President Bola Tinubu, in his role as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has received a detailed briefing from former Ghanaian President John Mahama regarding his diplomatic efforts to reintegrate Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso into the regional bloc.
Mahama recently visited the three Sahelian nations, which exited ECOWAS following political tensions stemming from military takeovers and subsequent sanctions imposed by the bloc. His visits aimed at fostering dialogue and restoring relations between the breakaway nations and ECOWAS.
Speaking after his meeting with President Tinubu, Mahama acknowledged the complexity of the situation but emphasized the need for continued diplomatic engagement.
“I came to brief him on my discussions with the leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger and to update him on the progress we have made in rekindling dialogue. It’s a complicated situation, but we must keep the conversation going to find common ground,” Mahama stated.
In response, President Tinubu expressed his appreciation for Mahama’s efforts, highlighting the security and economic implications of the ongoing rift.
“I’m pleased with his initiative to build bridges between ECOWAS and the Sahelian countries. Given the security challenges in the region, it is crucial that we work towards stability and economic cooperation for the benefit of our people. The real victims in this situation are the citizens of those countries,” Tinubu remarked.
ECOWAS had earlier called for an unconditional return to democratic governance in the affected nations, a stance that contributed to their withdrawal from the bloc. While previous reconciliation efforts faced setbacks, Mahama’s latest engagements signal a renewed push for regional unity.