Members of the ECOWAS Parliament have urged Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger (collectively known as the Sahel States) to reconsider their exit from the subregional bloc and return to its community.
Senator Edwin Snowe, who chairs the parliament’s Joint Committee Delocalised Meeting, made this appeal at the conclusion of a five-day session held in Banjul on Friday, according to a released statement.
The session, organized by the Joint Committee on Political Affairs, Peace, Security, Human Rights, Trade, Social Affairs, Gender, and Persons with Disabilities, focused on the broad implications of the withdrawal by the three countries.
Earlier this year, the trio officially withdrew from ECOWAS, accusing the bloc of straying from its founding ideals and “becoming the West’s stooge.”
Mr. Snowe, a Liberian lawmaker, acknowledged that the departure of the countries poses a significant challenge to ECOWAS, which has worked toward economic integration and development for five decades.
He stressed the importance of restoring relationships and promoting unity, citing the socio-economic impact the decision could have on the citizens of the withdrawing nations.
“We want you back. Let us come together as a team. No matter what, we agree to disagree,” he said.
Underscoring the value of teamwork within the parliament, he called on support staff to prepare for the demands ahead.
“The work we do here – there’s no good parliamentarian without all of the good staff. You can be well-educated and have all of the education.
“However, if you don’t have good staff, you don’t have a good team; you will not be a good parliamentarian,” he said.
Veronica Sesay, chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Social Affairs, Gender, Women in Parliament, and Oppressions with Disability, also called on the countries to move past their grievances and rejoin the bloc.
She emphasized the value of unity and cited ECOWAS’ involvement in Liberia and Sierra Leone during periods of conflict as a reminder of its collective strength.
“We need you people, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali back. We are a bloc; we should be working together. We’ve been helping each other, like us, who faced the war in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
“We appreciated the cause that was done by ECOWAS in their intervention to help us quell down the situation in Sierra Leone,” she stated.
Ms. Sesay further urged the countries to reflect on how their decision would affect vulnerable populations.
“When there is a problem, who faced the bulk of it? It’s women and children,” she added.
Parliamentarians stressed the necessity of keeping communication open with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, recommending an inclusive approach that incorporates both the ECOWAS Parliament and Commission.
They also advocated the inclusion of women parliamentarians in mediation processes and the engagement of other regional institutions like the African Union and river basin authorities.
Although the countries’ formal withdrawal was announced in January, lawmakers pointed out that a six-month grace period remains in effect, offering a window for dialogue to bring them back.
Reaffirming their commitment to ECOWAS unity and stability, the parliamentarians pledged to continue promoting peace, cooperation, and the unrestricted movement of people and goods in the region.
(News Agency of Nigeria)
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