Guinea-Bissau officially launched its series of activities to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on May 28, 2025. The landmark event, held in the capital city of Bissau, marked a significant milestone in the nation’s commitment to regional integration and cooperation.
The ceremony was jointly organized by the National Office of ECOWAS under the Ministry of Planning and Regional Integration and the Office of the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Guinea-Bissau.
Dignitaries in attendance included representatives of the Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, several Cabinet Ministers, and members of the diplomatic corps. Ambassadors from ECOWAS member states, representatives of the African Union, European Union, United Nations, the ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau, and members of the media also graced the occasion.
In a series of statements delivered during the event, national authorities and the ECOWAS Resident Representative emphasized the achievements of the regional bloc over the past five decades and underscored the importance of unity, stability, and economic cooperation in securing a prosperous future for West Africa.
A symbolic highlight of the event was a simulation of the signing of the original ECOWAS Treaty, first inked in Lagos, Nigeria, on May 28, 1975. Performed by ECOWAS Ambassadors in Guinea-Bissau alongside representatives from member states without resident missions in the country, the reenactment served as a powerful reminder of the founding vision of regional solidarity and partnership.
The commemoration forms part of a broader series of activities planned across the ECOWAS region, as member states reflect on 50 years of progress while charting a forward-looking agenda for the next chapter of regional integration and development.
For more updates on ECOWAS 50th Anniversary celebrations and regional affairs, stay tuned to our coverage.
