…Junta States Yet To React
The Junta States were yet to react as at the time of writing this report, and there have not been noticeable celebration among their citizens.
Poised to mend the cracks among member states of the Economic Community of West African States, yesterday the Extra-ordinary Summit of the regional bloc announced the suspension of all sanctions on Guinea, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.
The Junta States were yet to react as at the time of writing this report, and there have not been noticeable celebration among their citizens.
The lifting of the sanctions yesterday came barely a week after the announcement by the junta states of the formation of a confederal syatem in the Sahel.
Two days ago, Nigeria’s former Head of State Yakubu Gowon who is considered as one of the the founding fathers of ECOWAS urged the regional bloc to bring back the fleeing members using diplomatic and peaceful means.
Announcing the Authority’s resolutions yesterday, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, said it has suspended the closure of the land and air border to Niger, a no-fly zone of all commercial flights.
This followed hours-long deliberations by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at an extraordinary summit on the political, peace, and security situation in the region at the State House, Abuja.
It has also suspended the freezing of all financial transactions between ECOWAS states and Niger, including transactions relating to the bloc’s central bank and the unfreezing of all of Niger’s assets at EBID.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier Saturday called for the suspension of economic sanctions imposed on Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea by ECOWAS.
Speaking at the Extra-ordinary Summit of ECOWAS in Abuja, President Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the organization, stated: “Everything we did was in hopes of persuading our brothers that there existed a better path, a path that would lead to genuine improvement of their people’s welfare through democratic good governance. And this was a path each of our nations had solemnly agreed with one another under formal regional treaties and protocols.
“However, the sanctions that we contemplated might help lead our brothers to the negotiating table have become a harsh stumbling block. In my mind and heart, that which is hurtful yet ineffective serves no good purpose and should be abandoned.
“ECOWAS was established for the unassailable objective of improving the lives of the people of this region through fraternal cooperation among all member states. This edifice was cemented on the strong foundation and apt conviction that, united as one, we can be the true masters of our destiny.”
The President further explained that ECOWAS took the steps it did based on the regional ideals of security, social stability; democratic governance, political freedom, broad-based prosperity, and sustainable economic development through fair opportunity for every one in West Africa.
He said neither hatred nor hidden motive influenced the steps taken and that there was never any intention to douse or undermine the legitimate political aspirations of any member state or to advance the interests of any outside party.
In calling for the suspension of sanctions, President Tinubu stressed that: “We must take note of the approach of the holy month of Ramadan and of Lent. Whether you pray in the mosque or in the church, this represents a time for compassion, hope, and harmony. It is a time that we must not only seek God but also a closer relationship with brother and neighbour.
“In the Spirit of the holy month and of the Lenten period, and with hearts bestirred by goodwill towards all our people, let us extend a hand as brothers and friends to those in Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.
“What I suggest in real and practical terms is that we, my colleagues and fellow heads of state in ECOWAS, indefinitely suspend economic sanctions against Niger, Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso and against the leadership of the military authorities in those nations.”
The President asked that ECOWAS facilitate the unfettered flow of foodstuffs, medicines and other humanitarian items to the people of these nations, especially to the most vulnerable, adding that for Nigeria, this will also mean the prompt resumption of export of electric power to Niger.
