Kehinde Fajobi
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed ECOWAS’s commitment to the welfare of citizens in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, while stressing that diplomacy will guide efforts to reintegrate the countries into the regional bloc.
During a state visit by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday, Tinubu, who chairs ECOWAS, expressed concern over the lack of clear transition timelines from the military-led governments in the three nations.
“Our relationship of mutual respect will continue as we reappraise the situation in the three countries.
“What I can assure is that we will not give tolerance to unconstitutional government,” Tinubu said, according to a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.
He continued, “We will continue to lead by example. We have innocent citizens who are victims of the military. We will continue to explore diplomatic channels to navigate without punishing the innocent people.
“We will continue to allow free movement and trade. Though the transition programme is not sure or certain, we will not punish the innocent citizens; they are not in possession of power.”
Tinubu also emphasised ECOWAS’s stance on democracy, saying, “This is what ECOWAS will stand for.
“Whatever is happening in the countries, we are mindful of the wellbeing of the citizens. I don’t want to personalise issues as ECOWAS Chairman. We will leave the door for collaboration.”
In his remarks, President Steinmeier highlighted the broader implications of reintegrating the three nations, particularly on regional security and economic stability.
“We will talk bilateral and regional issues. We just had a meeting with the President of the ECOWAS Commission.
“We know how important it is to have regional cooperation. We are part of the European Union,” Steinmeier said.
“For Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, there are serious security and economic consequences for not carrying on together.
“We understand why ECOWAS security members are insisting on diplomacy.
“It is not easy, but you will need to use your diplomacy to keep the commission and the region together. While you are using diplomatic means to bring Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso to rethink their position, you should have emergency plans in place for future economic cooperation,” the German leader added.