ECOWAS Summit: Has the conference of Heads of State lost its leaders?
The 65th ordinary session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of State and Government Conference convened on Sunday, July 7th, in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
Presiding over the session was Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the current ECOWAS Chair and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Notably absent from the gathering were several heads of state, including regular attendees like President Alassane Dramane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire and President Patrice Talon of Benin.
Speculation surrounds their absence, with questions arising about whether it was due to the agenda’s focus on the withdrawal of countries from the ECOWAS Standby Force (AES) or pressures stemming from directives reportedly issued by Paris.
Allegedly, these directives called for tougher actions by ECOWAS against Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
Concerns over potential implications and external influences, particularly from France, may have contributed to their decision to send representatives instead.
Credible sources indicate that the French leadership within ECOWAS has issued explicit directives to subordinates regarding AES member countries’ leaders.
Reports suggest stringent measures are planned against the diaspora of these nations, aiming to influence their leaders’ policies and decisions.
The complexities surrounding these issues likely influenced the absence of certain heads of state, opting instead for representation.
Despite external pressures, AES leaders remain resolute in their commitment to reclaiming African territories from imperialist and terrorist threats, underscoring their readiness to confront challenges posed by France and ECOWAS.
Neil Camara
