Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has said that only a united front will enable it tackle the challenges confronting the sub-region.
Addressing foreign ministers of the economic bloc, President of the Commission, Alieu Touray, stressed that a united ECOWAS was better than a fragmented group.
Foreign Affairs ministers of the group are meeting on how to forge ahead after Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso said they were leaving the bloc.
“If there is a time for ECOWAS to stay together, this is the time.
Touray stressed that as a community, now is the best time for the sub-region to stay together despite the challenges, while reminding the gathering that ECOWAS is not an institution but a community.
He said the claims given by the countries have 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.
“Excellencies, 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 noted that the claims of the three countries have no real basis, said “the hasty decision of withdrawal of membership of ECOWAS did not take into account the conditions for withdrawal of membership from ECOWAS, as espouse in the 1993 ECOWAS Revised Treaty.
“But more importantly, the three Member States have not really reflected on the implications of this decision on the citizens. “
He therefore said the Extraordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council at Ministerial level should look into the wider implications of the withdrawal for the concerned Member States and the Community at large. “
Also for deliberation at the Extraordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council at Ministerial level is the announced postponement of Senegal General Election.
Touray also condemned the postponement of the Senegal’s general elections, saying “these unfolding events in the region are posing threats to peace and political stability in our Community.”
In his Opening remark, Nigeria Foreign Affiars Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, said: “Our meeting here today provides us 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.
“We are also here to review the unfolding situation in Senegal and develop a plan to navigate the resulting complexities.
“We have faced similar crises in the past. As a region, we have not been found wanting.
“There are high expectations out there, from ordinary people as well as our partners in the international community, that this meeting can come up with far-reaching decisions to transform our challenges into opportunities. It goes without saying that we are stronger, together: as a Community we project not just our common values and a more attractive market. “
