Ghanaian President John Mahama has expressed concern over the complexity of efforts to reintegrate Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger into the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), stating that the situation is “not as easy as we think.”
Speaking to reporters after meeting with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Thursday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Mahama said his visit aimed to brief Tinubu, the ECOWAS Chairman, on his recent diplomatic mission to the three Sahelian nations.
“I came to thank him for the honor done to me during my inauguration, but also to brief him on my visits to Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger and update him on some of the issues,” Mahama said.
“As ECOWAS Chairman, it’s my duty to inform him of the concerns raised during those visits so we can continue engaging in dialogue with these countries.”
When asked if his mission yielded any positive outcomes, Mahama acknowledged the challenges ahead.
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“Well, it’s a complicated situation, and it’s not as easy as we think,” he admitted. “We just need to continue the dialogue and find ways to work together.”
President Tinubu welcomed Mahama’s visit and commended his diplomatic efforts to bridge the growing divide between ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), formed by the military-led governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
“I feel good that he is here in the first place. I am indeed very happy with the efforts he has made to build a bridge between the AES countries and ECOWAS,” Tinubu said.
Recognizing the security and economic implications of the crisis, Tinubu stressed the need to prioritize the welfare of citizens caught in the political standoff.
“Given the security situation in the Sahel region and the economic opportunities we must pursue, ensuring the security and prosperity of our citizens is essential,” he noted.
“The innocent people in this episode are the citizens of those countries, not so much the leadership. The citizens must be the first beneficiaries and the primary reason for our engagement.”
ECOWAS has been working to resolve the political impasse with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, whose military governments have distanced themselves from the regional bloc.
While diplomatic efforts continue, Mahama’s remarks highlight the complexity of the situation, suggesting that reintegration may take longer than anticipated.
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