Tinubu urges Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali to reconsider exit from ECOWAS

President Bola Tinubu has appealed to the military juntas of Niger Republic, Burkina Faso and Mali to reconsider their exit from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

He gave the charge while addressing the ECOWAS extraordinary summit which held at the State House in Abuja on Saturday, February 24.

It would be recalled that the three West African countries had indicated their interests to withdraw from the regional bloc in January 2024.

They criticized ECOWAS over the sanctions imposed on them as part of efforts to restore democratic rule.

The Nigerian president, who also doubles at the ECOWAS chairman, said the regional bloc must re-examine its current approach to the quest for constitutional order in the affected countries.

Tinubu said the countries’ withdrawal requests will be discussed during the extraordinary summit.

Tinubu said: “We will deliberate on the announced withdrawal from ECOWAS by the Republics of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. In the spirit of collective security and African solidarity, we realise that the stability of these nations is intricately linked to the overall peace and security of West Africa.

“As such, it is pertinent that we engage in constructive deliberations to examine the actions taken by these countries and ensure that the citizens are not denied the benefits derived from our regional integration initiatives. In our ensuing discussions, we must put the plight of people, the ordinary citizens, at the centre of our decisions.

“Democracy is nothing more than the political framework and the path to addressing the basic needs and aspirations of the people. This is why we must re-examine our current approach to the quest for constitutional order in four of our Member States. I therefore urge them to reconsider the decision of the three of them to exit their home and not to perceive our organisation as the enemy,” he added.