NEW AMBASSADORS PLEDGE TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN THE COOPERATION AND RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THEIR COUNTRIES AND ECOWAS.
By Raymond Enoch
In a significant diplomatic moment for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), eight new ambassadors presented their letters of accreditation to the President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, Monday, February 24, 2025, at the i headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria.
The move marks a renewed commitment to enhancing the relationship and cooperation between their respective nations and ECOWAS.
The new ambassadors are the head of the European Union delegation, Gautier Mignot; Marc Fonbaustier, representing France; Mrs. Sanna Selin, representing Finland; Francisco Edu Ngua Mangue, representing Equatorial Guinea; Pankyu Kim, representing South Korea; Hocine Mezoued, representing Algeria; Dr. Julius Sandy, the High Commissioner of Sierra Leone; and Archbishop Michael Crotty, the Permanent Representative of the Holy Sea.
As the new ambassadors presented their credentials, they each pledged to contribute to the continued success of ECOWAS and to strengthen their countries’ ties with the regional body.
In his remarks, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray congratulated the ambassadors on their appointments and warmly welcomed them to the ECOWAS headquarters.
“The trust that your nations have placed in you is significant. I assure you that the ECOWAS Commission stands ready to work closely with you to advance the shared goals of regional stability, economic integration, and socio-political cooperation,” President Touray remarked during the presentation ceremony.
The President took the opportunity to review the current state of relations between ECOWAS and the respective countries of the ambassadors.
He noted that despite challenges faced in the region, the partnerships with these countries had been instrumental in pushing for positive change and furthering the integration of West Africa.
The ambassadors themselves expressed optimism about the prospects for enhanced cooperation with ECOWAS, each highlighting the importance of their role in facilitating economic growth and regional stability. They also emphasized the need for greater collaboration on issues such as trade, security, and development, stressing that West African integration could only be achieved through concerted efforts.
“We recognize the pivotal role of ECOWAS in fostering peace, democracy, and development in West Africa. We are committed to doing our part in ensuring that these efforts continue to succeed,” said Marc Fonbaustier, the Ambassador of France.
The new ambassadors’ credentials ceremony is expected to deepen diplomatic ties and enhance collaborative efforts in regional governance. ECOWAS, founded to promote economic integration and political stability within West Africa, will undoubtedly benefit from the fresh perspectives and initiatives brought by these new diplomatic representatives.
With the formal exchange of credentials, the stage is now set for greater collaboration and stronger alliances between ECOWAS and the represented nations, as the region continues to navigate its evolving challenges and opportunities.
This event underscores the growing importance of West Africa on the global stage and reflects the ECOWAS Commission’s continued dedication to fostering international relations that support the region’s long-term prosperity.
