The African Union on Tuesday said it “deeply regrets” the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from ECOWAS.
The AU said on Sunday that West African countries are moving towards sovereignty, with Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat calling on regional leaders to “intensify dialogue between the ECOWAS leadership and the three countries mentioned above.” accused of posing a threat to
He also said that the African Union Commission stands ready to “provide full support, far from external interference, to the success of the logic of fraternal dialogue.”
On Sunday, the heads of state and government of the three Sahel states issued a statement saying it was a “sovereign decision” to leave the Economic Community of West African States “without delay”.
All three founding members of the bloc in 1975 were suspended from ECOWAS, and Niger and Mali faced heavy sanctions as the bloc tried to use elections to push for the early return of civilian government.
The sanctions describe an “irrational and unacceptable stance” at a time when the three men “decided to take their fate into their own hands,” referring to the coup that ousted civilian government.
The three countries have strengthened their positions in recent months, joining forces in the Alliance of Sahel States.
‘No formal notification’
ECOWAS will issue its own statement that it has not yet received direct formal notification from Burkina Faso, Mali and the Republic of Niger of their intention to withdraw from the Community.
The Commission said it had “worked diligently with these countries to restore constitutional order.” Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali remain important members of the community, and authorities remain committed to finding a negotiated solution to the political impasse. ”
“The ECOWAS Commission remains engaged in the development and will issue further statements as the situation evolves,” the statement added.
Nigeria has room to engage
Nigeria also expressed sadness at the withdrawal from West Africa in the Sahel region and stated that it is “ready to continue to engage with the three countries.”
“For half a century, ECOWAS has been committed to promoting peace, prosperity and democracy in the region. “Nigeria supports ECOWAS to protect and enhance the rights and well-being of all peoples of its member states. “We value due process and our common commitments,” the statement read in part.
“Nigeria has worked in good faith and in good faith to reach out to all members of her ECOWAS family to resolve the existing difficulties. We hope that those who wish to leave the community will extend the same goodwill.” It’s now clear that we don’t have it.
“Instead, unelected leaders use public forums to deny people the sovereign right to make fundamental decisions about freedom of movement, freedom to trade, and the freedom to elect their leaders. He’s posing.”
