 has emphasized that the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from the regional bloc should not negatively impact the lives of ordinary citizens in those countries or across West Africa.){kind=link}
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has emphasized that the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from the regional bloc should not negatively impact the lives of ordinary citizens in those countries or across West Africa.
Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, made this assertion during the first ordinary session of the ECOWAS Parliament for 2025, currently ongoing in Abuja. He stressed the bloc’s unwavering commitment to regional unity despite recent political tensions.
“In line with the decisions of the heads of state and government, we held an emergency meeting in April to create a negotiation framework for this exit; however, we must ensure that the people of our region do not suffer the consequences,” Touray stated.
He noted that the ECOWAS Council of Ministers convened an emergency session in Accra, Ghana, to develop a strategy for engaging in dialogue with the three Sahel nations. Direct negotiations are expected to commence this week.
Touray’s remarks come as ECOWAS marks its 50th anniversary. “This Golden Jubilee is not just a celebration. It is a moment of reflection on how far we’ve come and what direction we want to take as a community,” he said.
In addition, Touray announced that a summit on the future of West Africa will be held later this year, following extensive consultations with stakeholders throughout the region.
He also urged ECOWAS parliamentarians to initiate discussions on artificial intelligence, cautioning that its unchecked proliferation could pose significant risks to the region’s youth.
The ECOWAS parliamentary session in Abuja is set to continue until May 31.