ECOWAS pledges to reintegrate Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso — News — The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News
President Bola Tinubu has mentioned the curiosity and welfare of the residents in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger stay a precedence for leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), assuring that the regional physique is poised to deploy knowledge and diplomacy to reintegrate the international locations into the fee.
Receiving the President of Germany, Frank–Walter Steinmeier, on a state go to on the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Tinubu, who can also be the Chairman of ECOWAS, famous that management of the three international locations had been reluctant to convey out transition programmes with clear dates.
“Our relationship of mutual respect will proceed as we reappraise the scenario within the three international locations. What I can guarantee is that we are going to not tolerate unconstitutional authorities. We will proceed to steer by instance. We have harmless residents who’re victims of the navy. We will proceed to discover diplomatic channels to navigate with out punishing harmless folks.
“We will proceed to permit free motion and commerce. Though the transition programme isn’t positive or sure, we won’t punish the harmless residents; they don’t have energy,’’ he mentioned.
Tinubu instructed the German chief that the regional physique would go away the door open for the return of democracy within the international locations.
“This is what ECOWAS will stand for. Whatever is going on within the international locations, we’re conscious of the well-being of the residents. I don’t need to personalise points as ECOWAS Chairman. We will depart the door for collaboration,’’ the President added.
Responding, the German President mentioned the re-integration of the three international locations would have a major affect on the economic system and safety of the West Coast.
“We will talk about 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 (EU).”
“For Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, there are critical safety and financial penalties for not carrying on collectively. We perceive why ECOWAS safety members are insisting on diplomacy. It isn’t straightforward, however you’ll need to make use of your diplomacy to maintain the fee and the area collectively.
“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 chief mentioned.
