The Federal Government announced its readiness to initiate dialogue with the administrations of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic.
The aim is to ensure that the citizens of these West African nations continue to benefit from the economic advantages and democratic principles upheld by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
This declaration from the government coincided with statements from international relations experts, such as former Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi and former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs Prof. Bola Akinterinwa.
They characterized the withdrawal of these three countries from ECOWAS as a divisive development, one that threatens regional cohesion, disrupts trade, and hampers the progress towards democratic governance in those nations.
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by the Military authority in the Republic of Niger indicating that the Republics of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have withdrawn membership of their countries from the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS.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.”
READ ALSO: Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Announce Withdrawal from Nigerian-Led ECOWAS
Recall that ECOWAS suspended the three nations following military coups that ousted their democratically elected administrations.
Akinyemi characterized the departure of the three countries as a significant crisis driven by Russia’s intent to diminish Western influence in Africa. Conversely, Akinterinwa viewed the withdrawal as indicative of internal discord within the organization.
Similarly, Retired Ambassador Ogbole Ode expressed concern that the development could lead to the disintegration of the organization, while West African observers worried that the departure of the three countries might jeopardize trade and impede the restoration of civilian governance.
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?”
On his part, the ex-Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and a professor of international relations at Achievers University, Owo, Bola Akinterinwa, said in an interview with Vanguard: “It is good and it is bad. Articles 1B and E of the 1991 Abuja Treaty that established the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, see ECOWAS as a sub-region.
“While the United Nations considers Africa a region, for the purpose of integration, Africa was divided into five major regions: West, North, East, Central, and South Africa.
“West Africa should not be considered a region but a sub-region. In this case, in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, it is a house divided against itself. The way forward is the Africa approach. They should address what led to the problem – military junta.
”But they never considered that it was the people’s coup. They should sit down and see how they can resolve a coup supported by the people.
”A constitutional change of government should not be over exaggerated. They should stop preaching a democracy of double standards.”
In response to yesterday’s developments, retired Ambassador Ogbole Ode remarked that the decision of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) represents the climax of the diplomatic deadlock arising from military intervention in the democratic processes of those nations.
‘The announcement took most observers of the ECOWAS region by surprise. In the statement, Niger junta spokesperson, Colonel Amadou Abdramane, said ECOWAS ‘notably failed to assist these states in their existential fight against terrorism and insecurity.
”Article 91 of the ECOWAS Treaty provides that: Any member state wishing to withdraw from the community shall give to the executive secretary one year’s notice in writing who shall inform member states thereof. At the expiration of this period, if such notice is not withdrawn, such a state shall cease to be a member of the community.
”During the period of one year referred to in the preceding paragraph, such a member state shall continue to comply with the provisions of this treaty and shall remain bound to discharge its obligations under this treaty.
“Did the governments of the three exiting states comply with these provisions?
Nonetheless, the ECOWAS response to this situation was conciliatory. “The ECOWAS Commission has not yet received any direct formal notification from the three member states regarding their intention to withdraw from the community. As directed by the Authority of Heads of State and Government, the ECOWAS Commission has been diligently collaborating with these countries to restore constitutional order.”
“Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali remain important members of the community and the Authority remains committed to finding a negotiated solution to the political impasse.
The implications for the regional economic bloc are manifold. Initially, with regard to the free movement of people and goods, individuals residing in the three exit states and vice versa will find themselves with a new immigration status.
For ECOWAS, this disintegrative move contradicts the ideals of the Community’s founding. The organization is designed to integrate the economies of its 15 member states. However, political concerns seem to have taken precedence over economic objectives.
Implications on trade
Meanwhile, some observers express concern that the departure of the three founding members of ECOWAS, established in 1975, could jeopardize trade and hinder the return to civilian rule in the concerned countries, given their struggles against jihadist violence and poverty. The trio criticized ECOWAS’ “irrational and unacceptable posture” after the 15-member bloc (including the departing trio) imposed sanctions to expedite a return to democratic rule.
Fahiraman Rodrigue Kone, a Sahel regional expert for the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), noted to AFP that “the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) states anticipated an upcoming debate on the end of the transitions. Withdrawing from ECOWAS seems to put that on the back burner.”
Le Patriote, a pro-government newspaper in Ivory Coast, remarked, “Well-ensconced and enjoying the trappings of power, they (the AES leaders) wish to linger forever in their presidential chairs.”
The withdrawal will have a significant impact since ECOWAS ensures visa-free travel and the right to settle and work in member countries. Losing such benefits will raise concerns, as will the potential effects on regional trade.
All three countries are landlocked, and their primary coastal economic partners, particularly Senegal and Ivory Coast, are also members of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). This union guarantees “freedom of movement and residence” among its eight members, along with tariff-free trade on certain items and tariff harmonization and trade norms.
Nigeria, not a WAEMU member, could feel the effects of the triple withdrawal. Nigeria constitutes more than half of ECOWAS’ overall GDP and is the main economic partner for Niger, despite their poorly controlled border in terms of both security and trade. Chaibou Tchiombiano, secretary-general of Niger’s import-export and wholesalers’ union, remarked to AFP, “Even if it’s via smuggling, goods and people will return to Niger. You can’t separate Sokoto (northern Nigeria) from Konni (Nigeria)—it’s the same people.”
(VANGUARD)