Tinubu: We’re ready to end insecurity in West Africa — funding not a problem

President Bola Tinubu says West African leaders are ready to end terrorism and insecurity in the region.

Tinubu, who doubles as the chairman of ECOWAS authority of heads of state and government, spoke on Tuesday after a meeting with Presidents of the Republic of Benin – Patrice Talon; Guinea-Bissau — Umaru Sissoco Embalo, and Niger Republic — Mohamed Bazoum in Abuja.

The president said security challenges on the west coast have been thoroughly reviewed, noting that a properly-funded strategy would be instituted to tackle terrorism.

Tinubu said each country would fashion out a system to fully realise its objectives of peace and security in the sub-region.

“We have no problems raising funds and we have the instrumentalities to do that,” NAN quoted Tinubu as saying. 

“So, concerning our desire for re-engineering of our own finances, we believe we are capable of raising necessary funds to combat terrorism and insecurity in the region.’’ 

While reading the resolution of the meeting to the press, Omar Touray, ECOWAS commission president, said the leaders reviewed the political and security situations in the sub-region with a focus on the transition in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea.

Touray said the leaders agreed that the transition in the countries must be in accordance with ECOWAS protocols and in line with their individual transition charters.

“Regarding the political situation in the sub-region, the leaders have reviewed the transition in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea,” he said. 

“Regarding the transition in those three countries, the leaders have taken the decision to re-engage the three countries at the highest levels.

“The member of the Troika in the person of his excellency the President of the Republic of Benin will undertake a mission to these three countries on behalf of the heads of state.

“The leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to expeditious transition to democracy in these countries. ECOWAS has resolved to support a credible and inclusive transition in each of these countries.”

On the security situation, Touray said that the leaders resolved to provide a robust regional response to any security threat in the region by putting the ECOWAS plan of action into operation

“The regional response shall include the operationalisation of the ECOWAS plan of action, with the region’s own troops and region’s own financing. Financing from other partners will be welcome.

“Security response shall also include support to individual member states of the region. The response shall also include the use of specific arrangements, such as specific models of peace and security.

“Adequate resources will be provided to the region’s response to peace and security. These are the resolutions and the commitments that the leaders have taken during the close door session.’’