ECOWAS targets stronger preventive diplomacy Mechanism
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is set to reposition its “Council of the Wise” to play a more effective role in preventive diplomacy, as the region grapples with increasing political, security, and geopolitical challenges.
The Council of the Wise is made up of respected former leaders, diplomats, and eminent personalities appointed to support the regional bloc in maintaining peace and security.
At the opening of its third retreat in Accra yesterday, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, said although the Council had played key back-door roles in resolving conflicts, more needed to be done to fully utilise its expertise.
“You have provided the back-channel diplomacy essential for our stability, but I think ECOWAS could have done a lot more to engage you in our preventive diplomacy actions, and that is one of the main reasons for this meeting,” he said.
Council of the Wise and former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, commended members for their work since the Council’s inauguration in 2021.
Ambassador Musah (seated third from left) with other dignitaries at the opening ceremony
He explained that the retreat would assess the obstacles to the effective deployment of the Council and propose measures to strengthen its role in building a safer and more united sub-region.
Ambassador Musah highlighted growing challenges in the region, including the withdrawal of some member states, rising terrorism, border tensions, and the spread of misinformation.
He stressed the need to leverage the experience of the Council to address these threats early before they escalate.
He disclosed that ECOWAS was undertaking broader reforms, including ongoing citizen consultations and the development of a draft compact on the future of regional integration, to be considered by Heads of State in May this year.
According to him, the outcomes of the retreat would contribute to repositioning the Council as a key instrument in the sub-region’s peace and security architecture.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Chairperson of the ECOWAS Council said:
“Since our inauguration, we have navigated a landscape of unprecedented political volatility. We have participated in mediation efforts, election observation missions and engaged in quiet diplomacy that often happens far from the cameras.”
Mr Jonathan urged members to remain committed to promoting peace and stability in the sub-region.
A member of the Council from Sierra Leone, Haja Alari Awaantu Cole, said the meeting would review the work of the Council and propose measures to strengthen peace and security efforts in the region.
This year’s retreat is on the theme: ‘Fostering the Effectiveness of the ECOWAS Council of the Wise.’
The two-day meeting is expected to produce a roadmap to strengthen mediation and early conflict response mechanisms, as well as review findings from a 2025 study which identified administrative and logistical gaps affecting the Council’s rapid response to crises in West Africa.
BY ABIGAIL ANNOH
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