WEST AFRICANS ARE ONE PEOPLE—OUR SHARED HISTORY, CULTURE AND GEOGRAPHY MUST DRIVE A UNITED RESPONSE TO COMMON CHALLENGES” — Dr. Omar Alieu Touray By Raymond Enoch
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, has delivered a strong message of unity across West Africa, urging countries in the region to stand together in addressing the complex challenges facing the Sahel.
Dr. Touray made the remarks at a high-level meeting held on April 18 in Lomé, marking the official launch of the Togolese Republic’s new Sahel Strategy. The event drew participation from representatives of Sahelian states, regional and international organizations, special envoys, and civil society groups.
Speaking at the gathering, the ECOWAS President emphasized the deep-rooted connection among West African citizens, noting that shared geography, culture, and history form a bond that cannot be broken by political or institutional differences. He stressed that this unity must serve as the foundation for collective action in tackling insecurity, economic difficulties, and humanitarian concerns in the Sahel.
The Sahel region continues to face mounting challenges, including instability and socio-economic pressures, making coordinated responses more critical than ever. The newly launched strategy by the Togolese Republic is expected to strengthen regional cooperation and provide a more structured approach to addressing these issues.
On the margins of the meeting, Dr. Touray held a working session with Tatiana Dovgalenko, focusing on ongoing cooperation between ECOWAS and the Russian Federation. Discussions also covered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both parties, which is expected to be signed at a mutually agreed date and venue.
In a significant diplomatic development, Ms. Dovgalenko presented an official invitation from Vladimir Putin to Dr. Touray, inviting him to participate in the 3rd Russia–Africa Summit scheduled to take place in Moscow on October 28–29, 2026.
The invitation underscores growing international engagement with West Africa and highlights ECOWAS’ increasing role in global diplomatic and development conversations. Observers say such engagements could open new opportunities for partnerships in areas such as security, trade, and development.
Dr. Touray’s participation in the Lomé meeting reinforces ECOWAS’ commitment to fostering unity and collaboration among member states. His message was clear: the strength of West Africa lies in its shared identity and collective resolve.
As the region continues to navigate evolving challenges, leaders are expected to build on this call for unity, ensuring that cooperation remains central to efforts aimed at achieving stability and sustainable development across the Sahel and beyond.
