National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Ekpenyong Emmanuel
Ghanaian President John Mahama has briefed Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on his recent diplomatic mission to Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, highlighting the complexity of efforts to reintegrate these countries into the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Mahama’s visit to Tinubu, who serves as ECOWAS Chairman, aimed to update him on the concerns raised during his visits to the three Sahelian nations.
The Ghanaian President acknowledged that the situation is “not as easy as we think” and emphasized the need for continued dialogue to find ways to work together.
President Tinubu welcomed Mahama’s 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. Tinubu stressed the importance of prioritizing the welfare of citizens caught in the political standoff, recognizing the security and economic implications of the crisis.
The ECOWAS Chairman noted that “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.”
As diplomatic efforts continue, Mahama’s remarks suggest that reintegration may take longer than anticipated.
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.
