President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria\u2019s commitment to pursuing diplomatic solutions to the political impasse in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, ensuring that innocent citizens are not made to bear the brunt of the actions of military regimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said the leadership of the three countries had been reluctant to bring out transition programmes with clear dates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State, however, stated that the regional bloc was poised to prioritise the interest and welfare of the citizens in the countries, affirming that wisdom and diplomacy would make the difference in reintegrating the countries into the commission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to a statement on Wednesday by President\u2019s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu spoke on Tuesday when he received the President of Germany, Frank\u2013Walter Steinmeier, in a state visit at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Onunuga\u2019s statement was titled \u2018We\u2019ll handle return of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso with wisdom, diplomacy, President Tinubu tells German President.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He quoted Tinubu as telling Steinmeier: \u201cWe will continue to lead by example. We have innocent citizens who are victims of the military. We will continue to explore diplomatic channels to navigate without punishing the innocent people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe will continue to allow free movement and trade. Though the transition programme is not sure or certain, we will not punish the innocent citizens; they are not in possession of power.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
President Tinubu\u2019s comments come only days before ECOWAS heads of state are expected to take a major decision on Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso on Sunday, December 15.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tinubu was re-elected for another one-year tenure as ECOWAS Chairman at the 65th Ordinary Session of the Authority held at the State House, Abuja, on July 7.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With his mandate renewed, the Nigerian leader appointed his Senegalese and Togolese counterparts, Bassirou Faye and Faure Gnassingb\u00e9, respectively, to lead ECOWAS\u2019 mediation efforts with Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The civilian governments in Burkina Faso and Mali and Niger fell to military control in May 2021, September 2022 and July 2023, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consequently, the ECOWAS announced economic sanctions that isolated the three states alongside Guinea, where the military took over since September 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although ECOWAS later agreed to lift some economic and travel sanctions in February, the junta-led states maintained their stance to exit the union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On July 6, Niger\u2019s General Abdourahmane Tchiani, Burkina Faso\u2019s Captain Ibrahim Traore, and Mali\u2019s Colonel Assimi Goita signed a confederation treaty which, they said, would strengthen a mutual defence pact announced last September, the Alliance of Sahel States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nonetheless, the ECOWAS says it is still championing efforts towards reintegrating the sister states into the nearly 50-year-old bloc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In closed-door talks with Steinmeier, President Tinubu said, \u201cOur relationship of mutual respect will continue as we reappraise the situation in the three countries. What I can assure you is that we will not give tolerance to an unconstitutional government.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
President Tinubu told the German leader that the regional body would leave the door open for the return of democracy in the three countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is what ECOWAS will stand for. Whatever is happening in the countries, we are mindful of the well-being of the citizens. I don\u2019t want to personalize issues as ECOWAS Chairman. We will leave the door for collaboration,\u2019\u2019 the President added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his response, the German President said the re-integration of the three countries would have a significant impact on the economy and security of the West Coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe will talk about bilateral and regional issues. We just had a meeting with the President of ECOWAS Commission. We know how important it is to have regional cooperation. We are part of the European Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, there are serious security and economic consequences for not carrying on together. We understand why ECOWAS security members are insisting on diplomacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is not easy but you will need to use your diplomacy to keep the commission and the region together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Steinmeier advised that while pursuing diplomatic routes, the ECOWAS must also explore economic alternatives for a 12-member ECOWAS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said, \u201cWhile you are using diplomatic means to bring Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso to rethink their position, you should have emergency plans in place for future economic cooperation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n