President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama have reaffirmed the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) commitment to continued engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger despite their withdrawal from the regional bloc.
Speaking after a meeting at the State House in Abuja, both leaders emphasized the importance of security cooperation and economic stability in the region.
As ECOWAS Chairman, President Tinubu commended Mahama for his diplomatic efforts in fostering dialogue between the bloc and the breakaway nations, known as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
“I appreciate his role in trying to bridge the gap between ECOWAS and the AES nations,” Tinubu stated, emphasizing that sustained dialogue was crucial for regional security and economic prosperity.
He highlighted that the well-being of citizens in the affected countries should remain the primary focus, rather than political considerations.
Mahama, who recently visited the Sahel nations as part of ECOWAS’ mediation efforts, briefed Tinubu on his findings and stressed the need for continuous engagement to navigate the complexities of the situation.
“We must keep the lines of communication open and explore ways to cooperate,” Mahama said, acknowledging the challenges involved.
The discussions reinforced ECOWAS’ determination to pursue diplomatic solutions amid ongoing tensions with the military-led governments in the Sahel.