Withdrawal of three ECOWAS members, neither positive nor negative- PeacePro

A Peacebuilding think tank, Foundation for Peace Professionals, also known as PeacePro, has counselled the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to delay its response to the withdrawal of three members states.

PeacePro said that ECOWAS should assess its conduct and approaches over time, its mid and long term plans, as well as its strategic interest, vis-a-vis the implications of withdrawal of the affected countries and their foreign allies before articulating a position.

In a statement by the Executive Director of PeacePro, Amb. Abdulrazaq Hamzat, on Sunday, the group explained that the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic from ECOWAS had both political, economic and security implications for the region, but the effect would be positive or negative, depending on how ECOWAS handled the new development.

According to Hamzat, the withdrawal of the trio from ECOWAS could not be described as positive or negative, as the action could have both positive and negative implications, depending on the management modality adopted by ECOWAS to respond to the delicate situation.

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Hamzat explained that this development, as shocking as it might be, could assist the region in transforming itself and becoming the necessary catalyst for West Africa’s rejuvenation.

“This is why we would advise ECOWAS not to respond rashly to the development for momentary spotlight”, adding that the body should overview its conduct and approaches over time, its short and long term plan, as well as the strategic implication before taking any position,” he stated.