ECOWAS Reaffirms Commitment to Regional Cooperation

Source: Africa Publicity

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has reaffirmed its commitment to regional cooperation as it marked the 50th anniversary of its formation.

On May 28, 2025, ECOWAS commemorated its 50th anniversary in Lagos — the very city where the Treaty of Lagos was signed by 15 West African Heads of State and Government in 1975. That historic treaty laid the foundation for ECOWAS with the mission to promote economic integration across the West African subregion.

Speaking at the celebration on Wednesday, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, says the subregion was facing growing threats of military coups, terrorism, climate change and poverty.

According to him, “We are confronting the greatest challenges we face today, terrorism, climate change and unconstitutional change of government, poverty and economic disparities.”

Terrorism has been on the rise in 2025 in Nigeria and the vast part of the Sahel region, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

Burkina Faso, Mali and Nigeria as well as Guinea have experienced coups in recent years.

More on the anniversary celebration

To mark the milestone, three events were held: a symbolic Re-Enactment and Signing of the Lagos Declaration by the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government in the presence of General Dr. Yakubu Gowon, the only surviving founding father; a Commemorative Ceremony; and a Roundtable Conference titled “ECOWAS, an African Model @50: Resilience and Future Prospects.”

At its formation in 1975, ECOWAS aimed to promote regional economic integration, security cooperation, human rights, and democratic governance.

Present at the celebration were the Presidents of Liberia, Nigeria, Togo, the Foreign Minister of Ghana, among others.