President Bola Tinubu has dispatched some of his cabinet members to engage with the governments of the Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso who recently exited Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, in protest against their suspension for upending constituional orders in their territories.
Tinubu’s move is aimed at addressing the recent decision by the three Sahel nations to withdraw from the ECOWAS.
This high-level team, comprising the Minister of Defence, Mr. Abubakar Badaru; the Foreign Affairs Minister, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar; and other top government officials, was led by the President of ECOWAS, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray.
Recall that on January 28, 2023, the three aggrieved nations announced their immediate withdrawal from ECOWAS following their suspension by the body.
In a joint statement, the military leaders of the three Sahel nations said it was a “sovereign decision” to leave the ECOWAS “without delay.”
The trio was suspended from ECOWAS, with Niger and Mali facing heavy sanctions following coups that took place in Niger in July 2023, Burkina Faso in 2022, and Mali in 2020.
They accused the body of failing to help them tackle the jihadists who swept into Mali in 2012 and then on to Burkina and Niger.
Speaking at the extraordinary session of the mediation and security council of the bloc, Amb. Tuggar said the team came up with possible solutions for the pressing challenges facing member-states, such as climate change, violent extremism, migration, and organized crimes, among others.
The President of ECOWAS explained that this was the right time to come together as members of the bloc and solve common problems.
On his part, the Defence Minister, Badaru, said Nigeria was committed to regional security cooperation with other members of the ECOWAS countries.
Badaru, who attended the session alongside other defense ministers from across the ECOWAS community, deliberated on pressing security matters affecting the region, emphasizing the importance of collective action in addressing regional security challenges.
“Nigeria remains committed to working hand in hand with our ECOWAS counterparts to ensure the safety and well-being of our citizens,” he added.
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
