Lift Sanctions On Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali And Niger Pres. Tinubu Tells ECOWAS
Tinubu requests the ECOWAS to remove the sanctions against Guinea, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
The economic sanctions against Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea have been called for to be lifted by ECOWAS, according to President Bola Tinubu.
ECOWAS imposed the sanctions following the unconstitutional changes in government in the West African countries as soldiers executed successful coups.
However, Mr. Tinubu claimed that the sanctions had failed.
“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,” the Nigerian leader and ECOWAS chair said.
According to a release from his office, the Nigerian president delivered a speech on Saturday at the ECOWAS Extra-Ordinary Summit in Abuja.
Pres. Tinubu's appointment was announced a few weeks after Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS. The three nations, who are presently under putschist leadership, cited the ECOWAS sanctions as the main factor in their decision.
It is unclear whether Mr. Tinubu's colleagues will respond to his call or whether such a resolution will be sufficient to persuade Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to change course. The ECOWAS leaders meeting was still ongoing at the time of this report.
Below is a link to the spokesperson for Mr. Tinubu's complete statement.
PRESIDENT TINUBU CALLS FOR SUSPENSION OF SANCTIONS ON GUINEA, MALI, NIGER, AND BURKINA FASO
President Bola Tinubu has demanded that the ECOWAS lift the economic sanctions against Guinea, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
President Tinubu, the organization's Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government, said during the Extra-Ordinary Summit of ECOWAS on Saturday in Abuja that:
“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 pursuant to formal regional treaty and protocol.
“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 went on to say that the actions taken by ECOWAS were motivated by the regional goals of social stability, democratic governance, political freedom, widespread prosperity, and sustainable economic growth achieved by providing equal opportunities to all West Africans.
He stated that neither hatred nor a covert agenda had an impact on the actions done and that no member state's rightful political ambitions were ever intended to be subdued or undermined in favor of the interests of an outside party.
When he demanded that the sanctions be lifted, President Tinubu emphasized 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 requested that ECOWAS help the people of these countries, especially the most vulnerable, have unrestricted access to food, medicine, and other humanitarian supplies. Nigeria will also benefit from this by quickly starting to export electricity to Niger.
“In this vein, suspension of sanctions is an important but initial step. What we seek is more than the breaking of the diplomatic logjam. We must use this very moment when things seem tense and progress unavailing, to forge greater cooperation within our community.
“We not only reach out to our brothers. Today, we say unto them - let us begin to work more earnestly together for the economic development of our people and towards confronting those modern challenges that respect no borders or boundaries. Challenges ranging from climate change to violent extremism to illegal pilfering of our precious natural resources require that we join together in progress or we fail separately.
“As leaders of ECOWAS, we have accepted the honour and duty to draft the history of the region and its people during our tenure in office. We have also accepted the honour and duty to reach out to our brothers, letting them know this regional home belongs to us all. I shall do my utmost in this regard. I humbly beseech that you do the same.
“For these reasons, we must suspend sanctions and return to brotherly dialogue. I call on the leadership in Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, and Niger to embrace the hand extended,” the President stated.
Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity)
February 24, 2024
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