Chair of the regional bloc says ECOWAS Standby Force must ready to act at short notice.(Photo by Kola SULAIMON / AFP) (Photo by KOLA SULAIMON/AFP via Getty Images).
Nigeria, EPICSTORIAN – Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), President Tinubu, has reiterated that the organization’s hand of friendship is still open to Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
Tinubu, however despite recent rift caused by the military coups led by heads of these countries against their civilian governments, said ECOWAS remains committed to supporting them and helping them overcome their socio-economic, political, and security challenges.
The president, while speaking at a meeting with the ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence Staff on Friday in Abuja, emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation among member states of the regional alliance in addressing common challenges such as security threats, economic instability, and political unrest.
”It is in our hearts to make sure that security is enhanced and that constitutional government is defended and promoted in our region,” said the ECOWAS’s chairman.
”It has been a challenging tenure for me since three members indicated their exit. We will work hard to persuade them to return, whichever way.”
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He expressed confidence that through collective efforts and collaboration, the region can achieve peace, stability, and prosperity.
”No one man is smarter than the group of heads that is here. We will do everything to offer a hand of friendship to them and give them reasons to come back to us,” the President said.
ECOWAS assures Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso continued support and assistance in restoring unity.
Tinubu also called on the governments of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso to work closely with ECOWAS and other regional partners to find sustainable solutions to their problems, assuring them of ECOWAS’ continued support and assistance in their efforts to build a better future for their citizens
”The solution to terrorism and other challenges lies in our hands. We have to do it together,” he said. “The ECOWAS standby force must be ready. We will continue to invest in this, as well as in the economic prosperity and opportunities across our region.”
The ECOWAS Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa in his response, briefed the President on an agreement amongst the organization’s defence chiefs to collectively challenges address any imminent challenges arising from ‘insurgency and seditious plots’.
”We are aware that the ECOWAS ministers of finance will meet to discuss the issue of funding, which is another very critical aspect. We also looked at the issue of logistics,” General Musa highlighted.
Additionally, according to the State House report, Musa added that a decision had been made to deploy 1,200 troops to Sierra Leone, with countries making pledges to support this effort.
