Key Points
- Tinubu says ECOWAS prioritizes citizens’ welfare in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
- The German president supports diplomatic efforts to restore democracy.
- ECOWAS insists on free trade and movement despite the crisis.
According to President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) continues to place a high premium on the welfare and interests of the people of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
ECOWAS reaffirms support for Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger
During a meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on a state visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday, Tinubu made the statement.
The president of Nigeria, who is also the chairman of ECOWAS, stressed the importance of diplomacy and prudence in reintegrating the three nations into the continental bloc.
As we reevaluate the circumstances in the three nations, we will maintain our mutually respectful partnership. We will not put up with unconstitutional governments, that much is certain,” Tinubu stated.
“We’re going to keep setting an example. Military rule has resulted in the deaths of innocent individuals. Without penalizing innocent people, we will keep looking into diplomatic avenues,” he continued.
He declared, “We will not punish innocent citizens because they do not hold power, even though the transition program is still unclear.”
Steinmeier was reassured by the president that ECOWAS is still dedicated to maintaining democratic government in the area.
“ECOWAS is an acronym for this. We continue to be concerned about the welfare of the people of these nations, regardless of what is going on there,” he stated.
As the chairman of ECOWAS, I don’t want to make the problems personal. We shall remain open to working together,”Â
German president backs ECOWAS diplomacy for regional stability
Steinmeier responded that the economic and security stability of West Africa would be greatly impacted by the reintegration of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger into ECOWAS.
“We’ll talk about regional and bilateral matters. The president of the ECOWAS Commission has already met with us. As members of the European Union, we are aware of the difficulties and appreciate the value of regional cooperation,” Steinmeier stated.
If we don’t keep cooperating, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso would face severe security and economic repercussions. We can see why ECOWAS is putting diplomacy first,” he continued.
According to Punch, Steinmeier urged ECOWAS to continue diplomatic efforts while being ready for possible future economic collaboration.
“It is not a simple task, but you have to use diplomacy to keep the commission and the region united,” he said. “Having emergency plans in place for future economic cooperation is crucial, even as we pursue diplomatic means to persuade Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso to change their stance,” he said.
