Bomi County Senator Edwin M. Snowe is urging the Liberian Senate to collaborate with relevant government ministries to officially launch Liberia’s bid to host some or all of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) institutions. His plea comes on the heels of the recent announcement that Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso are withdrawing from ECOWAS, a move that could significantly impact regional operations and employment. In January 2024, military authorities from the three nations declared their withdrawal, prompting concerns about the closure of various regional entities and the jobs that would be lost. According to Senator Snowe, the withdrawal affects approximately 130 ECOWAS staff members from these countries:
77 from Burkina Faso, 23 from Mali, and 32 from Niger. The institutions at risk include the West African Health Organization (WAHO) and the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre, both based in Burkina Faso, as well as the ECOWAS Regional Animal Health Centre in Mali. “While we hope that the authorities of the withdrawing nations reconsider their decision, it is also crucial for Liberia to be prepared to host these institutions,” Senator Snowe stated during the senate’s plenary session. He emphasized that securing the opportunity to host would enhance Liberia’s leadership role in the region and create jobs that are vital for economic development. To advance this goal, Senator Snowe has called on the Senate to direct the Committees on Foreign Affairs and Ways, Means & Finance to work alongside the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Finance & Development Planning to facilitate Liberia’s bid. He referenced a previous communication from October 2024 addressed to key government officials, urging them to consider the proposal to host ECOWAS entities and to initiate lobbying efforts. In a response to his earlier inquiries, the Minister of Foreign Affairs informed Senator Snowe that discussions regarding Liberia’s potential to host have been informally introduced to ECOWAS but cannot move forward officially until the negotiations between ECOWAS and the withdrawing nations are completed. Senator Snowe further highlighted the potential consequences of the member states’ withdrawal. Source: NewsThread