoG).