ECOWAS
Initializing...
ECOWAS / CEDEAO
EN FR PT
ECOWAS Commission engages with Delegation from the United Kingdom’s Royal College of Defence Studies in Strategic Dialogue 

ECOWAS Commission engages with Delegation from the United Kingdom’s Royal College of Defence Studies in Strategic Dialogue 

ECOWAS Commission engages with Delegation from the United Kingdom’s Royal College of Defence Studies in Strategic Dialogue 
May 14, 2025 1 min read

The ECOWAS Commission through its Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS), conferred with a delegation from United Kingdom’s Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) on the 12th of May 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria. The delegation was in Nigeria as part of their strategic programme for overseas study tour.

Both sides discussed the strengthening of peace building collaboration, strategic alliances and a re-examination of frameworks that aid of peace-keeping support, among others.

The 21-man RDCS delegation was led by Rear Admiral Steve Dainton. Mr. Bekaye Coulibaly of the Directorate of Peace-keeping and Regional Security (DPKRS) led the ECOWAS team and coordinated the interaction which also featured a presentation on the ECOWAS interventions in peacekeeping and mediation, among others. Done on behalf of the Commissioner, Political Affairs, Peace and Security.

ECOWAS News

Regional insights, real impact

Discover how ECOWAS is transforming communities, economies and the lives of West African citizens — one story at a time.

Read More
ABIDJAN HOSTS PIVOTAL WATER GOVERNANCE TALKS AS WEST AFRICA PREPARES FOR ITS FIRST-EVER REGIONAL WATER FORUM
September 22, 2026 0

ABIDJAN HOSTS PIVOTAL WATER GOVERNANCE TALKS AS WEST AFRICA PREPARES FOR ITS FIRST-EVER REGIONAL WATER FORUM

Learn More
ECOWAS HOLDS THE SECOND MEETING OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE OF REGIONAL CLEAN COOKING ACTION FOR WEST AFRICA (ReCCAWA)
September 22, 2026 0

ECOWAS HOLDS THE SECOND MEETING OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE OF REGIONAL CLEAN COOKING ACTION FOR WEST AFRICA (ReCCAWA)

Learn More
H.E. GENERAL BIRAME DIOP AND HON. JUSTICE RICARDO CLÁUDIO MON-TEIRO GONÇALVES ADVANCE A SHARED VISION FOR STRONGER INSTITUTI-ONS, RULE OF LAW AND REGIONAL INTEGRATION The President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. General Birame Diop, and the President of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, Hon. Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, have reaf-firmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation among ECOWAS institutions, promoting the rule of law and advancing regional integration during the Commission President’s official visit to the Court in Abuja. The meeting underscored a shared determination to reinforce institutional effectiveness, democratic governance and citizen-centred development as key pillars of the ECO-WAS Vision 2050. Addressing members of the Court and the Commission delegation, H.E. General Birame Diop emphasized that ECOWAS stands at a critical juncture in its history and must collectively res-pond to the challenges facing the region across the areas of integration, peace and security, governance, democracy and sustainable development. He stressed that strong institutions remain indispensable to the success of the regional project and called for closer collaboration among the Community’s principal organs while preserving their respective mandates and inde-pendence. The President of the Commission further highlighted the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between the executive, judicial and legislative institutions of ECOWAS. Drawing a pa-rallel with the governance structures of modern states, he noted that effective regional gover-nance depends on institutions that are independent, credible and capable, while working toge-ther in pursuit of a common objective: the prosperity, stability and well-being of the peoples of West Africa. In his remarks, Hon. Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves welcomed the Commission President to the Court and expressed confidence that the new leadership of the Commission would provide renewed momentum to the Community and its institutions. He underscored the importance of solidarity, fraternity and mutual support among ECOWAS institutions, noting that a stronger Community can only be built through closer cooperation and a shared com-mitment to serving the citizens of the region. The President of the Court also reaffirmed the judiciary’s readiness to contribute to the realiza-tion of the Community’s objectives and praised the Commission President’s distinguished in-ternational experience and leadership credentials. He expressed optimism that the new man-date would further strengthen the foundations of regional integration and enhance the effec-tiveness of ECOWAS in addressing the expectations of its Member States and citizens. The discussions highlighted a strong convergence of views on the central role of the rule of law, institutional dialogue and mutual respect in advancing the ECOWAS integration agenda. Both leaders emphasized that independent institutions are not instruments of competition but part-ners in a common endeavour to build a more peaceful, democratic, prosperous and resilient West Africa. The visit further provided an opportunity for both institutions to reaffirm their commitment to deeper engagement, stronger coordination and continuous dialogue in support of the Commu-nity’s strategic priorities. It also reflected a shared understanding that the success of ECOWAS depends not only on the strength of its institutions but also on their ability to work collectively in delivering tangible benefits to the citizens they serve.
September 21, 2026 0

H.E. GENERAL BIRAME DIOP AND HON. JUSTICE RICARDO CLÁUDIO MON-TEIRO GONÇALVES ADVANCE A SHARED VISION FOR STRONGER INSTITUTI-ONS, RULE OF LAW AND REGIONAL INTEGRATION The President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. General Birame Diop, and the President of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, Hon. Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, have reaf-firmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation among ECOWAS institutions, promoting the rule of law and advancing regional integration during the Commission President’s official visit to the Court in Abuja. The meeting underscored a shared determination to reinforce institutional effectiveness, democratic governance and citizen-centred development as key pillars of the ECO-WAS Vision 2050. Addressing members of the Court and the Commission delegation, H.E. General Birame Diop emphasized that ECOWAS stands at a critical juncture in its history and must collectively res-pond to the challenges facing the region across the areas of integration, peace and security, governance, democracy and sustainable development. He stressed that strong institutions remain indispensable to the success of the regional project and called for closer collaboration among the Community’s principal organs while preserving their respective mandates and inde-pendence. The President of the Commission further highlighted the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between the executive, judicial and legislative institutions of ECOWAS. Drawing a pa-rallel with the governance structures of modern states, he noted that effective regional gover-nance depends on institutions that are independent, credible and capable, while working toge-ther in pursuit of a common objective: the prosperity, stability and well-being of the peoples of West Africa. In his remarks, Hon. Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves welcomed the Commission President to the Court and expressed confidence that the new leadership of the Commission would provide renewed momentum to the Community and its institutions. He underscored the importance of solidarity, fraternity and mutual support among ECOWAS institutions, noting that a stronger Community can only be built through closer cooperation and a shared com-mitment to serving the citizens of the region. The President of the Court also reaffirmed the judiciary’s readiness to contribute to the realiza-tion of the Community’s objectives and praised the Commission President’s distinguished in-ternational experience and leadership credentials. He expressed optimism that the new man-date would further strengthen the foundations of regional integration and enhance the effec-tiveness of ECOWAS in addressing the expectations of its Member States and citizens. The discussions highlighted a strong convergence of views on the central role of the rule of law, institutional dialogue and mutual respect in advancing the ECOWAS integration agenda. Both leaders emphasized that independent institutions are not instruments of competition but part-ners in a common endeavour to build a more peaceful, democratic, prosperous and resilient West Africa. The visit further provided an opportunity for both institutions to reaffirm their commitment to deeper engagement, stronger coordination and continuous dialogue in support of the Commu-nity’s strategic priorities. It also reflected a shared understanding that the success of ECOWAS depends not only on the strength of its institutions but also on their ability to work collectively in delivering tangible benefits to the citizens they serve.

Learn More
ECOWAS COMMISSION WELCOMES JOURNALISTS FROM MEMBER STATES TO NEW HEADQUARTERS IN ABUJA
September 21, 2026 0

ECOWAS COMMISSION WELCOMES JOURNALISTS FROM MEMBER STATES TO NEW HEADQUARTERS IN ABUJA

Learn More
ECOWAS IS SET TO AWARD WEST AFRICA’S 60 MOST PROMISING START-UPS THIS WEEK IN ABUJA
September 21, 2026 0

ECOWAS IS SET TO AWARD WEST AFRICA’S 60 MOST PROMISING START-UPS THIS WEEK IN ABUJA

Learn More
GENERAL BIRAME DIOP AND AMBASSADOR MARC FONBAUSTIER DISCUSS COOPERATION BETWEEN ECOWAS AND FRANCE
September 21, 2026 0

GENERAL BIRAME DIOP AND AMBASSADOR MARC FONBAUSTIER DISCUSS COOPERATION BETWEEN ECOWAS AND FRANCE

Learn More
Get in touch

Let's build West Africa's future together

ECOWAS Headquarters — Airport Road, Abuja, Nigeria
info@ecowas.int
ECOWAS Commission
12Member States, one region
Facebook LinkedIn X YouTube WhatsApp WebTV WebRadio Newsletter Library