Minister Tuggar: ECOWAS to Upgrade Conflict Early Warning Systems By Umar Farouk Bala
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has announced that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is set to upgrade its early warning and response systems to address emerging security threats across the sub-region.
He made this known during his opening address at the 54th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council at Ministerial Level, held on Wednesday, in Abuja.
Tuggar emphasized the urgent need for deeper collaboration among ECOWAS member states and renewed partnership with the United States to advance regional peace, security, and sustainable development.
According to him, “There is often a direct correlation between security and prosperity. Sustained prosperity is achieved through trade and investment, devoid of barriers.”
He lamented recent reports of potential visa restrictions by the U.S. government on all ECOWAS countries, describing such measures as “non-tariff barriers to deals” and counterproductive to the region’s economic aspirations.
“This would be most unfortunate if it comes to pass, because we are a region of opportunities ready to do deals,” he stated.
Highlighting the region’s vast resources and strategic advantage, Tuggar pointed out that ECOWAS possesses critical minerals such as Samarium from Monazite in Bauchi State.
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“We will do deals for our prosperity; the only question is with whom?” he queried. He urged the U.S. to take up the opportunity by easing travel restrictions for ECOWAS officials, technocrats, and entrepreneurs to enable mutually beneficial engagements.
The minister further called for decisive action, collective consultation, and unity among ECOWAS ministers to foster security, good governance, and resilience in the region.
Tuggar revealed that the session would deliberate on key political, humanitarian, and security issues.
“This Council will receive a comprehensive update on the Early Warning and Response Centres in our Member States. These Centres are essential components of our regional conflict prevention framework,” he said.
He noted that the ECOWAS Commission would present critical memoranda and reports, including updates on political transitions, especially in Guinea, as well as efforts to ensure the operational readiness of ECOWAS’ peace support architecture.
According to him, the regional body has also introduced a new initiative—the Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD)—in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
He described the RPD as a collective framework designed to strengthen democratic governance, tailored to the specific political contexts of member states.
The session was attended by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, ministers and members of the Mediation and Security Council, the Vice President of the Commission, members of the Permanent Representatives Committee, ECOWAS Commissioners, and Resident Representatives.
Umar Farouk Bala is a serving NYSC corps member serving at PRNigeria Centre Abuja. He can be reached at: [email protected]
