Group Picture of ECOWAS Commission Officials
By Sankulleh Gibril Janko
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, announced that the regional body has yet to formalize a framework for negotiating with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger regarding their decisions to withdraw from the regional bloc.
Dr. Touray made this statement during his opening speech at the 92nd Ministerial Council Meeting in Abuja. He expressed regret over their inability to establish a negotiation framework with the authorities in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Despite efforts to soften sanctions, invite governments to technical meetings, and request for meetings, ECOWAS has not received positive responses from these member states.
“Regarding our Member States in transition, I regret to report that we are yet to establish a framework for negotiation with the authorities in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger on their decision to withdraw their membership from the Community,” Dr. Touray said. “Despite our entreaties, in the form of softening of sanctions, invitation of the governments to technical meetings, and request for meetings, we have not yet gotten the right signals from these Member States.” he stated
On a more positive note, Dr. Touray shared that Guinea has shown a willingness to cooperate with the regional bloc.
“We have however gotten positive assurance from Guinea on the unity of our Community,” he noted.
Dr. Touray also suggested that external events may have influenced some of the decisions within the region. He proposed a Special Summit on the Future of the Community to examine global developments and their impact on the community.
“It has become evident that changes in the international system, which is significantly affecting our member states, is playing a role. To this end, we are proposing a Special Summit on the Future of our Community to examine the developments in the world and their impact on our community with a view to re-think our integration in terms of governance, relations with external partners, our community norms and values, and approach to emerging issues like new technologies, social media and fake news, among others.” the ECOWAS Chief noted
It’s worth noting that Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have recently indicated their desire to withdraw from ECOWAS following sanctions imposed on their countries after coup d’etats