Nigeria criticises Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger juntas for decision to leave ECOWAS
Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) - Nigeria, which holds the rotaing presidency of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has criticised the military leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger for their decision to withdraw from the sub-regional bloc.
Nigerian news outlet, Premium Times, quoted a statement signed by the spokesperson of the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omayuli, as recalling that ECOWAS had worked to promote peace, prosperity and democracy in the region.
“Nigeria stands with ECOWAS to emphasise due process and shared commitment to protect and strengthen the rights and welfare of all citizens of Member States,” it said.
The three countries, which are under military rule, announced on Sunday that they are leaving ECOWAS with immediate effect, claiming that it had drifted from the ideals of its founding fathers.
A statement read by Colonel Amadou Abdramane, the spokesman for the Niger junta, said: "After 49 years, the valiant peoples of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger regretfully and with great disappointment observe that the organisation has drifted from the ideals of its founding fathers and the spirit of Pan-Africanism."
It said the organisation had failed to assist them in their "existential fight against terrorism and insecurity".
ECOWAS in a communique on Sunday said the three countries remained important members, and the Authority of Heads of State and Government "remains committed to find a negotiated solution to the political impasse".
In a communique issued in Abuja, it said the ECOWAS Commission was yet to receive any direct formal notification of the three countries to withdraw from the Community.
The communique said: "The ECOWAS Commission, as directed by the Authority of the Heads of State and Government, has been working assidiously with these countries for the restoration of constitutional order.
"The ECOWAS Commssion remains seized with the development and shall make further pronouncements as the situation evolves."
Reports say the countries' formal letters to leave ECOWAS were transmitted to the Commission on Monday.
According to the statement from Nigeria’s foreign ministry, the West African giant had worked sincerely and in good faith to reach out to all members of the ECOWAS family to resolve the difficulties being faced.
However, “it is now clear that those seeking to quit the Community do not share that same good faith”.
"Instead, unelected leaders engage in a public posturing to deny their people the sovereign right to make fundamental choices over their freedom of movement, freedom to trade and freedom to choose their own leaders," Nigeria said.
Nigeria said it remained open to engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger so that all the people of the region could continue to enjoy the economic benefits and democratic values that ECOWAS embraced.
It also appealed for continued support for ECOWAS from the International Community.
-0- PANA MA 30Jan2024
