ECOWAS : Heads of state address regional situation in extraordinary summit on february 24th
Given the urgency of the regional situation marked by a succession of unforeseen events in recent weeks, the Heads of State and Government members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will hold an extraordinary summit in Abuja on Saturday, February 24, 2024.
The meeting will specifically aim to examine « the political and security situation in the sub-region » following the withdrawal of ECOWAS from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger; the three countries having formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) since last September.
After sanctions, it’s time for reflection, especially since the states under these punitive measures for staging coups d’état announced their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS at the end of January.
Bola Tinubu, the current president of the sub-regional organization, and his counterparts will gather on Saturday, February 24th, in Abuja, Nigeria, with the agenda to examine the sociopolitical, security, and diplomatic situation in the sub-region following the announced divorce by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, all led by military powers.
The lifting of economic sanctions imposed on Niamey could also be discussed, especially with the approach of the Ramadan month, especially since the expected results have not been achieved, as recently mentioned by Beninese President Patrice Talon.
Indeed, the withdrawal of the Sahel States Alliance (AES) countries from ECOWAS remains a matter of paramount interest for the sub-regional organization, which struggles to harmonize its position. According to sources close to the presidency of the Commission of the regional institution and reported by some media, no one applauds the decision of Mali, Niger, and Burkina, which consider « extending a hand to them to remain in the organization ».
Thus, during the announced summit, the heads of state will be briefed on the advantages and potential consequences of this withdrawal, to finally define and display the course of action in response to this exceptional situation.
ECOWAS intends to achieve this by making concessions. Therefore, the meeting will also be an opportunity to discuss a possible lifting of sanctions against Niger, the only country in the group that, according to a diplomat’s expression, « remains punished for reasons of coups d’état ». The lifting of sanctions against Niger, strongly supported by some Heads of State in the region such as Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé, could put a damper on negotiations to encourage AES members to reconsider their decision, according to some diplomatic sources.
In addition to the discussions, ECOWAS will also address the political situation in Senegal, which has entered into socio-political instability, voted by parliament on the initiative of President Macky Sall.
The sub-regional organization, which has expressed its opposition to any unconstitutional act and called for the holding of presidential elections as soon as possible, will certainly continue on this path in its decision-making and put pressure on the country’s leaders.
