Pursue Peace to Promote Development, Buhari to ECOWAS Leaders

The president was speaking at a joint press conference after a closed door meeting with the President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, in the Presidential Villa.

He commended the Liberian President for the stability her country had enjoyed over the years and her ability to combine her job with ECOWAS responsibilities.

“I thank you very much for the way you are handling the ECOWAS responsibility. We have 102 countries and I believe we will discuss when we go to Senegal today, in terms of peace and security,” he stated.

President Buhari also stressed the need for other ECOWAS leaders to continue to pursue peace in the sub-region, which had been scuttled in some member states by terrorists groups.

He pointed out that the situation in the sub region was relatively stable, but said it was imperative to continue to persuade other leaders to show appreciation for the efforts the sub-region is making towards protecting its people to foster development.

Johnson-Sirleaf, who is in Nigeria to get an update on the ECOWAS Commission as the secretary, briefed President Buhari on her findings, ahead of a report she would be presenting on December 17.

After both leaders held talks that lasted for about one hour, the Liberian leader said she was using the opportunity of the visit to be updated on the progress and challenges of the work of the ECOWAS Commission.

“I have come to meet with the entities of ECOWAS, the commission, parliament and the court in preparation for the report that I will need to make on the summit of the authority which will be held here in Abuja on December 17,” she said.

The last time she came in February she thanked Nigeria for helping to restore peace to her country and specifically acknowledged Nigeria’s support during the Ebola epidemic in Liberia.

After the meeting, President Buhari left for the third Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa.

Beyond the ECOWAS sub-region, the president is carrying the message of peace and development to the African Union Summit, as he believes that development can only strive in a peaceful environment.