President BOLA TINUBU has addressed African leaders on the status of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), highlighting the progress so far made by the West African economic bloc and the prevailing challenges.

President TINUBU who is the Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government presented the achievements of ECOWAS in the past one year at the Sixth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union in Accra, Ghana.

The President said ECOWAS has been supporting member states to enhance electoral and governance processes, and recently deployed Election Observation Missions to Senegal and Togo.

On economic integration, he said ECOWAS has implemented activities to consolidate the free trade area, customs union, and common market.

Detailing the efforts on the humanitarian and social development front, President TINUBU said ECOWAS has allocated 9 million dollars to assist persons of concern, including refugees, internally displaced persons, and asylum seekers.

However, the President noted that the bloc faces multiple threats, including member states withdrawing, geopolitical rivalries, terrorism, food insecurity, and the spread of misinformation and disinformation.

He added that ECOWAS has activated a Standby Force to counter terrorism and will continue to explore funding options.