Nigeria, the main powerhouse in Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), is working behind the scenes to end the divorce between the regional grouping and three former members who wanted out, APA has reported.
It signals a dramatic climbdown from President Bola Tinubu who had earlier issued belligerent rhetoric against the epidemic of coups in the region.
He had threatened an Ecowas military invasion of neighbouring Niger to restore deposed civilian president Mohamed Bazoum, drawing a defiant response from the junta led by Abdourahmane Tchiani who had vowed to defend his country’s territorial integrity.
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger in January issued a joint statement announcing their withdrawal from the Ecowas after a protraced row over reverting back to civilian rule following military coups in those countries.
The three countries are currently ruled by military juntas that have reacted defiantly against sanctions from the bloc, promptly deciding to quit the 15-member grouping. Although Ecowas have since relaxed such punitive measures, the three nations have formed their own body called the Alliance of Sahel States and refused entreaties to rejoin the regional bloc.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has taken advantage of the visit by Senegal’s new President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye to enlist to meet the three recalcitrant leaders of the ”rebellious” former member states with a view to persuading them to return to the Ecowas fold.
The Vanguard newspaper reported on Friday that President Tinubu appealed to his Senegalese counterpart to bring his weight to bear on persuading Asimmi Goita of Mali, Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso and Abdourahmane Tchiania of Niger to rejoin.
Receiving President Bassirou Diomaye Faye at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday, the Nigerian leader called for an alignment of purpose and structure in West Africa to effectively address the challenges confronting the region including coups.
President Tinubu said West Africa must work together to defeat the hydra-headed problems of terrorism, banditry, human trafficking and povertyand enjoined regional leaders to make their people the point of convergence in governance.
The new admnistration in Dakar has adopted a policy of open rapproachment with all its neighbours irrespective of their democratic credentials and President Tinubu is angling to cash in on this for the regional bloc.
However, this he implied should not allow the essence of democracy to be lost when the people are not the focal point and emphasised that democratic governance, values, and constitutional order are sacrosanct and must be protected.
He also stated that critical institutions and precepts, like the judiciary and the rule of law, must be respected and observed for the sustenance of democracy.
“Constitutional democracy is what Senegal proved to the rest of the world and Africa. It is a joy to have you here; to meet the hope and aspiration of our youths. You fit in perfectly well” he told his visiting Senegalese counterpart.
“A critical time it is in the history of constitutional democracy, particularly in West Africa. What you have embarked upon, a struggle couched in freedom, is remarkable,” President Tinubu said, describing Nigeria and Senegal as brotherly nations with a long history of cooperation.
President Faye acknowledged Nigeria and Senegal’s shared values, ideals, and challenges, emphasizing that both nations have always had good relations since the 1960s.
“The good relations we have and the relations between our private sectors should be beneficial to our countries,” he said.
