Abuja, July 18, 2023 – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has said it has no challenge raising financial resources to combat terrorism and other forms of insecurity within its territories.
President Bola Tinubu, Chairman of the ECOWAS’ Authority of Heads of State and Government, gave the assurance on Tuesday after a meeting of three leaders of West African countries held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting, had President Patrice Talon of Benin Republic, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau; President Mohammed Bazoum of Niger Republic; as well as Dr Omar Touray, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, in attendance.
Responding to a question on how the ECOWAS Commission hoped to fund its avowed campaign against terrorism and other forms of insecurity within its region, President Tinubu said the countries within the community have the means and wherewithal to fight the menace out of their region.
“We have no problem raising funds and we have all the instrumentalities to do that.
“So concerning our design and engineering of our own finances, we believe we’re capable of raising necessary funds to combat terrorism and insecurity in the region”, he said.
Meanwhile, the West African leaders, during their meeting, reviewed the political and security situations within the sub-region, especially the political transition issues in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, as well as the security concerns across entire region.
