By: Sylvester Choloplay
RIA – Margibi County, December 16, 2024!
President Joseph Boakai and his delegation have returned to Liberia following their participation in the 66th ECOWAS Summit in Abuja, Nigeria, where regional economic integration and peace-building were key topics of discussion.
The President and his delegation represented Liberia at the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States Sixty-Sixth Ordinary Session in Abuja, Nigeria, on 15th December 2024.
At the 66th ECOWAS Summit held in Abuja, Nigeria, President Joseph Boakai emphasized the importance of establishing a single currency to promote economic integration and sustainable development across West Africa.
The President stated that a unified currency would enhance trade, reduce economic disparities, and foster greater regional cooperation, ultimately contributing to peace and prosperity across the region. .
” We see the European Countries using single currency (euro) and things are going well. This can also happen among West African countries to help improve our economies and unity”, President mentioned in an interview with reporters.
President Boakai underscored the critical role that financial stability plays in achieving long-term peace. He highlighted how a single currency would strengthen economic resilience, support infrastructure development, and address pressing challenges such as unemployment, poverty, and insecurity.
“Regional integration is the only pathway to sustainable development. A single currency will unite us economically and strategically, allowing us to face global challenges as one, cohesive entity”, he mentioned.
In addition to advocating for a single currency, President Boakai called for the lifting of sanctions imposed on Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. He emphasized that peaceful dialogue and the reintegration of these countries into ECOWAS are essential steps toward fostering unity and reconciliation.
“The path to peace and stability lies in dialogue and reconciliation,” he stated. “Sanctions should not be permanent barriers but rather catalysts for discussions that lead to unity and growth.”
The President also reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to reducing its inherited financial obligations to ECOWAS.
He acknowledged the importance of fulfilling these obligations to ensure the community’s success, pledging that Liberia would work toward settling its arrears in support of the regional integration process.
Furthermore, President Boakai stressed the need for increased collaboration on security matters. He urged member states to strengthen intelligence sharing, early warning systems, and collective efforts to combat rising insecurity, particularly in the Sahel region.
“We must share intelligence, consolidate efforts, and support one another,” President Boakai said. “Together, we can build a safer, more secure region for all.”
In his closing remarks, President Boakai reaffirmed Liberia’s dedication to regional unity, peace-building, and sustainable development, positioning the country as a key advocate for regional integration and progress.
