ECOWAS President urges Turkey to boost bloc’s anti-terrorism efforts

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By Mark Longyen

Dr Omar Touray, ECOWAS Commision President, has called on Turkey to step up its support to the subregional body’s efforts toward curbing the scourge of terrorism in West Africa.

Touray made the plea when the outgoing Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Hidayet Bayraktar, paid him a farewell visit at the commission’s headquarters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to him, Turkey is ECOWAS’ privileged partner, Africa’s major partner, and a global power, hence should continue stepping up its efforts to support peace, unity and security in West Africa.

“Turkey is a major partner of Africa and a privileged partner of ECOWAS.

“Its leadership is hailed and appreciated throughout the African continent,” he said.

Touray recalled the multifaceted approaches, which ECOWAS and the UN had embarked on, aimed at combating insecurity and terrorism in the sub region, stressing that West Africa’s greatest challenge was insecurity.

The commission’s president lauded the Turkish ambassador’s commitment and support to ECOWAS throughout his tour of duty, as well as his country’s role in the development of West Africa.

He, however, noted that there was the need to engage in deliberate, collaborative efforts toward promoting peace and security, which he described as indispensable to the development of the subregion.

“ECOWAS’s major challenge is insecurity, and none of its member states can face it alone.

“If we are not united, we cannot combat this threat.

“Unity and collective collaboration are essential to preserve peace and stability in West Africa”, Touray added.

Speaking earlier, Amb. Bayraktar reiterated Turkey’s commitment to deepen its support for ECOWAS’ efforts in tackling the challenges of violent extremism and terrorism, as well as promote peace, security and stability.

The Turkish envoy also lauded the prevailing excellent cooperation between his country and ECOWAS, and appreciated Touray’s contributions and efforts which, he said, helped to deepen the cooperation.

Bayraktar noted that there was the need for further collaborative efforts to explore other avenues of effectively combating the scourges of insecurity and terrorism within the ECOWAS subregion.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit marked the end of Bayraktar’s tour of duty as Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria with concurrent accreditation to ECOWAS. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Halima Sheji

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