WE ENGAGE IN PEACEFUL INITIATIVES TO FACILITATE THE REINTEGRATION OF NIGER AND OTHER NATIONS INTO ECOWAS – TINUBU

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu mentioned that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is engaging in peaceful efforts to reintegrate Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali into its framework after they withdrew from the economic bloc. ECOWAS had suspended Niger’s membership in December due to a coup overthrowing its democratically elected president. In response, the junta, along with Mali and Burkina Faso, declared their intention to leave the organization. ECOWAS later reinstated Niger and lifted previously imposed sanctions.

Tinubu, speaking at a conference organized by the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy, and Development (SCDDD) in Abuja, emphasized the peaceful negotiations under his chairmanship to ensure the swift return of democratic governance and membership for the affected ECOWAS Member States. He expressed concern about the resurgence of military coups in Africa and called for a policy debate to enhance global institutions’ effectiveness in addressing issues like sustainable development, peace, security, climate, governance, human rights, and humanitarian actions in Africa.

The president, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, urged participants to devise innovative and cost-effective strategies for collaboration between the African Union, the UN, and the international community. The goal is to curb the proliferation of arms and light weapons in Africa, combat terrorism and insurgency, and prevent the reemergence of military rule in certain African regions.

Professor Ibrahim Gambari, Chief of Staff to former President Muhammadu Buhari and founder of SCDDD, advocated for the reform of the UN Security Council to overcome paralysis caused by the use and misuse of veto power, as witnessed in conflicts such as those in Ukraine and Gaza.

Faruk Shuaibu; From the News Source: DailyTrust