Tinubu seeks stronger Regional Economic Blocs to boost Integration, Trade

President Bola Tinubu has called for the strengthening of Regional Economic Communities to drive Integration and Trade Ties among African Nations.

Represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu made the call during the Summit on the State of Democracy in Africa on Wednesday in Abuja.

The President said that strengthening of Regional Economies would deepen Democracy and accelerate Development across the Continent.

He called for revitalisation of Sub-Regional Blocs like the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Tinubu said these two Communities would usher in an Era of robust Intra-African Commerce, Economic Growth and Job Creation.

The President said through bitter experience, Nigeria has learned that the solution to poor Democratic Governance was to have more Democracies.

Tinubu noted that the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) could only be maximally realised when there was concrete Economic Integration and Collaboration at the different Sub-Regions.

He urged the Regional Bodies to prioritise minimising Trade barriers, promoting Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Growth, Human Capital Development as well as Value Addition in Agriculture and Agro-Allied Sectors.

”We must deliberate on ways through which African Sub-Regional Organisations can help foster better Intra-African Trade, achieve better Food and Energy Security, promote higher Rates of Youth Employment, alleviate Poverty and realise greater prosperity for our People.”

Tinubu noted that a reinvigorated Sub-Regional Cooperation was critical for the successful implementation of the path-breaking AfCFTA by harmonising Rules and Regulations to facilitate free movement of Goods, Services and People.

He expressed optimism about Polls held successfully in Nations like Liberia, Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria.

”The tragedies of our Nations and Histories inspire our concern about the reversals of Democratic Governments, particularly in West Africa.

“That is why we are alarmed by the Military Coups in Mali, Guinea Conakry, Burkina Faso, Niger Republic, and Gabon.”

Tinubu, however, advocated Discussions on empowering Regional Blocs to establish well-funded standby Military Forces “to help contain Military Adventurers and the rampaging waves of Terrorism and Religious extremism”.

He urged African Leaders to respect Constitutional Tenets like Term Limits, and ensure credible Elections and Autonomous Institutions through the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) to achieve Democratic consolidation.

“This Summit must discuss ways of making the APRM contribute to achieving good Governance and Democratic consolidation on the Continent.”

Tinubu called for concrete Measures through reinvented Regional Bodies to boost Trade, enhance Security and entrench Constitutional Democracy for Development and prosperity.

Earlier, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, said the answer to the myriad of challenges confronting Democracy in Africa was in re-examining the Model of Democracy passed on to Countries in the Continent by their Colonial Masters.

He said Leaders across the Continent must come together to devise a form of contextual Democracy that takes into account past experiences, addresses contemporary challenges and emphasises Good Leadership.

Obasanjo expressed concern about the growing discontent against Democracy in the Continent.

He said that the model that would work for Africa was one that takes into account the typical and predominant Political System that was suitably and appropriately placed to serve the Objectives of the African People.

Also, the UN Deputy Secretary-General and Chair of the SDGs, Amina Mohammed, said the active participation of Women and Young People in Politics, and other decision-making Processes would strengthen Democracy in the Continent.

She drew the attention of Authorities in the Continent to the effective implementation of Laws, adherence to the Tenets of accountability, and improved Investment in Democratic Institutions.

“These are critical to the sustenance of Democracy in Africa and beyond.” 

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