President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday in Abuja emphasised that the welfare and interests of citizens in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger remain a top priority for ECOWAS leaders, expressing confidence that wisdom and diplomacy will play key roles in reintegrating the countries into the regional bloc.
During a state visit by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Presidential Villa, President Tinubu, who chairs ECOWAS, noted that the leadership in the three countries had been slow to present clear transition programmes with definitive timelines.
“Our mutual respect will guide us as we reassess the situation in these nations. I assure you, ECOWAS will not tolerate unconstitutional governments,” he stated.
“We will lead by example. Innocent citizens have become victims of military actions. Our focus will be on diplomatic solutions to ensure the wellbeing of the people without further punishment.
“We will maintain free movement and trade in the region. Although the transition programmes lack clarity, we will not hold innocent citizens accountable for the actions of those in power,” the President said, according to a statement by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.
President Tinubu further reassured the German leader that ECOWAS remains committed to encouraging a return to democratic governance in the affected countries.
“ECOWAS will always stand for democracy. Regardless of the situation, we are mindful of the wellbeing of the people. As Chairman, I am focused on fostering collaboration and leaving the door open for dialogue,” he added.
President Steinmeier acknowledged the critical role ECOWAS plays in the region and underscored the importance of reintegrating Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso to ensure economic and security stability along the West African coast.
“We discussed bilateral and regional issues, including a meeting with the President of the ECOWAS Commission. Regional cooperation is vital, as we have seen within the European Union.
“For Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, the consequences of their isolation—economically and security-wise—are severe. ECOWAS is right to prioritise diplomacy in addressing these challenges.
“While pursuing diplomacy, it is essential to prepare emergency economic cooperation plans to mitigate any further instability,” President Steinmeier advised.
The meeting underscored shared goals for regional peace and prosperity, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to collaboration.