Abuja, 10 August 2022 (TDI): The Ambassador of the Republic of Cape Verde to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Belarmino Monteiro Silva, visited the President of the Economic Community of Western African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Omar Alieu Touray. The meeting was held in Abuja, Nigeria.
H.E. Mr. Belarmino Monteiro Silva, Ambassador of the Republic of Cabo Verde to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Permanent Representative to ECOWAS visits H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, the President of the ECOWAS Commission. August 09, 2022. Abuja, Nigeria pic.twitter.com/B8ds8ybc2b
— Ecowas – Cedeao (@ecowas_cedeao) August 9, 2022
ECOWAS
Economic Community of West African States was established through the Treaty of Lagos on 28 May 1975. Currently, the commission has 15 regional member states.
It aims to promote the economic integration of the member states in all fields. Moreover, the commission’s aim is to foster the self-sufficiency of its member states.
Additionally, the Commission is also a trading union established to create a single, large trading bloc through economic cooperation
Role of Nigeria in ECOWAS
Nigeria is considered the arrowhead of the Economic Community of West African States. According to the 2005 ECOWAS Report, Nigeria financially sustained the organization more than any other member state.
In addition, Nigeria’s financial contributions can be classified into three types. These include voluntary contributions, statuary financial contributions, and voluntary assistance to individual member states of ECOWAS.
Moreover, even though the member states have equal rights yet their duties may differ. Nigeria has also been hosting not only the organization (ECOWAS) but the Commissions of ECOWAS as well.
Cape Verde and ECOWAS
Cape Verde also called Cabo Verde has also strengthened its alliance in the West African region. The country had previously been denied its presidency of the ECOWAS Commission in 2018.
One reason for this was that Cape Verde had not paid its arrears of contributions. However, the country decided to move on from this and further work for its more robust standing in the region.
For this purpose, the current visit of the Ambassador is very significant. It aims to put forth the positive reputation of the state. Through this visit, Cape Verde looks forward to becoming an active member state of the organization.
