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ECOWAS Resident and Permanent Representatives, together with members of the Cabinet of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, are meeting in Lomé, Togo, from 9 to 13 March 2026 for a strategic retreat to review achievements and discuss future perspectives regarding their contributions to the implementation of the Commission’s 2022–2026 mandate.The retreat, which also brings together several outgoing representatives, provides an opportunity for dialogue and the exchange of experience between former and newly appointed ECOWAS Resident and Permanent Representatives serving across Member States. As the primary interface between the ECOWAS Commission and Member States, ECOWAS Resident and Permanent Representations serve as key diplomatic, political and coordination mechanisms tasked with advancing the regional integration agenda. Recent political and institutional crises in some countries have nevertheless highlighted a number of constraints affecting the effectiveness of these representations. Key challenges include coordination difficulties, institutional ambiguities, limited communication and decision-making channels, and insufficient participation in early warning and crisis management mechanisms. With the current mandate of the ECOWAS Commission set to conclude in July 2026, the retreat offers a strategic opportunity to review the achievements of the Resident and Permanent Representations since 2022, particularly in relation to the “4×4” strategic objectives covering peace, security, integration, governance and sustainable development, in line with the Community’s Vision 2050. The retreat therefore serves as a platform for assessment, learning and strategic repositioning. Participants will conduct a comprehensive review of achievements, challenges and lessons learned from recent crises, while formulating recommendations aimed at strengthening the effectiveness and positioning of ECOWAS representations under the forthcoming mandate of the Commission. The discussions will also contribute to shaping inputs towards the Summit of the Future. In her welcome remarks, H.E. Ms Dewey Emily Gray, ECOWAS Resident Representative in the Republic of Togo, emphasised the significance of convening the retreat at this particular moment for the Community. “Just a few months before the completion of the mandate of the current leadership of the Commission, this meeting provides a valuable opportunity to pause, collectively assess the progress made since 2022, and reflect on the perspectives that will further strengthen the effectiveness of our representations,” she stated. Officially opening the retreat on behalf of H.E. Dr Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, the Chief of Staff, Mr Abdou Kolley, underscored the central role played by the Resident and Permanent Representations since the beginning of the Commission’s current mandate. “You are the voice, the presence and the operational instrument through which ECOWAS engages on the ground to sustain partnerships, promote its regional priorities and strengthen the essential dialogue between the Commission and its Member States,” he noted. “This retreat therefore holds particular importance. It is not merely an evaluation exercise, but a strategic moment for recalibration,” Mr Abdou KOLLEY reminded the participants. Operating under ECOWAS mandates (A/DEC.9/03/14, A/DEC.12/01/03 and C/REG.25/12/13), the representations support the Commission through coordination, advocacy, monitoring, awareness-raising and diplomatic engagement. In 2025, their efforts intensified through dialogue and visibility initiatives that supported the Golden Jubilee celebrations of ECOWAS, thereby reinforcing the Community’s institutional presence across Member States. Firewood racks are very rarely the subject of discussion these days but that doesn’t mean they’re not still needed. In fact, it’s very important to have a proper and practical way of storing all the firewood if you have a wood-burning fireplace, a stove or a fire pit out in the yard. There are many different ways to go around this. See some of our favorite ideas below. As always, when you buy pretty much any product, you need to consider what materials it’s made from, because each material has its own set of properties that can determine whether or not said product is right for you. Firewood racks are usually made from wood, plastic, or metal. Some of the best firewood racks are made from wrought iron, which is super heavy, but also one of the most durable options out there. It’s weather-resistant and stays strong for years and years even when it stays constantly outdoors. Another common choice for material is steel tubing that usually comes with a powder coat finish. That makes the steel tubes more durable, but not as durable as those made from wrought iron. Next, you’ll have to think about where you’re going to use the firewood rack. You will notice that a lot of racks are designed to be used both inside and outdoors, but you need to make sure that outdoor units are weather-resistant. Once again, the best choices for outdoors are racks made from powder-coated steel or wrought iron, because they are resistant and can also be decorative if you ever want to bring them indoors. Some models are made specifically for indoor use not just because they don’t use weather-resistant materials, but because they have features that are actually useful inside (such as hooks that help you hand your fireplace tools).