The Presidency, on Wednesday, disclosed that two of the three West African nations, who asked to leave the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) after recent military takeovers were reportedly taking steps to return to the regional bloc within the six-month window set last December.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, made this known while speaking with newsmen after seeing off President Bola Tinubu en route Paris, France, at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiweinternational airport in Abuja.
The trip will also see the president participating in the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU Heads of State billed for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from February 12 to 16, 2025 and, in his capacity as ECOWAS Chairman, provide a detailed report on the bloc’s handling of the situation.
In January 2024, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger while announcing their withdrawal from ECOWAS, accused the regional bloc of abandoning its founding ideals and yielding to external influences, criticising sanctions imposed to reverse their respective military coups.
While commenting on the issue, Dare indicated that at least one or two of the three countries, while moving toward disengagement, might be reconsidering and seeking to realign with ECOWAS under the terms offered.
His words: “You’ve seen the military coups that occurred. You’ve seen what has come out of it and how he has managed it even to the point of giving the three countries six months to rethink and reconnect with ECOWAS.
“Of course, we know that January 29, has expired. We know that the process of their leaving is almost concluded, but we also know of a truth that one or two of these countries are trying to reach back and take advantage of the six-month window.
“I think that at the AU Summit in Addis Ababa, the chairman of ECOWAS will have an opportunity to brief the continental body, and of course, some of these countries will be there, too.”
During talks with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the State House on December 11, 2024, Tinubu affirmed that Nigeria would pursue diplomatic solutions to the political impasse in the three countries, ensuring innocent citizens were not unduly punished for the actions of military regimes.
As of February 2024, the remaining ECOWAS member states were Benin Republic, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
Additionally, Dare highlighted a key development in which a Nigerian national will assume a Commissioner role on the AU’s Peace and Security Commission – a move he called critical for Nigeria.
He attributed this achievement in part to the President’s foreign initiatives and policies.
The SA also alluded to the influential position Nigeria holds concerning the African Development Bank leadership, as the term of the current Nigerian occupant, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, concludes, other countries would seek Nigeria’s backing for potential successors, recognising that support from Nigeria and its president was essential.
“So, there will be a lot of high-level meetings, a lot of bilateral meetings. It’s a very key meeting. Beyond that, a Nigerian will become a commissioner on the peace and security committee through consensus, and that is critical for us. The AU Peace and Security Commission is critical, and having a Nigerian commissioner on that body is vital.
“It is also part of the gains of President Tinubu’s foreign initiatives and policies. Aside from that, we know that the position of the AFDB president is up. We have several countries lobbying. A Nigerian is there now.
“As he rounds off, another person will have to go there, and we know that President Bola Tinubu will be one of the key presidents, who will be sought out to determine who gets that position.
“In fact, it will be difficult for anyone to get that position without the support of Nigeria and the stamp of President Bola Tinubu.”
Dare described the AU Summit—officially the 46th General Session, alongside the 38th meeting of AU Heads of State and Government—as Africa’s equivalent to the United Nations General Assembly, where Nigeria will be fully represented by the President and his delegation.
“So, the AU meeting is always big. It is our United Nations, just like when you go to New York every September. This one is in Addis Ababa; the 46th General Session and the 38th for the head of state and government are critical. I’m sure that we will have a full complement with the president leading Nigeria’s team to Addis Ababa,” he further stated.
Deji Elumoye
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