Nigeria, the current chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), fired back Monday at the recent withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from the regional bloc.
In a strongly worded statement, Nigeria’s foreign ministry accused the military-led governments of the three nations of lacking “good faith” in their decision, further deepening the political rift in West Africa.
The joint withdrawal announcement on Sunday sent shockwaves through the region, marking the first time in ECOWAS’s nearly 50-year history that member states have chosen to leave.
The three countries cited frustration with perceived ineffectiveness and “inhumane” economic sanctions imposed by ECOWAS in response to their recent coups.
Nigeria’s statement directly challenged these claims, arguing that ECOWAS has consistently condemned the coups and sought peaceful resolutions.
Instead, it painted the withdrawal as a calculated move by the juntas to avoid pressure for democratic transitions.
“This decision,” the statement declared, “smacks of a brazen attempt to undermine the authority of ECOWAS and its commitment to upholding democratic principles.”
The fallout from the withdrawal promises to have significant repercussions for West Africa.
ECOWAS has historically played a crucial role in fostering regional stability and economic integration.
Its collapse could exacerbate existing security challenges and further stall development efforts across the region.
Nigeria, as the leading voice within ECOWAS, now faces the delicate task of navigating the crisis.
Its statement emphasized a continued commitment to dialogue and regional unity, urging the three countries to reconsider their decision.
“We believe that the path to lasting solutions lies in constructive engagement and adherence to the fundamental principles upon which ECOWAS was built,” it concluded.