December 15, (THEWILL) – President Bola Tinubu, on Sunday, presided over the opening of the ECOWAS 66th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja.
Held at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, the meeting discussed the exit of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic from the bloc.
The three countries earlier declared “irreversible”, the decision to quit the bloc, which they condemned as subservient to their ex-colonial ruler, France. They also formed a confederation, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), after severing ties with France and pivoting towards Russia.
Receiving the President of Germany, Frank–Walter Steinmeier, in a State Visit at the Presidential Villa on Thursday, President Tinubu said the interest and welfare of the citizens in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger remain priority for leaders of ECOWAS, assuring that wisdom and diplomacy will make the difference in reintegrating the countries into the commission.
“Our relationship of mutual respect will continue as we reappraise the situation in the three countries. What I can assure is that we will not give tolerance to unconstitutional government. We will continue to lead by example. We have innocent citizens who are victims of the military. We will continue to explore diplomatic channels to navigate without punishing the innocent people. We will continue to allow free movement and trade. Though the transition programme is not sure or certain, we will not punish the innocent citizens; they are not in possession of power”, he said
Also the German President had said the re-integration of the three countries will have significant impact on the economy and security of the West Coast.
“We will talk bilateral and regional issues. We just had a meeting with the President of ECOWAS Commission. We know how important it is to have regional cooperation. We are part of the European Union. For Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, there are serious security and economic consequences for not carrying on together. We understand why ECOWAS security members are insisting on diplomacy.
“It is not easy but you will need to use your diplomacy to keep the commission and the region together.
“While you are using diplomatic means to bring Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso to rethink their position, you should have emergency plans in place for future economic cooperation”, the German leader said.
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