Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Alhaji Timothy Musa Kabba, has reaffirmed that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) remains a critical pillar of stability and collective progress in the sub-region.
Speaking on Saturday, December 12, at the close of the 95th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in Abuja, minister Kabba who also serves as Chairman of the Council urged member states to uphold shared regional values and strengthen mechanisms for addressing emerging challenges.
He said the council held extensive deliberations on key security and governance threats, including violent extremism in the Sahel, the spread of small arms and light weapons, transnational organized crime, maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea, unconstitutional changes of government, and the escalating effects of climate change. While acknowledging the gravity of these issues, Kabba stressed they remain surmountable through collective action.
The session also underscored the urgency of advancing regional integration initiatives such as the ECOWAS single currency programme, the free movement of persons and goods, and the establishment of a functional customs union.
Reiterating Sierra Leone’s commitment to the ECOWAS vision, the minister emphasized that democracy, constitutional governance, and the rule of law remain non-negotiable principles. He further expressed his country’s readiness to collaborate with member states in promoting youth employment, sports development, innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable development across West Africa.
He commended council members for their constructive engagement and thanked the ECOWAS Commission and the Government of Nigeria for their support and hospitality. He announced that the council’s recommendations would be submitted to the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government for consideration at its summit scheduled for December 14, 2025.