68th Ordinary Session of the Conference of Heads of State and Government: ECOWAS Leaders reaffirm zero tolerance for Unconstitutional changes of Government
16 Dec, 2025
The 68th Ordinary Session of the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) concluded on Sunday, 14 December 2025, in Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria, with the adoption of significant decisions and a strong reaffirmation of the Community’s zero tolerance for unconstitutional changes of government.
The Summit was officially opened by H.E. President Julius Maada Bio of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Government, in the presence of leaders of ECOWAS Member States. The deliberations focused on critical regional issues and followed preparatory meetings held earlier in the week.
Addressing the press after the Session at the State House in Abuja, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, highlighted the key decisions and outcomes of the Summit.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Conference reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to democracy, constitutional governance, and regional peace and stability in West Africa, while reiterating its zero-tolerance policy toward unconstitutional changes of government.
The Authority welcomed the peaceful and credible conduct of recent elections in several Member States and commended ongoing preparations for elections scheduled for the coming year. With regard to The Gambia, the Authority expressed deep concern over recent statements by the country’s former president in exile, noting that such actions contravened the conditions of asylum and posed a threat to national peace, stability, and social cohesion. ECOWAS leaders emphasized that no individual is above the law, including in cases of alleged human rights violations, and warned against any attempt to destabilize the country.
Concerning developments in Benin, the Authority strongly condemned the attempted coup d’état and commended the swift and effective response of the national defense and security forces, supported by ECOWAS regional mechanisms, including elements of the ECOWAS Standby Force.
The Abuja Summit also provided an opportunity for in-depth reflection on the future of the Community in the context of evolving global challenges and their implications for ECOWAS Vision 2050, which seeks to foster inclusive and sustainable development across the region.
The Heads of State and Government reaffirmed their determination to build an ECOWAS community founded on social justice and the well-being of all its peoples. They underscored the importance of strengthening regional economic integration as the cornerstone of collective prosperity, notably through the establishment of a genuine single market, enhanced fiscal coordination, and the promotion of macroeconomic stability.
At the close of the Summit, Senegal was appointed to chair the ECOWAS Commission for the period 2026–2030, reflecting the renewed confidence and esteem of Member States and reaffirming the country’s leading role in advancing regional and continental integration.
The 68th Ordinary Session of the Conference of Heads of State and Government concluded with a renewed commitment to building a safer, more integrated, and more prosperous West Africa for the benefit of all its citizens.