From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
Ministers of Foreign Affairs drawn from the Economic Community of West African States, yesterday, met in Abuja to deliberate on recent developments in the sub-region.
Top on the discussion of the Extra-Ordinary Mediation and Security Council Meeting of ECOWAS was the withdrawal of the trio of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from ECOWAS as a result of the political instability in the three countries.
The meeting also considered the political situation in Senegal, as a result of the amendment of the country’s constitution to extend the tenure of the president.
President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, said the meeting would consider the notification of withdrawal of the three countries and the wider implications.
Touray added that as a community, the current period is the best time for the regional body to stay together despite the challenges.
While stressing that ECOWAS is not an institution, but a community, Touray stated that claims given by the countries over their withdrawal had no real basis and hasty.
Touray said: “Despite our collective efforts to create a conducive and peaceful environment for our community citizens, the facts on the ground show that we still have some more work to do collectively.
“While we were hoping to make more progress on transitions in terms of elections this year in these countries, it is really sad to note the unfortunate turn of events, as three member States – Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS “with immediate effect” through a joint-communiqué signed by representatives of all three countries on 28th January, 2024.”
Touray who insisted that the claims of the three countries have no real basis, added that the decision was hasty and did not take into account, the conditions for withdrawal of membership from ECOWAS, as espoused in the 1993 ECOWAS Revised Treaty.
Faki who was represented by the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, also said it was a trying time for the sub-region.
He, however, said the AU Commission was convinced that the three countries will continue to dialogue and cooperate with ECOWAS.
In his remarks, the Minister of Foreign Affiars, Yusuf Tuggar, said the meeting provided the opportunity to carefully assess the challenges presented by the decision of the military rulers of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger arbitrarily to withdraw from ECOWAS, with all the potential implications for the lives of their people, and indeed for the community as a whole.