ECOWAS engaging third parties to resolve dispute with Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso – Official

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has said it is involving third parties to resolve its differences with three “important members” —Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger—who have indicated interest to leave the bloc.

The ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, disclosed this yesterday during a press conference at the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja.

While noting that all financial and economic sanctions have been lifted on the three countries, he said other measures were being deployed to make them see reasons to remain in ECOWAS.

“There are various engagements also going on, not only by ECOWAS but by third parties, all that in order for all of us to find a common ground with these countries.

“We are just waiting for the three member states, who I must repeat, are all important members of ECOWAS. And without them, it is going to be more difficult to deal with many of the challenges facing the region. You know the issue of terrorism and the Sahel, and our collective goal in terms of free movement of people, and all that.

“We saw the indirect impact of the sanctions that were imposed on ordinary people who trade across borders. ECOWAS is a listening institution. Heads of states have listened to the population and taken appropriate measures. The ball is now in the court of our member states - the three countries,” he said.

Reacting to the decision of the three countries to establish a joint security outfit to fight jihadist groups in the countries, the ECOWAS official said it was a good development, adding that the organisation was ready to encourage any effort that would help tackle insecurity in the region.

He, however, said it didn’t mean the three countries were no longer part of the regional bloc.

The military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, on January 28, announced their withdrawal from the West African bloc, citing several reasons.

To keep them in the fold, on February 24, 2024 , ECOWAS lifted the economic sanctions imposed on them following long hours of deliberation by the regional leaders at an extraordinary summit on the political, peace and security situation in the sub-region.