Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last elections, has reacted to the withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
In a post on X on Sunday, Abubakar said the withdrawal of
the three countries from ECOWA is “concerning and a matter of serious
diplomatic meltdown”.
The former vice-president said Nigeria must keep its
national security interest as it relates to terrorism and banditry while
appraising the situation.
“Reports about the withdrawal of three countries from our
sub-regional body, @ecowas_cedeao, is concerning,” Atiku wrote.
“It is a matter of
serious diplomatic meltdown. We must keep the country’s national security
interest, especially the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and
others in focus while we appraise the situation.”
Earlier, the three countries withdrew from the regional bloc
in a joint statement.
They criticised ECOWAS over the sanctions imposed on them as
part of efforts to reverse the coups in their countries.
“After 49 years, the valiant peoples of Burkina Faso, Mali,
and Niger regretfully and with great disappointment observe that the (ECOWAS)
organization has drifted from the ideals of its founding fathers and the spirit
of Pan-Africanism,” the countries had said in their statement.
The three countries are ruled by military leaders, who
overthrew democratic government.
In 2021, Mali temporarily pulled out from ECOWAS after the
country experienced two coups in less than a year.
ECOWAS imposed sanctions on Mali and suspended it as a
member.
In January 2022, ECOWAS suspended Burkina Faso’s membership
after a military coup led by Paul Henri Damiba, which saw the democratic
government of former President Roch Kabore ousted by mutinying soldiers.
In December 2023, the bloc suspended the Niger Republic
after soldiers led by Abdourahamane Tiani, a general and head of the
presidential guard, overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum.
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Niger, Mali and BUKINA Faso did pretty well to have pulled out from ECOWAS after being suspended because, they overthrew wrongly elected politicians who in turn connived with the west against the African countries by stealing their mineral resources. After fourteen months of military juntas in power, we could see giant economic and infrastructural development going on in those respective countries. Now, they formed a confederation with a single currency called SAHEL and they have reached a defence and economic pact between the three nations. ECOWAS and AU have been hijacked by France and the US. They dictate what ECOWAS Heads Of States and government should implement during their meeting. Sanctions against those three countries were not imposed the Africans themselves but, the west forced ECOWAS executive members to take such measures against the three African countries. .
ReplyDeleteAtiku Abubakar rightly expresses concern over Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso's withdrawal from ECOWAS, terming it a serious diplomatic meltdown. The joint statement from the countries criticizes ECOWAS for drifting from its founding ideals. The focus on national security, especially in combating terrorism, is crucial. It's a challenging moment for the region, emphasizing the need for diplomatic solutions to maintain stability and unity.
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