Shettima arrives in Sierra Leone for 69th ECOWAS Summit

ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government is responsible for setting the organisation’s policy direction on peace, security, governance and

By Mmesoma Onwuka

Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Freetown, Sierra Leone, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 69th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Shettima arrived in the Sierra Leonean capital on Sunday ahead of the summit, which brings together leaders from across West Africa to deliberate on key political, economic and security issues affecting the sub-region.

On arrival, the Vice President was received by his Sierra Leonean counterpart, Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, alongside senior Nigerian government officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and other members of Nigeria’s delegation.

The summit, taking place at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Freetown, is expected to focus on regional security, democratic governance, economic integration, trade, infrastructure development and sustainable growth within the ECOWAS region.

During the meeting, heads of state and government are expected to review political, economic and security developments across member states and adopt measures aimed at deepening regional cooperation. Deliberations will also address persistent security challenges, efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and strategies for expanding economic opportunities across West Africa.

As the highest decision-making body of the regional bloc, the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government is responsible for setting the organisation’s policy direction on peace, security, governance and regional integration.

President Tinubu, who previously served as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority, is being represented at this year’s summit by Vice President Shettima as leaders consider decisions expected to shape the future of regional cooperation and development.