ECOWAS-AES : Faure Gnassingbé and Alassane Ouattara seeking a solution
The Togolese Head of State, His Excellency Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, made a brief visit to Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire with his Ivorian counterpart President Alassane Ouattara. The two Heads of State discussed the evolution of ongoing socio-political and security situations in West Africa, particularly the decision of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to withdraw from ECOWAS.
With the Togolese president, Alassane Ouattara discussed important bilateral and multilateral issues before reviewing the socio-political and security situation in the sub-region, marked by crises. They then concluded on the need to reassess strategies for managing and resolving these crises. « It was a difficult discussion because the problems are. Our region has never experienced such trials…. We are concerned about the humanitarian situation in the various countries, and we have questioned the need to review our crisis management and resolution strategy », acknowledged Faure Gnassingbé at the end of the tête-à-tête with Alassane Ouattara.
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have decided to withdraw from ECOWAS, accusing the organization of abandoning its initial objectives and being at the service of foreign powers. Subsequently, they formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The two Heads of State will certainly consider the implications of this decision by the three Sahelian States, which seem unwilling to reverse their decision.
« We are concerned about the decision made by our brothers to leave ECOWAS. We believe that dialogue is always possible. We must not stop talking until we find a solution », said Mr. Gnassingbé.
Regarding the situation in Niger, in particular, the Togolese president indicated that he sensed his Ivorian counterpart’s concern about the fate of the suffering populations and of Mohamed Bazoum, the deposed Head of State. Mr. Gnassingbé then argued that sanctions do not solve the problem.
« The status quo, the immobility we are experiencing today is no longer possible. We must find a solution at the level of the entire organization…. We are hopeful that we will eventually find a solution to everyone’s satisfaction…. It is about having a regional space that regains peace, security, and populations freely pursuing their activities », Faure Gnassingbé reiterated. The Togolese Head of State went to Abidjan, accompanied notably by his ministers of public service, Gilbert Bawara, and agriculture, Antoine Lekpa Gbegbeni.
