Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Northern Nigeria have written to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that the withdrawal of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) poses a serious threat to security in the region and even beyond.
The CSOs, in a letter to President Bola Tinubu they jointly signed, said the withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso poses a direct threat to the collaborative efforts required to combat regional security challenges.
The letter was signed by Kabiru S. Chafe of Arewa Research & Development Project (ARDP); Abubakar Siddique Mohammed of Centre for Democratic Development, Research & Training (CEDDART) and Hashim Tom Maiyashi, Joint-Action Committee of Northern Youth Association (JACOM).
It could be recalled that ECOWAS had suspended Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger following military takeover of power in the three countries.
It said Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, particularly Mali and Niger, are critical in the fight against terrorism and insurgency given their geographic positioning and the nature of cross-border security threats.
Dated January 31, 2024, the letter is entitled, “Your Excellency, Upholding Regional Solidarity and Nigerian National Unity: An Open Letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on ECOWAS Challenges and Domestic Policy Concerns.”
The CSOs expressed concern that ECOWAS under Tinubu’s leadership creates the perception that ECOWAS might be implementing a script influenced by external, imperialist interests, particularly from former colonial powers like France.
“The withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso poses a direct threat to the collaborative efforts required to combat regional security challenges. These countries, particularly Mali and Niger, are critical in the fight against terrorism and insurgency, given their geographic positioning and the nature of cross-border security threats.”
Their departure from ECOWAS not only weakens the regional security framework but also leaves Nigeria more vulnerable to the spillover of instability and terrorist activities from these neighbouring countries.”
It reminded the president that ECOWAS had long been a platform for political dialogue, conflict resolution, and the promotion of democratic principles, adding that the departure of these three states weakens this platform, potentially leading to a reduced capacity for collective action and a diminished global voice for the region.
“This is really troubling. Such external influences, if true, could compromise the integrity, autonomy, and objectives of ECOWAS, potentially leading to decisions that do not align with the collective interests of West African nations.”