Niger Republic’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani, declared on Saturday that his country, along with Mali and Burkina Faso, has “irrevocably turned their backs” on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
He disclosed this in Niamey, the capital of Niger Republic, at the opening of a summit between the three Sahelian nations, which pulled out of the larger group earlier this year.
“Our people have irrevocably turned their backs on ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States),” Tiani said.
Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, expressed concern on Thursday that despite multiple efforts by the regional bloc, Niger Republic, Mali, and Burkina Faso show no intention of rejoining.
Speaking at the 92nd Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers in Abuja, Touray noted that ECOWAS has yet to set up a negotiation framework with these countries to address their withdrawal.
On January 28, the three military juntas in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger announced they would leave the ECOWAS.
“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,” Touray said.
West Africa faces a split this weekend as two presidential summits are set: one in Niger with Sahel region military leaders, and another in Nigeria on Sunday featuring leaders from a broader economic bloc.
Get instant and latest news updates via Our WhatsApp Community or Google News online channel.