Africa
ECOWAS Media Chiefs Move to Tackle Disinformation, Deepen Regional Integration Coverage
Directors-General of national television stations across West Africa have gathered in Cotonou to strengthen collective action against misinformation about the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and enhance public media collaboration in promoting regional integration.
The two-day meeting, organised by the ECOWAS Commission’s Directorate of Communication with support from the German Government, brought together heads of national broadcasters and ECOWAS National Bureaus from 12 member states.
Participants underscored the importance of strengthening public television networks in countering misinformation and improving visibility of ECOWAS programmes, policies, and achievements across the sub-region.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, represented by his Senior Special Adviser, Mr. Abdoulie Gassama, highlighted the critical role national broadcasters play in shaping public understanding of regional initiatives.
He described public television stations as trusted institutions with the reach and credibility necessary to bridge communication gaps between ECOWAS institutions and citizens. He stressed that effective communication remains essential for sustaining confidence in the bloc’s peacebuilding, economic integration, and democratic governance efforts.
The meeting comes amid growing concerns over the rapid spread of false narratives on digital platforms, making coordinated media engagement more urgent. Stakeholders are expected to explore content-sharing frameworks, joint programming opportunities, and structured partnerships to ensure consistent and accurate reporting on ECOWAS activities.
Opening the session, the Chairman of the ECOWAS Administrative and Financial Committee, Komba Momoh, called for practical outcomes from the dialogue.
Represented by Ms. Laygbay Lilian Amadu, Deputy Director of the ECOWAS Country Office in Sierra Leone, she urged participants to move beyond discussions and focus on actionable strategies that would support sustained programming and broader coverage of regional initiatives.
She emphasized that stronger cooperation between ECOWAS and national broadcasters would promote transparency, counter misinformation, and encourage greater public ownership of regional policies.
The Cotonou deliberations are expected to produce concrete commitments aimed at institutionalising collaboration between the ECOWAS Commission and public television networks.
Officials said the initiative represents a strategic step toward strengthening the regional body’s communication ecosystem and ensuring that West Africa’s integration narrative is accurately projected across member states.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the swift implementation of South Sudan’s revitalised peace agreement, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of First Vice President Riek Machar and other detained opposition figures.
Tinubu made the call at the African Union High-Level Ad Hoc Committee meeting on South Sudan, known as the C-5 Plus Summit, held on the sidelines of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The Nigerian leader urged South Sudanese authorities to convene an all-inclusive national dialogue and reconciliation forum, stressing that national unity and elite consensus are crucial for a successful transition He also called on stakeholders to prioritise inclusive, peaceful, and transparent elections to build trust in the country’s leadership.
Tinubu noted that insecurity and political tensions in South Sudan have slowed progress in key transitional areas, including security sector reforms and constitution drafting. He reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to support efforts toward lasting peace and sustainable development in the country.
Meanwhile, Nigeria has pledged to host and provide full infrastructural support for the Combined Maritime Task Force in the Gulf of Guinea. According to Shettima, Nigeria will supply office facilities, ships, helicopters, and temporary personnel to enhance maritime security and combat transnational organised crimes in the region.
The commitment was announced during the AU summit, where Nigeria also advocated stronger continental collaboration to address security threats, debt challenges, and mineral exploitation across Africa.
The presidency said the moves reflect Nigeria’s broader push for peace, stability, and institutional strengthening on the continent.
Vice President Kashim Shettima on Saturday joined African leaders and global partners at the opening of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
At the summit, President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi formally assumed office as Chairman of the African Union for 2026, succeeding Angola’s President João Lourenço.
No fewer than 49 heads of state and government attended the opening session, alongside leaders of global and regional institutions. Among them were the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The summit, themed “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” focused on advancing Africa’s long-term development blueprint.
In his welcome address, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed urged African leaders to remain united in driving socio-economic transformation across the continent. He highlighted Ethiopia’s investments in smart agriculture and climate-friendly energy projects, noting that the country is working toward a sustainable future for its population of over 130 million.
Guterres reaffirmed the United Nations’ commitment to Africa, describing the partnership between the UN and the African Union as one rooted in respect, dialogue, and solidarity. He praised African countries for their consistent support within the UN system and pledged continued backing for the continent’s pursuit of peace, security, and sustainable development.
In his valedictory remarks, Lourenço presented a scorecard of his tenure, citing progress in inclusive growth, infrastructure development, human capital investment, and resource mobilisation aligned with Agenda 2063.
He emphasized that peace and security had remained central to the AU’s agenda over the past year and called for stronger mechanisms to address conflicts and emerging threats across the continent.
Following remarks by leaders of regional blocs and development partners, the summit witnessed the formal handover of leadership to Ndayishimiye. The opening ceremony concluded with a family photograph, after which leaders proceeded into a closed-door session.
The Association of Foreign Relations Professionals of Nigeria (AFRPN) on Friday held a press briefing in Abuja, setting the stage for its 8th Annual Conference on Democratic Governance in Africa, scheduled for Thursday, February 5, at the Rotunda of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tafawa Balewa House.
The event, hosted at the AFRPN Secretariat, brought together senior serving and retired diplomats, Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials, and representatives of print, broadcast, electronic, and online media.
The briefing aimed to outline the objectives, theme, and significance of the upcoming conference to the public and key stakeholders.
AFRPN Chairman and President, Ambassador Dr. Gani Lawal, emphasized the Association’s role as a professional platform for fostering informed discourse on Nigeria’s foreign policy and Africa’s international relations.
“Through research, policy dialogue, mentorship, and intellectual engagement, AFRPN continues to shape critical discussions that influence national and continental policy,” he said.
Ambassador Lawal announced that the 2026 conference will be held under the theme: “The Challenge of Democratic Governance in Africa: Mega Trends and Leveraging Opportunities for Consolidation.”
He described the theme as timely, given recent democratic setbacks, governance challenges, and rising security concerns across Africa, particularly in the Sahel region.
The conference is designed to provide a platform for practitioners to analyze these trends and identify practical strategies for consolidating democracy on the continent.
The briefing also disclosed that African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, will serve as Guest Lecturer, while former Minister of Foreign Affairs and AFRPN Patron, Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, will chair the conference.
The event is expected to attract high-level dignitaries, including the Vice President of Nigeria as Special Guest of Honour, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs as hosts, alongside former ministers, ambassadors, senior government officials, heads of strategic institutions, and serving and retired AFRPN members.
AFRPN reiterated that effective foreign policy is closely tied to strong domestic governance, economic resilience, and informed strategic thinking.
The Association reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to democratic norms in Africa, opposition to unconstitutional changes of government, promotion of regional integration, and peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue.
The press briefing concluded with a call on the media to provide comprehensive coverage of the conference, ensuring informed public engagement on Africa’s democratic governance challenges.