Nigerian Government and the government of Ivory Coast have called for the repositioning of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in order to achieve the main objectives of the regional organisation.
The two countries made the call during a bilateral meeting between the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama and the Ivorian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kandia Camara, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States.
Speaking after the meeting, Onyeama disclosed issues discussed at the meeting were centered on bilateral relations between Nigeria and Ivory Coast and the reforms in ECOWAS.
Mr. Onyeama stated that the regional organisation is going through a process of reform, noting that Nigeria and Ivory Coast are amongst the big countries in ECOWAS.
“So, we were discussing the various developments that are about to take place and we are just making sure that we are all on the same page to ensure a smooth reform process of the organisation,” Mr. Onyeama said.
Mr. Onyeama also disclosed that during the meeting, the Ivorian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kandia Camara conveyed the message of the President of Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara to President Muhammadu Buhari to reiterate the support of Ivory Coast to Nigeria and welcomed the strong relations and cooperation between the two countries.
He added that Ivory Coast expressed continued to wish and effort for both countries to work together and strengthen ECOWAS and make the process of integration a real one and for it to be, not just integration of the government, but an integration of the peoples of the ECOWAS zone.
Also speaking during another bilateral meeting with Mr. Onyeama, the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya, Ambassador Raychelle Awuor Omamo, expressed the admiration of Kenya towards Nigeria’s role in ECOWAS, particularly the engagement of ECOWAS in situations in Gambia, Mali and currently in Guinea.
“I think you have been able to manage them much, much better than we do in our region. I think you people are much more homogenous in the actions to restore peace and security,” Omamo said.
Omamo further said Kenya was very keen on deepening ties with Nigeria in different sectors which will be mutually beneficial to both countries, while also saying that there was a lot that both countries can learn from each other.
Earlier, the Republic of Algeria, represented by its Foreign Minister, Ramtane Lamamra, also met with the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama and discussed ways of deepening cooperation between Nigeria and Algeria.
On the sidelines of the General Assembly, Mr. Onyeama also met with the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed and discussed areas of collaboration between the United Nations and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
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