As Foreign Affairs Ministers of Economic Community of West
African States (ECOWAS) meet to deliberate on how to move ahead after the
withdrawal of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso from the bloc, the ECOWAS Commission
President, Alieu Touray said now was the time for unity among all member
states.
He said: “If there is a time for ECOWAS to stay together,
this is the time … There is no challenge that ECOWAS cannot overcome.”
Also for deliberation at the Extraordinary Session of the
Mediation and Security Council at Ministerial level is the announced
postponement of Senegal General Election.
Speaking at the opening session of the meeting, Touray said
the meeting will consider the notification of withdrawal of the three countries
and there wider implications.
Touray stressed that as a community, now was the best time
for the sub-region to stay together despite the challenges, while reminding the
gathering that ECOWAS was not an institution but a community.
He said the claims given by the countries had no real basis, adding
that it was 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.
“Excellences, 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 espoused 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. ”
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.”
AU Commission Chairperson who was represented by Ambassador
Bankole Adeoye said the withdrawal is a set back to the vision of integration
of the region.
Adeoye noted that this was a trying times for the sub-region,
adding that the AU Commission was convinced that the countries will continue to
dialogue and cooperate with ECOWAS.
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. “
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