Latest news with #regionalism
Zawya
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Zawya
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) celebrates its 50th anniversary at a high-level event at the United Nations headquarters in New York
On the 25th of July 2025, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) celebrated its 50th anniversary at a high-level event organised at the United Nations headquarters in New York, under the theme: 'United for a better future: promoting regionalism and multilateralism for shared prosperity'. Held in the ECOSOC chamber, the meeting brought together senior United Nations officials, ECOWAS leaders, diplomatic representatives and partners to commemorate five decades of regional integration, peace-building and development, while looking ahead to the future of West Africa in a changing global context. The event was hosted by the ECOWAS Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations, in close collaboration with the ECOWAS Group of Ambassadors to the UN. In her welcome address, Ambassador Kinza Jawara-Njai, ECOWAS Permanent Observer to the United Nations, underlined the organisation's central role in promoting regional cohesion, sustainable development and peace. She stressed the symbolic significance of this celebration within the United Nations, reaffirming ECOWAS's commitment to multilateralism and international partnerships. H.E. Damtien L. Tchintchibidja, Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, spoke of the Community's evolution from an economic bloc to a multidimensional institution working for peace, democratic governance and human development. She recalled the relevance of the ECOWAS Vision 2050 and reaffirmed the Commission's commitment to strengthening its cooperation with all its partners, for a peaceful, people-centred and prosperous West Africa. The keynote speech was delivered by H.E. Dr Abdel-Fatau Musah, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, who gave an in-depth analysis of regional challenges, while presenting the strategic responses being implemented to combat terrorism and deepen regional integration. He referred in particular to the operationalisation of the Regional Rapid Reaction Force against Terrorism, as well as the citizens' introspection currently underway, which will culminate in a Pact for the Future of Regional Integration. One of the highlights of the event was a message from H.E. General Dr Yakubu Gowon (retired), former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the last living founding father of ECOWAS. In a recorded video, General Gowon recalled the visionary spirit and historical context that led to the creation of the organisation in 1975. He emphasised the values of solidarity, cooperation and shared development: 'The dream of ECOWAS was born of a deep conviction: only regional unity will enable our peoples to overcome the burden of colonial fragmentation and build a future of peace, prosperity and pride. I am proud that after five decades, ECOWAS remains a symbol of hope, despite the many trials it has endured'. He called on current leaders and citizens to preserve and strengthen the foundations of integration, while encouraging the youth of West Africa and the Diaspora to carry on the torch. High-level speeches were also given by: Ms Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, UN Under-Secretary-General for Africa, who reaffirmed the UN's continued support for peace, security and democracy in West Africa; E. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, former President of the ECOWAS Commission and High Representative of the United Nations, who provided a historical perspective and visionary reflections on the path taken by regional integration; E. Santos Leonardo Simão, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of UNOWAS, who highlighted the importance of strategic regional partnerships; Ms Aïssata De, Deputy Regional Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa, who reiterated the UNDP's commitment to supporting the development of human and institutional capital in ECOWAS; E. Fatima Kyari Mohammed, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations, who welcomed the strategic alignment between ECOWAS and the African Union on governance, peace and economic transformation. The event was also well attended by civil society, academics and diplomatic representatives, with speeches by Dr Rita 'Kiki' Edozie, Professor of African Affairs at the University of Massachusetts Boston, and members of the ECOWAS Group of Ambassadors. This Golden Jubilee commemoration was much more than a celebration of past achievements: it marked a high point of collective renewal and strategic orientation. The reflections arising from the New York meeting will feed into the regional consultations underway across West Africa, leading up to an Extraordinary Summit of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government later this year. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Asharq Al-Awsat
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
History is Repeating Itself in Libya
As an old Arab proverb goes: 'With your people, you won't perish.' Without the protection and support of one's people, ruin becomes inevitable. A small problem arises, however, when we seek to determine who counts among 'your people', especially to those in power. Does the term refer strictly to one's kin (family, clan, or tribe) or does it encompass all citizens? The difference between the two is clear: the former is defined by blood ties alone, while the latter definition is broader. In the summer of 1975, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi settled the power struggle within the Revolutionary Command Council by eliminating his rivals and thwarting the coup they had been plotting against him. He then managed to fully dominate the council, the army, and the country, monopolizing power and becoming the country's only eagle. Reflecting on this bloody episode, one gets the impression that Gaddafi had been following this proverb. He turned to his people for support, placing his cousins in key positions to consolidate power and ensure his survival. Later, he was compelled to widen the circle slightly, bringing in other regions and reviving old kinship networks. That is how Gaddafi chose to fortify the foundations of his rule. This perverse approach plunged Libya into a dark period of regionalism and factionalism: alliances that had been formed under Italian colonial rule (and that had made it easier for the Italians to crush the resistance movement in the west of the country) were revived. Since 2011, history has seemingly been repeating itself. After Libya had come close to becoming a country for all Libyans without exception, it was captured by militias and terrorists who split the spoils of the nation's wealth among themselves. Corruption exploded, chaos broadened, and fuel, medicine, and food were smuggled across the borders. The entire country fell to these gangs that made people's lives miserable. Anyone following developments in Libya can clearly see that the same vile and futile game is now being repeated in both the East and the West. One could even argue that Gaddafi's actions in Libya were also mirrored by Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s, albeit in an iteration of the British context, which is of course different from Libya's. In other words, regional loyalties replaced partisan commitments in similar ways in Britain. I recall that British journalist Hugo Young was the first to point this out in his book One of Us, which caused quite a stir and won several awards. In post-Gaddafi Libya, history seems to be repeating itself in a dramatic fashion, as we noted earlier. The new political elites chose to follow Gaddafi's path. This is evident in both Cyrenaica and Fezzan and even more so in Tripoli. The government in Tripoli cannot overpower its rivals and take full control. That is why its prime minister recently sought to compensate for its weakness by turning to regional loyalties, allying with armed groups from Misrata. During a visit to the city shortly after Eid al-Adha, he and these factions agreed to cooperate on a joint military campaign to eliminate rogue armed factions in Tripoli. The irony is that the head of Tripoli's government plans to expel armed groups by bringing in other armed groups from outside the city. Pulling Misrata in, through this alliance with some of its militias, will engender animosity between the city and Tripoli. Overcoming the grudges could be impossible. The implicit goal of this operation is, first, to ensure the survival of the Government of National Unity. Second, it aims to generate a state of chaos and instability to prevent the UN from forming a new interim government tasked with organizing parliamentary and presidential elections.
CNA
29-05-2025
- General
- CNA
How regionalism is shaping South Korea's presidential election
The first day of early voting in South Korea's presidential election saw a record turnout, with more than eight million ballots cast. The election comes after months of political turmoil, following a botched attempt by former leader Yoon Suk Yeol to impose martial law last year. While many voters are focused on candidates' profiles and policies, regionalism remains a powerful force, especially in the south, where political divides are sharpest. Lim Yun Suk heads to the area ahead of the June 3 vote to find out how regionalism is shaping South Korean politics.
