TheCable

Nigeria has condemned the exit announcement of Niger Republic, Mali, and Burkina Faso from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

In a joint statement on Sunday, the three junta-led West African countries faulted ECOWAS for the sanctions imposed on them as part of efforts to reverse the coups in their countries.

They also cited ECOWAS’ drift from the spirit of pan-Africanism and the regional’s bloc failure to stem the insecurity and terrorism in their nations as reasons for their withdrawal.

ECOWAS said it was shocked about the development, saying it received no prior notification of the countries’ position.

Backing the regional bloc, Nigeria said ECOWAS has worked to promote peace, prosperity, and democracy in the region for half a century.

Francisca Omayuli, spokesperson for the ministry of foreign affairs, in a statement on Monday, said Nigeria stands with ECOWAS to emphasise due process and shared commitment to protect and strengthen the rights and welfare of all member states’ citizens.

“Nigeria has worked sincerely and in good faith to reach out to all members of the ECOWAS family to resolve the difficulties being faced,” the statement reads.

“It is now clear that those seeking to quit the Community do not share that same good faith. Instead, unelected leaders engage in a public posturing to deny their people the sovereign right to make fundamental choices over their freedom of movement, freedom to trade and freedom to choose their own leaders.

“Nigeria remains open for engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger so that all the people of the region can continue to enjoy the economic benefits and democratic values that ECOWAS embraces.”

Nigeria also appealed to the international community to continue to extend support to ECOWAS and the vision of closer partnership, cooperation and integration.

ECOWAS had also expressed enthusiasm for finding a negotiated solution to the political impasse, saying it would make further pronouncements as the situation evolves.