AfBA Pledges Support For ECOWAS Unity Efforts With AES States

The African Bar Association (AfBA) has pledged its support for efforts by Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio to restore unity within ECOWAS.

In a statement signed by AfBA President, High Chief Ibrahim Eddy Mark, the Association commended Bio’s leadership as ECOWAS Chairman. The President also noted Bio’s recent steps to reconcile with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. He stressed that reintegration of AES members would strengthen ECOWAS as an inclusive, united bloc for peace and prosperity.

According to the statement, Mark believes reconciliation requires dialogue and honest engagement with the root causes behind the withdrawal of AES. He identified misgovernance, injustice, weak institutions, electoral malpractice, and lack of access to justice as pressing challenges in the subregion. He argued that ignoring these systemic failures while condemning coups amounts to denial and will not solve deeper governance crises.

Mark reaffirmed AfBA’s commitment to constitutional rule, democracy, and opposition to unconstitutional power seizures. However, he warned against shallow responses to political instability. Mark emphasised that sustainable peace demands accountability, respect for rule of law, good governance, and institutions that protect citizens’ dignity. He further urged ECOWAS leaders to embrace reforms and inclusivity, noting that citizens must see ECOWAS as a community, not only governments.

AfBA also called on all member states to promote dialogue and cooperation, insisting that these values remain essential for legitimacy and progress. The Association expressed readiness to partner with ECOWAS by offering technical expertise, mediating dialogue, and supporting reforms that advance regional integration.

High Chief Eddy Mark maintained that only justice, inclusivity, and people-centred governance can ensure long-lasting peace and prosperity for West Africa. He reiterated AfBA support for ECOWAS unity efforts, adding that regional stability depends on honest reforms and collective responsibility from member states.