Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Africanews
Published on 2024-02-24 17:18:36
Heads of state from across West Africa are convening on Saturday to address the challenges facing the region and to urge three junta-led nations to reconsider their decision to withdraw from the regional bloc. The leaders will also discuss reviewing imposed sanctions to reverse the recent coup in Niger. The summit, organized by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), is taking place in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.
The future of the 49-year-old regional bloc is at stake as it grapples with the threat of disintegration and a spate of coups driven by discontent over the performance of elected governments in the region. The citizens of these countries often do not benefit from their countries’ rich mineral resources, leading to widespread dissatisfaction.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, the current chairman of ECOWAS, emphasized the importance of upholding democratic principles and promoting the well-being of citizens in his opening remarks at the summit. He called on member states to safeguard constitutional order and reassess their approach to resolving political crises within the region.
A key item on the summit agenda is the decision by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to exit ECOWAS in response to what they perceive as “inhumane sanctions.” This unprecedented move has raised concerns about the unity of the regional bloc, which has been a leading political and economic authority since its establishment in 1975. President Tinubu urged the three countries to reconsider their decision to withdraw and not view ECOWAS as an adversary.
The leaders are also expected to review the stringent sanctions imposed on Niger following the recent coup. Former Nigerian military ruler Yakubu Gowon has appealed to regional leaders to lift these sanctions, emphasizing that ECOWAS is a community established for the benefit of the people, rather than a coalition of states.
The Sahel region, a vast arid expanse south of the Sahara Desert, poses one of the most significant challenges for ECOWAS. The area has witnessed a rise in violence from Islamic extremists and rebels, leading to military coups in several West African countries. The nine coups in West and Central Africa since 2020 have been fueled by accusations of government failure to provide security and good governance.
The sanctions against Niger and the threat of military intervention to overturn the coup have been cited as contributing factors to the decision by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to withdraw from ECOWAS. Analysts warn that this move could fragment the West African region and create divisions within the bloc.
As the summit unfolds, leaders will need to navigate these complex challenges and find solutions to ensure the stability and prosperity of West Africa. The decisions made at the meeting will have far-reaching implications for the region’s future and the cohesion of ECOWAS.
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