Accra: The 2nd Extraordinary Meeting of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) Ministerial Committee concluded in Accra, Ghana, with a decision to permit the Sahel countries that have recently withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to join GIABA as Non-ECOWAS Members.

According to African Press Organization, the decision was reached unanimously by the ministers attending the meeting, who emphasized the importance of addressing regional insecurity through collaborative efforts. This decision will now be forwarded to the ECOWAS Council of Ministers and the Authority of Heads of State and Government for further consideration.

During the session, Nigeria’s Minister of Justice transferred the chairmanship of the GIABA Ministerial Committee to the Minister of Finance of Sierra Leone, who will take on the responsibilities as the new Chair of the Committee.