The Nigerian Leader and Chair of ECOWAS, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will leverage the upcoming African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to reinforce his position on regional stability.
He will also update the continental body on recent developments in West Africa.
Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Sunday Dare, made this known to State House Correspondents on Wednesday while speaking on President Tinubu’s participation in the 28th summit of the head of states and government of the African Union.
High-level discussions
Mr Dare said the summit would present strategic opportunity for President Tinubu as Chairman of ECOWAS, to engage in high-level discussions and bilateral meetings.
The Presidential aide also said that “one to two out of the three West African nations that withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are currently making efforts to reconnect with the regional body.”
Mr Dare said; “the countries are currently taking advantage of the six-month window period provided by ECOWAS to reconsider their decision before the official exit process is concluded.”
He further revealed that the countries are making efforts to reconnect with the regional bloc.
“We know that the January 29 deadline has expired, and the process of their departure is almost concluded. But we also know for a fact that one or two of these countries are trying to reach back and take advantage of the six-month window,
“At the AU Summit in Addis Ababa, the Chairman of ECOWAS will have an opportunity to brief the continental body, and of course, some of these countries will also be there. So, there will be a lot of high-level and bilateral meetings,” he noted.
Importance
Mr. Dare emphasised the importance of President Tinubu’s attendance at the 46th Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council and the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of AU Heads of State and Government, extending beyond just ECOWAS matters.
He characterised Nigeria as a crucial participant in the African Union, highlighting President Tinubu’s role in influencing continental policies.
“The AU is the foremost continental body, and Nigeria plays a crucial role. Our President is a powerful voice within the AU and, as ECOWAS Chairman, has demonstrated strong leadership, particularly in managing regional security and diplomatic challenges,” he stated.
Appointment
Another major highlight of the AU Summit, according to Mr Dare, is the expected appointment of a Nigerian as a Commissioner on the AU Peace and Security Council, a move he described as a key achievement of President Tinubu’s foreign policy initiatives.
“The AU Peace and Security Commission is critical, and having a Nigerian on that body is a significant milestone. It is one of the gains of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s foreign policy efforts,” he said.
The Presidential aide stressed the importance of Nigeria’s support and President Tinubu’s endorsement on the emergence of the next President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), saying “it is crucial to the succession of any other candidate.
“The AfDB presidency is a contested position. A Nigerian currently holds it, and as he rounds off, another candidate will have to emerge. It will be difficult for anyone to get that position without Nigeria’s support and without President Tinubu’s endorsement.
“The AU meeting is always big—it’s the UN General Assembly. Every September, world leaders converge in New York; in the same way, the AU Summit in Addis Ababa is a key diplomatic event. President Tinubu will be leading Nigeria’s delegation, and we expect a highly productive summit,” Mr Dare added.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
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