President Bola Tinubu’s tenure as the chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government concludes today. The transition of leadership is taking place at the 65th Ordinary Session of the Authority, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. President Tinubu, who was unanimously endorsed as chairman in July 2023 during the 63rd Ordinary Session in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, will pass on the torch to a new leader.
Throughout his tenure, President Tinubu has navigated significant challenges, particularly military coups in several member states. He initially adopted a firm stance against unconstitutional changes of government in Niger Republic, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea, leading the imposition of sanctions on these countries. These measures aimed to uphold democratic principles and stability within the region.
However, recognizing the complexity of the issues and the need for a more sustainable solution, ECOWAS, under Tinubu’s leadership, later opted for a more diplomatic approach. The sanctions were lifted as the sub-regional body sought peaceful resolutions to the political crises in the affected countries.
As ECOWAS moves forward, the incoming chairman will inherit the ongoing challenges and the responsibility to continue fostering stability and democratic governance across West Africa. President Tinubu’s efforts have set a precedent for a balanced approach between firmness and diplomacy in addressing regional issues.
