Latest news with #AmadouDIONGUE
Zawya
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) celebrates its fiftieth anniversary in Cotonou: a march for regional unity and solidarity
As part of the celebrations marking the fiftieth anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the ECOWAS Representation in Benin, with the support of the Beninese Government, the West African Power Pool (WAPP) and the Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre (MMCC) Zone E, organised a commemorative march in Cotonou on Saturday 28th of June 2025. Titled the 'Jubilee Walk', the event brought together over 300 participants from state and diplomatic institutions, ECOWAS specialised agencies, project partners, West African communities, youth organisations, NGOs, students and teachers. The march set off from the Place de l'Amazone at 7.00am and took a looping route through the Place Bio Guéra, returning to its starting point at around 10.00am. It was led by a high-level delegation including Ambassador Amadou DIONGUE, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Benin, the representative of the Minister for Sport, the Director of CMMC Zone E and the representative of the WAPP Secretary General. The presence of the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System, the Resident Representatives of UEMOA and UNFPA, as well as Ambassador Francis OKE, former Permanent Representative of the ECOWAS to the African Union, enhanced the solemnity of the event. In keeping with the theme of the golden jubilee, 'Stronger together for a brighter future'. the march was punctuated by messages in favour of unity and solidarity, the essential foundations of successful regional integration. In his speech, the ECOWAS Resident Representative said: 'This march symbolises our shared commitment to an ECOWAS of peoples, united and in solidarity. In the face of current challenges, it is imperative that we unite our voices on the international stage to defend the interests of our region and accelerate the implementation of our integration policies, in order to create opportunities for our peoples'. The ceremony ended with words of thanks and encouragement from Ambassador Francis OKE, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System, the representative of the Minister for Sport and the Resident Representative of the ECOWAS. They all stressed that the support, solidarity and unity of the peoples are the foundation of West African political and economic integration. The morning ended in a convivial atmosphere, with refreshments and a family photo. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Zawya
08-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Government of Benin have established a mechanism for the annual review of projects and programmes of ECOWAS Institutions and Agencies in the Country
On 17 and 18 April 2025, the ECOWAS Representation to the Republic of Benin, the Ministry of Economy and Finance (ECOWAS National Office in Benin) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Department of Sub-Saharan Africa and African Integration) jointly organised a consultation meeting at the Millennium Popo Beach Hotel in Grand-Popo. This event brought together the Honourable Members of the ECOWAS Parliament from Benin, sectoral ministries, the ECOWAS Representation to the Republic of Togo, ECOWAS specialised agencies present in Benin as well as implementing agencies such as Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs). The aim of the meeting was to review the portfolio of ECOWAS projects and programmes in the Republic of Benin. Over the two days, the proceedings were structured around an opening session, a session to present the ECOWAS projects and programmes completed in 2024 and underway in the Republic of Benin, a session to discuss the challenges and formulate recommendations to the Government of Benin, ECOWAS and the Implementing Agencies for the establishment of a coordination, monitoring and evaluation mechanism for ECOWAS projects and programmes in Benin, and a closing session. Attended by some fifty participants, the opening ceremony was marked by keynote speeches from Ambassador Amadou DIONGUE, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Benin, the Honourable Nassirou BAKO ARIFARI, ECOWAS Member of Parliament, the Executive Secretary of Grand-Popo Town Hall and Mr Faustin GUIDI, Head of the ECOWAS National Office, representing the Minister of State for the Economy and Finance. The work enabled the mapping of more than 50 projects and programmes supported by ECOWAS, underway or completed by 2024, and the identification of major challenges to the monitoring, coordination and visibility of ECOWAS interventions in the Republic of Benin. In view of the challenges identified, the participants recommended, among other things, the designation of focal points by ministry to monitor ECOWAS interventions, the creation of a national directory of ECOWAS projects including the implementing NGOs, the establishment of a coordination and monitoring framework, inspired by the UEMOA model already in place, and the establishment of a relevant communication strategy around the interventions. Through this participatory approach, the strong institutional anchoring, and the desire to align regional projects with national priorities, this initiative aims to become a concrete model that can be replicated in other ECOWAS member states. This model will improve coordination between stakeholders, give states greater ownership of Community interventions, provide a framework for assessing challenges and serve as a springboard for a review of policy reforms. This consultation represents a strategic turning point for Benin, and an inspiring example for other Member States, in strengthening the governance, transparency and impact of regional projects. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Zawya
05-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Representation in Benin Organizes a Conference-Debate at the University of Parakou to Mark 50 Years of ECOWAS
On February 21, 2025, the ECOWAS Representation in Benin organized a high-level conference-debate under the theme: '50 Years of ECOWAS: Achievements, Gains, Challenges, Issues, and Perspectives for the Full Realization of ECOWAS of the Peoples.' The event provided a platform for engagement with academia and civil society, fostering discussions on the current challenges to fully achieving ECOWAS of the Peoples and assessing the impact of ECOWAS over the past five decades on the populations of West Africa, particularly in Benin. The conference brought together key stakeholders, including Ambassador Amadou DIONGUE, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Benin; Mr. Faustin GUIDI, Director of Regional Economic Integration and Head of the ECOWAS National Office; Ms. Souradjatou Aminatou GANIYI, Head of the Sub-Saharan Africa and African Integration Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Professor Bertrand SOGBOSSI BOCCO, Rector of the University of Parakou, alongside the university's academic leadership. On this occasion, the official Commemoration of ECOWAS' 50th Anniversary in Benin was launched in the presence of faculty members and students of the University of Parakou. The conference-debate was structured into two sessions. The opening session featured welcome remarks by the Vice-Rector, Professor Yvette ONIBON DOUBOGAN, followed by statements from the Head of the ECOWAS National Office in Benin, Mr. Faustin GUIDI; the ECOWAS Resident Representative, H.E. Ambassador Amadou DIONGUE; and the Rector of the University of Parakou, Professor Bertrand SOGBOSSI BOCCO. The second session comprised an expert panel discussion moderated by the Vice-Rector, with insightful contributions from the Resident Representative, the Rector, the Head of the ECOWAS National Office, the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vice-President of the Laboratory for Regional Analysis and Social Expertise (LARES), Professor Alix Servais AFOUDA, who also serves as the lead consultant for the National Youth Meetings of ECOWAS in Benin, and Dr. Laurent OLOUKOI, an expert in International Economics. With over 300 participants in attendance, discussions were marked by in-depth analyses of key regional issues, including the withdrawal of three countries from the AES, the free movement of people and goods, the single currency project, financial integration, as well as concerns related to peace, security, governance, and regional development. The conference underscored the critical role of informed dialogue with youth in countering misinformation and strengthening awareness of ECOWAS' mandate. At the conclusion of the conference, participants left with a deeper understanding of ECOWAS' objectives, vision, achievements, and future prospects in line with the ECOWAS Vision 2050, which is anchored in the 4×4 Strategic Objectives of the 2022-2026 Management Plan, under the leadership of Dr. Omar Alieu TOURAY, President of the ECOWAS Commission. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Zawya
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Resident Representative to Benin pays a courtesy visit to the Vice-President of the Republic of Benin
Ambassador Amadou DIONGUE, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Benin, paid a courtesy visit to Her Excellency Madame Mariam Chabi Talata, Vice-President of the Republic of Benin, on Wednesday February 5, 2025. During this audience, the two personalities exchanged their wishes for the new year and discussed the challenges and issues of integration in West Africa. Ambassador DIONGUE also took this opportunity to inform Her Excellency Madame Mariam Chabi Talata of the current initiatives carried out by ECOWAS in Benin with the aim of fully realizing the vision of the organization as well as those linked to the celebration of the ECOWAS Golden Jubilee year. By renewing the commitment of the ECOWAS Representation, he requested and received the wise advice and guidance of Her Excellency Madam Vice-President. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
