We’re ready to engage Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger — FG

The Federal Government said yesterday it was ready to engage the governments of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic, so the people of the West African countries can continue to enjoy the economic benefits and democratic values in the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS.

The government’s declaration came yesterday as international affairs experts, including former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, and ex-Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Prof. Bola Akinterinwa, described the withdrawal of the three countries from the group as a development that has set the regional body against itself, compromise trade and delay return to civil rule in those countries.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement signed by the spokesperson, Mrs Francisca Omayuli, last night, said: ”Nigeria expresses its sadness over the pronouncement by the Military authority in the Republic of Niger indicating that the Republics of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have withdrawn membership of their countries from the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS.

”For half a century, ECOWAS has worked to promote peace, prosperity and democracy in the region. Nigeria stands with ECOWAS to emphasise due process and shared commitment to protect and strengthen the rights and welfare of all citizens of member states.

”Nigeria has worked sincerely and in good faith to reach out to all members of the ECOWAS family to resolve the difficulties being faced. It is now clear that those seeking to quit the community do not share that same good faith.

”Instead, unelected leaders engage in a public posturing to deny their people the sovereign right to make fundamental choices over their freedom of movement, freedom to trade and freedom to choose their own leaders.

”Nigeria remains open for engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger so that all the people of the region can continue to enjoy the economic benefits and democratic values that ECOWAS embraces. Nigeria further appeals to the international community to continue to extend its support for ECOWAS and the vision of closer partnership, co-operation and integration.”

Recall that ECOWAS suspended the three countries in the wake of the military coups that toppled their democratically elected governments.

Akinyemi, described the exit of the three countries as a major crisis influenced by Russia to weaken Western influence in Africa, while Akinterinwa, saw the withdrawal as a case of a house divided against itself.

Similarly, Retired Ambassador Ogbole Ode said the development ws capable of disintegrating the organisation, even as West African observers feared that the exit of the three countries could compromise trade and delay return to civil rule.

Speaking in an interview with Arise TV yesterday, Akinyemi said: “We have got a major crisis on our hands. The fact that Mauritania withdrew and heaven didn’t fall, but the fact that Togo went, shows that ECOWAS is in disarray.

”While Togo alone would go either way, it shows that only Togo is disobeying a collective decision. I see the hand of Russia in this.

”I think Russia is emboldening these three countries to break up ECOWAS as part of its efforts to weaken Western influence in this part of the world, and yet Russia has not shown the capability to help these three countries to combat the Jihadists, ISIS, who are roaming wild in the Sahel. So we have a confused situation on our hands.

“We have a crisis at hand, and the reason I call it a crisis is because, in terms of landmass, that’s about half of ECOWAS, so we’re not dealing with just a little hiccup on our hands.

“ECOWAS is being turned into a confrontational field between Russia and the USA. The fact that this statement came just after U.S. Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, left Nigeria is significant and we should pay attention to it.

“Another issue is that Guinea has a military regime, but the country is not going along with these three, whether in the alliance that they have formed or kicking out the French.

“They said they’re leaving immediately. However, ECOWAS protocol says one year, and during that one year, you carry out all your responsibilities.

”With their decision to leave immediately, are you going to force them to stay or use the confusing situation to try to bring palliative into the situation?”