President Bola Tinubu says the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is committed to upholding good governance and combating terrorism.

President Tinubu stated this in Beijing, China while addressing a high-level meeting on peace and security at the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Tinubu said ECOWAS remains deeply committed to upholding good governance, combating terrorism, providing humanitarian aid, and engaging in intensive peacekeeping, diplomacy, and mediation.

According to him, Nigeria’s approach to fostering peace and stability in West Africa is comprehensive, combining military intervention, diplomatic engagement, dialogue, negotiations, and mutually beneficial economic collaboration.

In his words, Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to peacebuilding has solidified its position as a cornerstone of regional stability, saying they will continue to strengthen efforts to support a more secure and prosperous West Africa.

Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to promoting peace and security across West Africa.

He also commended China’s contributions to Africa’s development through initiatives like the Belt and Road and FOCAC.

Tinubu highlighted the importance of confronting the root causes of conflicts, such as poverty, inequality, and social injustice, emphasising that true peace is not just the absence of war, but the presence of justice, equity, economic opportunity, and human security.

“Nigeria has played a pivotal role in ECOWAS evolution. Throughout the bloc’s transition from an economic bloc to an integrated regional security architecture for West Africa, Nigeria has been there at the forefront.

“Nigeria’s leadership has been critical in developing mechanisms for conflict resolution and management,” he added.