Kehinde Fajobi
Some West African nations that recently announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS are now making efforts to re-engage with the regional bloc within the six-month window set last December, according to the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare.
Dare revealed this on Wednesday as President Bola Tinubu departed for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to attend the 46th Ordinary Session of the African Union’s Executive Council from February 12 to 16.
The summit will include the 38th Ordinary Session of AU Heads of State, where Tinubu, in his capacity as ECOWAS Chairman, will provide a report on the bloc’s handling of the situation.
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger had announced their exit from ECOWAS in January 2024, accusing the body of abandoning its founding principles and succumbing to external influences.
They criticised sanctions imposed in response to their military takeovers and have since formed the Alliance of Sahel States, prioritising defence and mutual support while distancing themselves from traditional Western allies like France in favour of closer ties with Russia.
ECOWAS had set a six-month transition period, lasting until July 29, 2025, allowing room for renegotiation.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, had stated that the bloc remained open to welcoming any state that chose to return within the timeframe.
Dare suggested that at least one or two of the withdrawing countries might be reconsidering their stance.
“You’ve seen the military coups that occurred. You’ve seen what has come out of them and how he has managed the situation, even to the point of giving the three countries six months to rethink and reconnect with ECOWAS.
“Of course, we know that January 29 has passed. We know that the process of their departure is almost concluded, but we also know the reality—that one or two of these countries are trying to reach back and take advantage of the six-month window.
“I think that at the AU Summit in Addis Ababa, the ECOWAS Chairman will have an opportunity to brief the continental body, and, of course, some of these countries will be there too,” Dare stated.
Meanwhile, the summit will also see a Nigerian assume a Commissioner role in the AU Peace and Security Commission, a development Dare described as crucial for the country. He linked it to President Tinubu’s foreign policy efforts.
He further noted Nigeria’s influential role in the African Development Bank (AfDB), highlighting that as the tenure of the current Nigerian AfDB President, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, nears its end, other nations are lobbying for Nigeria’s support in selecting a successor.
“So there will be a lot of high-level meetings, a lot of bilateral meetings. It’s a very key meeting. Beyond that, a Nigerian will become a commissioner on the Peace and Security Committee through consensus, and that is critical for us.
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“The AU Peace and Security Commission is vital, and having a Nigerian commissioner on that body is important.
“It is also part of the gains of President Tinubu’s foreign initiatives and policies. Aside from that, we know that the position of the AfDB President is up. Several countries are lobbying.
“A Nigerian currently holds the position. As his term concludes, another candidate will need to step in, and we know that President Bola Tinubu will be one of the key figures consulted in determining who gets that position.
“In fact, it will be difficult for anyone to secure that role without the support of Nigeria and the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu,” Dare said.
Describing the AU Summit as Africa’s equivalent of the United Nations General Assembly, Dare stressed that Nigeria would be well represented with the President leading the country’s delegation.