Onwuka @60: ECOWAS president says exclusion key driver of insecurity in Africa

The president of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Omar Touray, has identified exclusion as one of the key drivers of insecurity in Africa. He stated this at the occasion to mark the pioneer Chief Protocol of the ECOWAS Commission, Steve Okey Onwuka’s 60th birthday, and the unveiling of his three books. […]

The president of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Omar Touray, has identified exclusion as one of the key drivers of insecurity in Africa.

He stated this at the occasion to mark the pioneer Chief Protocol of the ECOWAS Commission, Steve Okey Onwuka’s 60th birthday, and the unveiling of his three books.

Speaking during his welcome address at the unveiling of the books, held at the ECOWAS Commission, Abuja, on Tuesday, the ECOWAS President, who is also the Chief Host, said, “Africa should establish collaboration and solidarity in the areas of regional security and inclusion.”

“Unless Africa restores its values, it might not address the challenges in the area of insecurity across our region.”

According to him, “We must extend hands of inclusion to those who feel excluded, establish collaboration and solidarity in order to be able to address some of the challenges we are facing as a people.”

“Exclusion is one of the key drivers of insecurity in our society. So, to be able to address the challenges in our society, non-kinetic approaches must be included.”

The books, titled “Africa: Vengeance of the Abandoned”, “The Dialogue: The Vulnerable and the Desperate”, and “Songs of Ogadi”, clearly reflect the extraordinary meditation on leadership, youth, and the continent’s moral regeneration.

“So, my takeaway from the three books is that the whole character indicates African politics and society at the same time. The first is solidarity, and the second is inclusion. Another key takeaway from the book is that unless we restore those values, we might not be able to address the challenges in our society in the area of security.”

Also speaking, the Chairman of the occasion and a former Secretary of the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, while declaring the event open, said ECOWAS’s effort in peacekeeping, integration, and youth development requires consistent political and financial assistance.

=“We must align values, governance, and aspirations of African youth with the goals set in the African Union Agenda 2063, ECOWAS 2050 vision, and the African Union charter on youths,” he said.