President Bola Tinubu has assured that the reintegration of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger into the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will be guided by diplomacy and wisdom, prioritising the welfare of their citizens.
This was disclosed by Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy in a statement on Wednesday.
He added that President Tinubu spoke during a state visit by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Tinubu emphasised that ECOWAS remains committed to fostering democracy and safeguarding the interests of innocent civilians in the affected countries.
“The leadership of these countries has been reluctant in presenting transition programmes with clear dates.
“What I can assure is that we will not give tolerance to unconstitutional governments. However, we will explore diplomatic channels to ensure that innocent citizens are not punished for the actions of their leaders,” Tinubu said.
As Chairman of ECOWAS, Tinubu reiterated the regional body’s commitment to keeping its doors open for dialogue and collaboration.
He stressed that ECOWAS would uphold free movement and trade across the region while encouraging the three nations to embrace democratic norms.
“This is what ECOWAS stands for. Whatever is happening in these countries, we remain mindful of the wellbeing of their citizens. We will not abandon them,” the president said.
Meanwhile, President Steinmeier acknowledged the critical role of ECOWAS in promoting stability in West Africa.
He highlighted the economic and security implications of the ongoing crisis in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, urging continued diplomatic efforts to resolve the impasse.
“Reintegration of these countries will have a significant impact on the region’s economy and security. We understand why ECOWAS is insisting on diplomacy, and while it is not an easy task, we believe it is necessary to keep the region united,” Steinmeier said.
The German president also suggested the need for contingency plans to ensure economic cooperation during the transitional period.
The visit underscored the shared commitment of Nigeria and Germany to regional stability and democratic governance in West Africa.
