By Ayodele Oni
Worried by the turn of events in the once united and cooperative sub-continent, the Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS), a former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon has called for a cease fire among the feuding body.
Gowon, one of the founding fathers of the regional body advised that all parties in the present logjam should be ready to shift position just as he urged the lifting of the sanctions imposed on Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic.
In an open letter to the Heads of State and the ECOWAS Member States, Gowon stated:
“I have noted with deep concern and sadness, the past and recent developments unfolding in the West African sub-region, particularly the pronouncement by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger of their intention to exit from the Economic Community of West African States.
“As one of the founders of our regional economic community, it is incumbent upon me to speak on behalf of the 14 Heads of State and Government who joined me in Lagos, on 27th May 1975, to establish ECOWAS.
“Since its inception, the regional bloc has made a number of major accomplishments, including trade liberalisation, right of West Africans to live legitimately in any country within the community, as well as successful peacekeeping operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
“ECOWAS, despite its shortcomings, has become an example of regional integration for the wider continent. Having achieved all of the above, it saddens me to learn that ECOWAS is threatened with disunity following the announcement by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, three important member states, of their intention to leave the community.
“The impact of such a decision will have far-reaching implications for the ordinary citizens who have been the major beneficiaries of regional integration.
“Therefore, on behalf of all the founding fathers of the community and myself, I urge the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, including the leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, to put aside their differences and reunite for the peace, stability and prosperity of our sub-region.”
The former Nigerian Leader, while proferring solution to the crisis, suggested that “all West African leaders to immediately consider the lifting of all sanctions that have been imposed on Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and Niger.
“All 15 ECOWAS Heads of State should discuss the future of the community, regional security, and stability, as well as the role of the international community given the current geopolitical context.”
The crisis followed a military putsch in the three West African countries, which prompted the regional body, being led by President Bola Tinubu to impose sanctions on them.
In response to this, they announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS with a bow not to have anything to do with it.
The 15-nation ECOWAS was formed in 1975 to promote economic integration in member states.
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