The Ivorian political capital, Yamoussoukro, hosted the official ceremony marking the fiftieth anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Foundation for Peace Research.
This celebration, organised by the Permanent Representation of the ECOWAS Commission in Côte d’Ivoire, in collaboration with the ECOWAS National Office Côte d’Ivoire, saw strong institutional, diplomatic and popular mobilisation, demonstrating the commitment of West African states and peoples to the ideals of regional integration.
Placed under the chairmanship of Mrs. NIALE Kaba, Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation , this celebration was marked by a strong message in favor of a more united, more sovereign and more future-oriented West Africa.
In her address, the Minister of State called for this fiftieth anniversary to be not merely a commemoration, but a decisive turning point for deepening regional integration, consolidating collective sovereignty, and building a “more united, more resilient, and more forward-looking ECOWAS.” She also highlighted the prospects linked to the ECO single currency, the ECOWAS Vision 2050, and the need for a concerted response to the challenges of terrorism, transnational organized crime, and democratic fragility.
The distinguished presence of the Honorable Ms. Adjaratou Traoré Coulibaly, representing the Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission , as well as that of other high-ranking community, national, diplomatic, administrative, traditional, and local figures, lent a solemn and unifying character to this commemoration. In her address, the Honorable Ms. Adjaratou Traoré Coulibaly emphasized that this fiftieth anniversary should bring ECOWAS closer to its citizens and strengthen the sense of community belonging. She specifically noted that the commemorative caravan served as a vital link between community institutions and the people, highlighting major achievements such as the community passport, the common external tariff, and early warning mechanisms.
In this context, Ms. Fatmah Diarré Mahan, Acting Permanent Representative of ECOWAS in Côte d’Ivoire, and Her Excellency Ms. Sandra Folquet I., Head of the ECOWAS National Office, played a leading role in the preparation, coordination, and implementation of the event. Their joint involvement illustrates the complementary roles of the Permanent Representation and the ECOWAS National Office in strengthening regional integration and fostering closer ties between ECOWAS and the people. They commended the Ivorian authorities for their unwavering commitment and the strong mobilization of youth, women, and communities around shared ideals.
In parallel, commemorative activities continued through an urban caravan and various cultural and civic events, bringing together authorities, partners, and the public, illustrating popular support for community ideals. Declaring the commemorative caravan open, Minister of State Niale Kaba made a strong appeal for a more united, more resilient, and more forward-looking ECOWAS, emphasizing that this fiftieth anniversary must be a decisive turning point for strengthening regional integration.
Ultimately, this celebration of the ECOWAS golden jubilee in Yamoussoukro was a powerful moment of commemoration, mobilization and strategic projection, reaffirming the collective commitment to an integrated, peaceful and prosperous West Africa.
