ECCAS: Consolidating Institutional Reforms

The twenty-sixth ordinary session of the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) just concluded in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea on June 7, 2025. The Minister of External Relations, Mbella Mbella participated at the Summit, in his capacity as the representative of the President of the Republic, Paul Biya. Proceedings took place under the theme; “Consolidating the gains of ECCAS reform to accelerate regional integration and build a community of destiny in Central Africa” and the opening plenary was chaired by President Obiang Ngeuma Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea. The Conference of Heads of State and Government is a supreme steering body for regional integration policy and aims to consolidate the gains of ECCAS reform and accelerate regional integration in Central Africa. This year’s summit is under the African Union's (AU) framework which seeks to promote unity and solidarity among African States. A 35-point final communique was issued by representatives of member States. With regards to the political and security situation of the sub region, the Conference congratulated members for having facilitated and contributed to the transitional processes in Gabon and Chad. The President of the ECCAS Commission also presented a report on the political and security situation in the sub region. To this effect, the Conference noted the current context is marked by several threats to peace, security and stability, notably by acts of armed groups and terrorists especially in the Sahel, as well as the crises in Libya and Sudan, thus creating multiple economic and humanitarian effects on the Centra...