By Sunday Ani
Former head of state, Gen Yakubu Gowon, has charged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to do everything possible to ensure the return of three of its members, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, which broke away to form the Alliance of Sahel States last year.
Gowon made the call yesterday at a programme titled, ‘International Conference on ECOWAS at 50: A story of resilience and integration,’ at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos to mark the 50 years of the existence of the regional economic body.
The programme put together by the NIIA in collaboration with a German agency, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) attracted personalities from the academia, business and corporate world, as well as government and security sectors.
Going down memory lane, the former head of state, who was the father of the day, recounted how ECOWAS was formed, the obstacles to its formation, how the obstacles were surmounted and how they arrived at the name. He said he discussed the idea with the then President of Togo, Knassingbe Eyadema, who bought into the idea. He noted that even when some leaders, particularly Senegal and Ivory Coast expressed doubt on the possibility of Francophone and Anglophone West African countries coming together, Eyadema took it upon himself to talk to French speaking West African countries while he took up the matter with the English speaking West African countries.
“The idea started immediately after the civil war. We were in contact with every country throughout the world, including West Africa trying to let them understand the reason for the crisis and to support us to ensure that things did not go wrong.
“We discussed bilateral relations and entered into various agreements that will empower the regions to improve trade relations. The idea of forming ECOWAS came when we felt that the idea of going into every country to enter into bilateral relations is probably too tedious. We felt it would be better to discuss how to organise ourselves into our own economic bloc that would assist us.
“I approached Eyadema of Togo with the idea and he fully agreed with our idea and so we started reaching out. Initially, we were 16 countries because Mauritania was part of the discussion but it later withdrew, leaving 15 of us. So, from that day, May 28, 1975, 15 heads of state established the ECOWAS. The treaty was signed in Lagos.”
He emphasised that the aim was to promote economic cooperation and integration between and among the member states, focusing on achieving collective self sufficiency and improving the citizens’ standard of living.
On how they arrived at the name, ECOWAS, he said: “The Francophone countries, particularly Senegal and Ivory Coast wanted the name to be West African Economic Community (WAEC) but I reminded them that the WAEC I know is an examination body, West African Examinations Council. So, we later resolved and settled at ECOWAS on May 28, 1975, at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
“We had various ideologies since some were democratic governments and others were military governments, but we subsumed our various ideologies to ensure the interest of the region, which is to improve the prospects of its economy.”
He, however, urged the ECOWAS leadership to continue to engage Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso in discussions until they return to the fold. “Three countries left out of 15; that has slightly truncated the body but it is still ECOWAS. Try to woo them back gradually. We will do everything possible to bring them back to the fold.
“I believe that what Nigeria and Ghana are doing will soon yield positive results. It is also commendable that ECOWAS still leaves its doors open and I am sure they will return,” he stated.
He also suggested that when they return, a letter ‘S’ should be added to the acronym, ECOWAS, to read ECOWASS, meaning Economic Community of West African States and Sahel.
Reacting to the advice by the Consul General of Germany in Lagos, Weert Boerner, that Nigeria and ECOWAS member states should be cautious of dealing with Vladmir Putin of Russia, Gowon told him that Nigeria had always maintained a policy of no permanent enemy or friend but permanent interest. He thanked him for the advice but reminded him that Nigeria would always choose a partnership that has public interest at heart.
In his remarks, Mr. Boerner noted that ECOWAS has a lot in common with the European Union. He congratulated ECOWAS on its 50th anniversary and promised that Germany and the European Union would support the regional body with 500 million Euros to ensure peace, stability and governance in the region. “We are fully in support of regional integration in West Africa. It is also Germany’s interest to address the root causes of terrorism and instability in the Sahel and to contribute to human security and economic development in the Sahel as well as coastal states of West Africa,” he stated.
In his remarks, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the SSG commended the NIIA and KAS for putting together the event, saying, the partnership between the state and NIIAS is one grounded in mutual respect and a shared vision to advance Nigeria’s foreign policy and regional integration objectives.
He pledged his support to the NIIA saying, “As the governor of this great state, my administration has prioritized supporting NIIA’s initiatives, recognizing the Institute’s critical roles in shaping Nigeria’s diplomatic discourse and influencing policy that benefits not only our state but also the entire West African region.
“It was in this same Lagos, on this same May 20, 1975, that the historic ECOWAS Treaty was born and signed 50 years ago. That landmark event marked the beginning of a bold, audacious and strategic journey towards economic integration, peace and cooperation among ECOWAS member states.
Over the last five decades, ECOWAS has made significant strides, promoting economic integration, facilitating the free movement of people and good and playing vital roles in peacekeeping efforts.”
In his opening remarks, the DG noted that the grand celebration of ECOWAS at 50 would be held on May 28, even as he promised that 12 head states and government across West Africa would be in attendance
According to him, “The celebration is a symbolic reenactment of the historical signing of the ECOWAS Treaty on May 28, 1975 in Lagos. ECOWAS has over the last 50 years proven itself to be, perhaps, the most successful model for regional integration in the global south.
He pledged that NIIA and KAS would publish the most authoritative volume of ECOWAS at 50 after the two day event.