Nigeria has expressed its sadness over the withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from the Economic Community of African States (ECOWAS)
Leaders of the three Sahel nations withdrew from the regional bloc in a joint statement on Sunday, saying that it was a “sovereign decision”.
The move was as a result of the strained relations between the countries and ECOWAS following the series of coups that occurred in the region.
Reacting to the development on Monday, Nigeria, in a press statement issued by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omayuli, said it was saddened by the decision but allies with ECOWAS to ensure due process and shared commitment in protecting and strengthening the rights and welfare of all citizens of member states.
Nigeria further said it is open for engagements with the countries to fashion out a way of resolving the difficult situation so that every citizen of the region would continue to enjoy the the economic benefits and democratic values which ECOWAS offers.
Part of the statement reads, “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by the Military authority in the Republic of Niger indicating that the Republics of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have withdrawn membership of their countries from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).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 our 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 we face. It is now clear that those seeking to quit our 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. We further appeal to the international community to continue to extend its support for ECOWAS and the vision of closer partnership, co-operation , and integration.”