President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, has reaffirmed the regional body’s steadfast commitment to supporting the Government of Ethiopia in its pursuit of peace, stability, and sustainable development.
Dr. Touray stated that inter-regional dialogue and cooperation remain vital to addressing transnational threats and advancing the African Union’s Agenda 2063 vision for “The Africa We Want.”
He made the remarks while receiving the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to Nigeria, Ambassador Legesse Haile, who paid a courtesy visit to the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja.
The meeting provided an opportunity for both leaders to exchange views on issues of mutual interest, particularly the political and security dynamics in Ethiopia and the wider Horn of Africa region.
The ECOWAS President emphasized that sustained peace and stability in all subregions of the continent are essential for achieving Africa’s collective goals of integration, growth, and prosperity.
“The peace, security, stability, and integration of the Horn of Africa and the continent are very important to ECOWAS. I have taken note of the emphasis the Government of Ethiopia has placed on its willingness to continue dialogue with riparian states. This is extremely important because our mutual coexistence must be enhanced through dialogue. The Government of Ethiopia can be assured of ECOWAS’ support in promoting such engagement,” Dr. Touray said.
He commended Ethiopia’s ongoing peacebuilding, developmental, and reconciliation initiatives, reaffirming ECOWAS’ readiness to strengthen collaboration with Ethiopia, the African Union, and other Regional Economic Communities to promote peace, security, and regional integration across Africa.
Dr. Touray also congratulated the Ethiopian Government on the successful completion and inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), describing it as “a landmark achievement that would enhance electricity supply and spur development in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa.”
“It also shows that with good policies, peace, and security, the sky is the limit for the country, the region, and the continent,” he added.
In his remarks, Ambassador Legesse Haile highlighted Ethiopia’s efforts in consolidating peace, strengthening regional cooperation, and promoting socio-economic development.
He noted that the completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam—Africa’s largest hydroelectric project—demonstrates the country’s commitment to progress while continuing to address the concerns of riparian states through dialogue.
The Ethiopian envoy also underscored the importance of solidarity and partnership between African regional organisations in addressing common challenges and deepening continental unity.
At the end of the meeting, both leaders expressed their commitment to strengthening collaboration between ECOWAS and Ethiopia in areas of shared interest, particularly peace and security, governance, and regional integration.