Speaking ahead of the ECOWAS Summit slated for Abuja during the weekend, he also called on Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger military leaders to withdraw their threat to exit from the sub-regional bloc.

Gowon, who is one of the founding fathers of ECOWAS, made the call in an open letter to the Heads of State and the ECOWAS member states in Abuja on Wednesday evening.

The junta-led Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have disclosed a plan to establish a confederation that will deepen their ties following their exit from the regional bloc

Ahmed said ECOWAS member states had experienced a series of disasters, crises, and conflicts that had posed threats to normal life, the means of livelihood for the people, and sustainable economic growth and development.

He also affirmed that the junta ‘will never’ release the deposed president, Mohammed Bazoum, who was taken hostage following the July 26, 2023, coup in the country.

The Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, says Nigeria is committed to regional security cooperation with other ECOWAS countries.

The chairman of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council urged the three countries not to leave, warning their exit would “bring more hardship and do more harm to common citizens”.

West African foreign ministers held emergency talks on Thursday on the political crisis in Senegal and the withdrawal by three coup-hit countries from the regional bloc.

“The ECOWAS leaders should consider imposing targeted sanctions including imposing travel bans, asset freezes and other targeted sanctions on Mr Sall and officials of his government responsible for serious violations of the democratic rights of the people of Senegal.”

“The Commission further urges the entire political class to prioritise dialogue and collaboration for a transparent, inclusive and credible election”

I WILL be surprised if truthfully, the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, is surprised by the exit of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic from the organisation. The countries had in a joint statement on Sunday, January 29, 2024 announced on their state television stations, an immediate withdrawal, alleging that ECOWAS had “moved […]

The three countries were founding members of the bloc in 1975. However, the ties with ECOWAS became severe following coups in Niger last July, Burkina Faso in 2022, and Mali in 2020.

The three countries, which have shared tense ties with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) since the coups, announced their decision in a joint statement on Sunday.

Mali and Burkina Faso said Monday they had sent ECOWAS “formal notice” of their withdrawal from the West African bloc, with Niger expected to follow.

The Federal Government said yesterday it was ready to engage the governments of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic, so the people of the West African countries can continue to enjoy the economic benefits and democratic values in the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS.