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Tag: ECOWAS

  • Clark hails Gowon for speaking out on ECOWAS sanction

    Clark hails Gowon for speaking out on ECOWAS sanction

    Ijaw leader Chief Edwin Clark has commended former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, for speaking out to preserve the unity of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    Gen. Gowon had appealed to the Heads of Governments of the regional bloc, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to lift the sanctions placed on Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic following military interventions in the ECOWAS member-states.

    The former Head of State, who is one of the founding fathers of the regional body, also urged the three countries to withdrawal their notice of exiting the group.

    ECOWAS has since heeded the call of the Nigerian former leader by lifting some of the sanctions.

    In an open letter to his erstwhile boss, titled: “I salute your courage in speaking out on ECOWAS sanctions”, Clark expressed his pride in Gen. Gowon’s efforts towards ensuring that ECOWAS does not disintegrate.

    The letter reads: “I join most other patriotic Nigerians to commend you for the courage in recently calling on ECOWAS Heads of States to lift sanctions on some of its erring members.

    “This is certainly a display of a high sense of responsibility, which can only come from a revered elder statesman such as you.

    “I am not surprised knowing the personal efforts that you put in towards the formation of the body on 28th May, 1975. With great efforts and charisma, you personally engaged all the regional and brought everyone under one roof.

    “Against language barriers and political prejudices against one another, especially as quite a handful, were military officers; you led faithfully in uniting all into one community.

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    “I recall with pride the privilege you afforded to me travelling, in Nigerian military aircrafts, to various countries including Senegal, Gambia, Burkina Faso and Mauritania, as your Commissioner of Information (Minister) and special envoy to canvas your colleagues to attend the summit which held  in Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. Each president or head of state, who attended the summit which took place at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos was assigned the Federal Commissioner (Minister) to look after the President or Head of State who attended the Summit at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. Brig-Gen. Murtala Mohammed, who was the Federal Commissioner for Communication was assigned to the radical Head of State, Guinea Bissau’s President, Amicar Cabral. I was assigned to President Dawda Jawara of Gambia, and the Summit was very successful.”

    “And I also congratulate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and ECOWAS leaders that have heeded your counsel as most of the sanctions have been removed following the Summit, which was held on Saturday, 24th February, 2024.

    “I do hope that this your intervention will now make it possible to arrive at amicable resolution within the body, and the three countries will now rescind their earlier decisions to leave.”

  • ‘How Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger can return to ECOWAS’

    ‘How Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger can return to ECOWAS’

    A university teacher, Prof. Amadu Sesay, has called on Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) leaders to employ tact to convince Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to return.

    Sesay, former head of International Relations at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, said those countries can be approached by seasoned diplomats to retrace their steps.

    The don, author of The Politics of Regional Integration in West Africa, said by lifting sanctions, which it imposed on the three for military takeovers, ECOWAS put paid to the threat of use of force being used to compel them to return to civilian rule.

    Sesay, told reporters yesterday that  emphasis has shifted to the search for diplomatic solutions leading to an acceptable resolution.

    He urged ECOWAS leaders to look for credible emissaries to drive diplomatic engagements acceptable to all.

    Sesay said: “I hope ECOWAS will look within its Committee of the Wise to choose those to drive diplomatic engagements to provide pathways for return of the three.

    “This is a delicate and time-consuming endeavour.The outcomes are also unpredictable, and no one should expect quick fixes because ECOWAS is made up of sovereign states. It has no supranational powers as European Union.

    “Tact and patience are of utmost importance, especially at this stage of engagements.

    “We should remember that the three countries made it clear they had taken sovereign decisions, which implies that national ego, pride, and prestige are already at stake.”

    He said ECOWAS leaders’ decision to lift sanctions, even when the three had yet to make concessions, especially on their threat to quit ECOWAS, was “right and realistic.”

    Sesay, however, said the decision also implied a sign of weakness on the part of ECOWAS and a tacit admission that it had not achieved the results, as well as their negative fallout on all sides.

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    “ECOWAS is not a supranational body, it cannot compel compliance with its decisions as Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso actions demonstrated.

    “What lifting of sanctions also implies is that the Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, once the backbone of ECOWAS’ strategy, is no longer realistic.

    “Neither is it enforceable in the political and socio-economic conditions in member states and in the region.

    “It remains to be seen how ECOWAS will fill the gap to promot democracy and good governance after that.

    “I hope the action will not lead to dramatic democratic and governance reversals in the region,” he said.

  • ECOWAS and a broken spirit

    ECOWAS and a broken spirit

    • By Kene Obiezu

    After all said and done, it appears that coup plotters in Niger Republic, Guinea, Burkina Faso and Mali will get away with only light slaps on their wrists for truncating the constitutional democracies of their countries. According to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), it has decided to lift some of the sanctions placed on the three countries in the spirit of lent and the forthcoming Ramadan period. At a time when many people are observing different religious practices as the times dictate, it is not inconceivable that ECOWAS is being lenient. But at what cost? Plus, is it really leniency, or is courage finally deserting West Africa’s preeminent regional organization?

    Coup plotters struck in Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso Niger Republic and Gabon between 2021 and 2023, all in West Africa. With the success of the coup in Guinea, it quickly spread like a contagion to neighbouring West African countries, and ECOWAS soon found itself battling a small-scale epidemic of coups.

    Now, the custom when a coup happens is to tread with caution. Usually, region and international organizations which usually intervene when coup plotters topple the democratically elected government of any country know they have to execute a fine balancing act between preventing the deterioration of peace and order, de-escalating tension with the coup plotters and ultimately, protecting the rights of civilians in the country.

    With the coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Guinea, ECOWAS found its hands full with this delicate task. The coup in the Niger Republic was something like the proverbial last straw for ECOWAS for two reasons. First, after the spiral of coups in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, it was one coup too many. Two, Niger shares borders with Nigeria where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who was sworn in as Nigeria’s 16th president on May 29, 2023 was also sworn in as ECOWAS president shortly before the coup of July 26, 2023. The president, a prominent pro-democracy campaigner who was exiled during Nigeria’s brutally oppressive military regimes of the 80s and 90s for his activities with NADECO, has a born aversion to military rule.

    Tinubu, scathing in his criticism of the coup plotters in Niger, soon moved the ECOWAS machinery against the tiny, landlocked country which also counts among the world’s poorest and cowers in the presence of Nigeria, its towering neighbour who has, however, been a benevolent big brother to the country.

    ECOWAS even threatened to invade the country, summoning meeting after meeting of its member states’ security chiefs to mobilize forces to achieve this aim of forcefully returning the country to constitutional rule.

    However, while ECOWAS fine-tuned its strategy to deploy force, the criticism at home in Nigeria and elsewhere was searing. While many argued rather constructively that force – ultimately breaching international law, could not feasibility bear fruits of democracy in the short- or-long run, many others were destructive with their criticism that Niger was about to be invaded when the coup plotters had saved the country from chaos.

    While ECOWAS strategized and aggregated opinions, the coup plotters in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Niger Republic banded, and threatened that an attack on one of them would be considered an attack on all. They also continued to mount pressure, overtly and tacitly. The height of it was when Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso chose to steal the spotlight of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire to announce they were pulling out of ECOWAS.

    It appears it was this last decision that has finally broken the spirit of ECOWAS which had grown increasingly resilient and resolute as an outbreak of coups enveloped the West African sub-region.

     This decision by ECOWAS, as lenient, benevolent and diplomatic as it sounds, is undoubtedly a deathblow to democracy in the West African sub-region region. In the first place, it was this kind of helplessness on the part of ECOWAS and the African Union that emboldened coup plotters in Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso and Niger to turn their countries into laboratories for coups after the coup. It is this kind of strategy which appears wise, but is only as useful as a wasting sickness that would give prospective coup plotters in other West African countries the impetus to execute their odious plots against democracy.

    Read Also: Giving teeth to ECOWAS Court judgments

    As democracy has come under increasing strain in West Africa, it is no surprise that terrorism attacked on all sides in other parts of the world has found sanctuary in the region. Without the granite guarantees of the rule of law and human rights which democracy provides, terrorism which feasts on the mucus of marginalization and immiseration  can only fatten itself preparatory to tearing down entire communities and irreversibly altering the lives of vulnerable women and children.

    When soldiers who should otherwise be pristine in their professionalism and inviolable in their patriotism cast away their pearls as soldiers before the swine of filthy indulgences in infiltrated and polluted corridors of power, then democracy, and security face an existential threat.

    ECOWAS has huffed and puffed since the coup in Niger Republic but very little has come out of it. President Mohammed Bazoum remains in incarceration and there is no date in sight for the restoration of democracy in the country.

    The loud cheers which greeted news of the coup in the capital Niamey have since died down to murmurs of discontent as the strictures of military rule have set in for Nigeriens.

    Military regimes anywhere are known for systematically crushing the spirits of those under them and those who oppose them. At the end of the day, they leave only broken spirits with no wish or will to challenge them. In getting ECOWAS to lift these sanctions, they may have scored their biggest victory yet, and everyone who is of West African descent should be alarmed.

    If countries in the region are ever to continue the irreversible journey to peace and development, then coup plotters whose compass only points to dark paths long left in the past, must be circumscribed to their barracks or prisons.

    To do otherwise is to risk sentencing democracy to time in unremitting darkness.

    • Obiezu writes via keneobiezu@gmail.com
  • Giving teeth to ECOWAS Court judgments

    Giving teeth to ECOWAS Court judgments

    The ECOWAS Judicial Council (EJC) held its statutory meeting in Abuja for three days last week. Discussions centred on how to strengthen the ECOWAS Community Court to effectively deliver on its mandate, and how to make the court’s judgment more enforceable in member countries to boost compliance rate. Assistant Editor ERIC IKHILAE reports.

    How to make ECOWAS Court judgments more enforceable was a major talking point last week in Abuja during a meeting of the regional body’s judicial council.

    While the meeting was ongoing, a court in Abuja made history by being the first to accept and enforce a judgment of the Community Court in Nigeria.

    For three days, eminent jurists and judicial stakeholders from West Africa gathered to retool the sub-region’s legal machinery.

    The gathering, under the auspices of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Judicial Council (EJC), identified the challenges and solutions.

    Participants suggested ways the system could be strengthened in the face of instability, threats to democracy and disregard for the rule of law.

    The EJC, headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola, was established in 2006 by the Authority of the Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS to serve as a regulatory body for the Community Court of ECOWAS.

    Besides providing a platform for the resolution of disputes between member states and citizens of the sub-region, the court also provides other legal services to West African states.

    As noted by Justice Ariwoola, the court is saddled with the task of interpreting the ECOWAS Treaty and other legal instruments adopted by the community, as well as providing legal opinions and advice to member states and individuals on matters relating to the interpretation and application of these legal instruments.

    Justice Ariwoola added that, by its activities, the Community Court of ECOWAS ensures uniformity and consistency in the application of regional laws, fostering juridical certainty, political stability, economic growth, regional integration and cooperation.

    Why ECOWAS Judicial Council?

    Although it was meeting for the first time in Nigeria since its creation, the EJC, according to the CJN, “serves as the guardian of the rule of law and the protector of human rights within the region.”

    He added that the EJC, comprising eminent jurists, “plays a crucial role in the resolution of disputes among member states, ensuring that conflicts are resolved peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law.

    “It acts as a mediator and facilitator in resolving disputes, promoting dialogue and reconciliation among member states.”

    The EJC is also working to ensure the harmonisation of the many laws and legal practices in member states to promote regional integration and cooperation in a region characterised by diverse legal systems and traditions.

    This, Justice Ariwoola noted, is being done by facilitating dialogue among member states, harmonising legal frameworks and promoting the exchange of legal expertise and best practices.

    The challenges

    Participants noted that the effectiveness of the Community Court and the EJC are being hampered by some identified challenges that require urgent attention.

    Justice Ariwoola identified some of the key challenges to include “inadequate funding, capacity constraints and the need to bolster cooperation among member states.”

    As regards the issue of capacity constraint, identified by the CJN, the meeting noted the impact of the sanctions imposed by ECOWAS on some member states on the appointment of judges from those countries.

    Due to a recent reform in the court, countries like Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Guinea, Mali and Sierra Leone were allocated statutory positions.

    Whereas judges have been successfully recruited to fill the positions allocated to Cabo Verde and Sierra Leone, the recruitment of judges from Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali has been impossible on account of the sanctions imposed on the three member states.

    Judgment enforcement challenges

    President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Omar Touray, talked about the poor enforcement of the judgements of the ECOWAS Community Court.

    Touray said the non-enforcement of the court’s decisions has remained a major issue in the effective delivery of the mandate and responsibility of the sub-regional judicial institution.

    He added: “The supplementary protocol relating to the Community Court provides a role for the national judicial institutions in the enforcement of these judgments.

    “I believe that it is time for deliberate action to be taken to address this challenge.

    “In this era, where instability and insecurity are overwhelming our community, the role of the justice sector is crucial in conflict prevention, through the promotion and defence of the rule of law and human rights.

    “It is, therefore, crucial to institutionalise a more regular meeting of the Judicial Council to ensure that the activities of the court benefit from the regular review and guidance of the council.”

    Suggested solutions

    To address some of the challenges identified, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), suggested measures to be adopted.

    Fagbemi noted that given the trying times being experienced in the sub-region, managers of its justice system should work on ways to ensure that the system meets the needs of today.

    He suggested consistent reforms to enhance the capacity of the justice sub-regional justice system to effectively deliver on its mandate.

    Fagbemi said: “As we are all well aware, we are in an era where the foundational principles of the Economic Community of West African States are being tested and this reinforces the need for the Community’s Justice System to respond appropriately to contemporary issues in order to engender justice, fairness and inspire confidence in Community citizens.

    “It is, therefore, critical that the Community Court of Justice continues to undergo necessary reforms to bring it in tandem with the current exigencies and manage the challenges associated with justice delivery in the region.

    “The court must adopt strategies that strengthen its jurisdiction, whilst appreciating the jurisdictional boundaries of the court and limiting unnecessary conflict with domestic laws of member states.

    “It is important for the court to pay attention to the peculiarities of member States and refrain from issuing orders and judgments that are practically incapable of enforcement.

    “There is also a dire need to promote and deepen alternative dispute resolution measures within the region.”

    Resolutions

    Among the resolutions reached by participants at the closed-door session of the meeting held between February 20 and 22, was the need to constitute two committees to urgently evolve ways to address some critical challenges identified.

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    The first committee is to address the inadequacies identified in the EJC’s Rules of Procedure to ensure its effective functioning and conformity with its mandate.

    This committee is made up of members from Benin, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone.

    To prevent the possible shortage of judges, the EJC resolved to recommend to the ECOWAS Authority to promptly begin the process of filling impending vacancies to avoid a potential infraction of statutory provisions governing the appointment of judges to the court.

    This recommendation becomes important because judges from three member states – Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria, whose tenure expired in July 2022, were only mandated by the EJC to continue serving as judges until their successors are appointed.

    The second committee is mandated to work on ways to improve the enforcement of judgments of the court.

    This committee, according to a report of the meeting, is “saddled with the responsibility of reviewing the enabling laws for the enforcement of the court judgments and further assess the possibility of creating Appeals Chamber of the court.

    “Among the terms of reference of the committee is also the consideration of the current admissibility criteria for potential review.

    “The committee is further required to explore the possibility of creating a pool of qualified judges to serve as appellate judges on an ad-hoc basis.”

    This committee is made up of members from Cabo Verde, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.

    Both committees are to submit their reports to the EJC for onward presentation to the Authority of Heads of State and Government for necessary action.

    Tinubu promises support

    The EJC got the backing of President Bola Tinubu.

    At a meeting with members on February 22, President Tinubu assured the EJC of the support of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State in all the initiatives aimed at ensuring effective justice delivery in the sub-region given the critical responsibility of the Judiciary in sustaining democracy, rule of law and mutual coexistence.

    Tinubu said: “We are committed to transformative democracy because we believe the Judiciary can protect democracy.

    “We are ready to support you as learned minds, who have the requisite experience and institutional memory to comprehensively reform our institutions.

    “I assure you, as the Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, that the Judiciary is one of the pillars to protect our democracy, and, it is only in this regard that we can make a difference on the continent.

    “We will work with you to ensure that your expertise is employed to promote justice in our democratic experiences on the continent and in the region.

    “You are truly the last hope of the common man across our sub-region.”

    A glimpse of hope

    While members of the EJC were strategising, a court in Abuja made history by being the first to accept and enforce the judgment of the Community Court in Nigeria.

    It was on a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by a German, Martin Gegenheimer who the ECOWAS Court found to have been unlawfully arrested and detained while exiting Nigeria.

    Gegenheimer had visited Nigeria on a business trip, but while returning to Kenya on February 23, 2020, he was stopped by men of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) at the boarding gate of the Kenya Airways aircraft after all necessary departure formalities were completed.

    He said the NIS officials arrested him, seized his passport and detained him in a jam-packed cell between February 23, 2020 and March 4, 2020 despite the Covid protocol and without acceptable food as well as medical care.

    The German, who is married to a Nigerian, subsequently filed a suit before the ECOWAS Court, marked: ECW/CCJ/APP/23/2020, to challenge his arrest and detention.

    In a March 4, 2021 judgment, a three-member panel of the ECOWAS Court, presided over by the court’s president, Justice Edward Amoako Asante, declared Gegenheimer’s arrest and detention illegal.

    The court ordered the Nigerian government to pay him N53,650,925 as special damages for various losses suffered and costs incurred while under unlawful arrest and detention by the NIS.

    The costs, the court said, relate mainly to hotel expenses incurred by the German while under forced detention by agents of the Nigerian government.

    The court further ordered the Nigerian government to pay him another N10million in general damages as reparation for all violations and moral prejudice suffered for the violation of his rights, and an additional $10,000, being the expenditure incurred by the applicant to secure his bail.

    The ECOWAS Court ordered the Nigerian government to remove the German from its watchlist and to immediately and unconditionally release his German passport, which was “arbitrarily and unlawfully,” seized by agents of the Nigerian government.

    Following failed efforts to have the Nigerian government, through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation to enforce the judgment, his lawyer, Daniel Makolo approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to have the judgment registered as a decision of the court.

    He relied on Article 15 of the Reviewed Treaty of ECOWAS, and Article 24 of the 2005 Supplementary Protocol (which amended the 1991 Protocol).

    Upon having the judgment registered by a Nigerian court, he then proceeded to initiate a garnishee proceeding, marked: FHC/ABJ/NJR/M/3/2022, for the purpose of having the judgment executed.

    In a ruling on February 22, Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja made absolute an earlier garnishee order nisi and proceeded to order the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to pay a Gegenheimer the N63.7million and $10000 being the judgment sum.

    Justice Ekwo ordered the CJN to deduct the amount from Federal Government’s funds in its custody to settle the debt which arose from the March 4, 2021 judgment given against Nigeria by the ECOWAS Community Court.

    Justice Ekwo rejected CBN’s claim that the government’s foreign exchange account was in deficit thereby making it impossible to pay the entire judgment sum.

    The judge agreed with Makolo that, as against the contention by the CBN, ECOWAS Court’s judgments do not qualify as foreign judgments in the strict sense of it and could be enforced by Nigerian courts.

    He added: “Upon a keen perusal of the provisions of the Foreign Judgments Reciprocal Enforcement (FJRE) Act 2004 it cannot be said that the judgment sought to be enforced in this case, is stricto sensu (in the strict sense) a foreign judgement.

    “I agree with the learned counsel for the judgment creditor (Makolo) that, by Article 15 of the Reviewed Treaty of ECOWAS, and Article 24 of the 2005 Supplementary Protocol (which amended the 1991 Protocol), the judgment of ECOWAS Court can be registered and enforced in Nigeria by this court without referring to it as a foreign judgment, in the same manner that the judgement of any other court in Nigeria can be registered and enforced in this court,” the judge said.

    Justice Ekwo proceeded to make absolute, the garnishee order nisi he earlier issued against the CBN, listed as the garnishee.

  • AU, ECOWAS, EU, others set for Abuja forum

    AU, ECOWAS, EU, others set for Abuja forum

    The Regional Citizen’s Dialogue Programme (RCDP), an initiative for preventing and responding to Unconstitutional Changes of Government (UCG) in West Africa, opens in Abuja today.

    Already, representatives from the AU African Peer-Review Mechanism (APRM); the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Headquarters; the West African Democracy Solidarity Group (WADEMOS); the Commissioner, Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS); and the Portuguese Ambassador to Nigeria, Paulo Martins dos Santos, amongst others, have confirmed attendance.

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    Leaders of the RCDP initiative are also scheduled to pay a courtesy call on the leadership of the National Assembly today.

    Participants at the launch of the RCDP, a two-day programme at Reiz Hotel in Abuja, are expected from civil society groups in West Africa and other parts of the continent, including representatives of regional agencies and institutions in Europe.

    The launch event will serve as a platform for participants to present, finalise and adopt a revised programme document and a comprehensive yearly implementation work plan for the initial phase of the programme, spanning from February to September, 2024.

  • ECOWAS youth ambassador Gideon Kosi gives 120 youths JAMB forms in Abuja, Warri

    ECOWAS youth ambassador Gideon Kosi gives 120 youths JAMB forms in Abuja, Warri

    An Ambassador of the ECOWAS Youth, Amb. Gideon Kosisochukwu has empowered no fewer than 120 youths in Abuja, the nation’s capital. 

    The empowerment also benefitted youths of Warri, Delta State. 

    He empowered the young students through scholarship scheme to enable them acquire education as a means of building their capacity and helping them face their future. 

    Read Also: Cost of ECOWAS’ sanctions against Niger, others

    Amb. Kosisochukwu who was represented by Amb. Dr. Temisan O. Louis CEO Mayorkings Charity Foundation said the gesture is borne out his passion to touch lives and love for education. 

    He further emphasized that the exercise will be an Annual outreach to give back to the African communities.

    The benefitting students who could not hide their joy expressed gratitude to Amb. Kosisochukwu for his kind gesture, praying God to open doors of favour for him.

  • Full list of 15 ECOWAS countries

    Full list of 15 ECOWAS countries

    The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has lifted the economic sanctions on Niger, Mali and Burkina-Faso with immediate effect.

    This followed hour-long deliberations by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at an extraordinary summit on the political, peace, and security situation in the region at the State House, Abuja on Saturday.

    Announcing the Authority’s resolutions, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, said it has suspended the closure of the land and air border to Niger, a no-fly zone of all commercial flights.

    It has also suspended the freezing of all financial transactions between ECOWAS states and Niger, including transactions relating to the bloc’s central bank and the unfreezing of all of Niger’s assets at EBID.

    Read Also: Why ECOWAS lifted economic sanctions on Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso

    The Nation reported that Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic on Sunday, January 28, quit their membership of ECOWAS.

    The three countries, which are under military rule, said they ceased to be members of ECOWAS as the regional body had allegedly “moved away from the ideals of its founding fathers and pan-Africanism.”

    But the ECOWAS Commission, in a swift reaction, said it was not aware of the withdrawal of the three countries, adding that “Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali remain important members of the Community and the Authority.”

    Checks by the Nation on ECOWAS’ website shows that the three countries are still listed as members of the bloc. 

    Here is the full list of ECOWAS countries.

    1. BENIN

    2. BURKINA FASO

    3. CABO VERDE

    4. CÔTE D’IVOIRE

    5. THE GAMBIA

    6. GHANA

    7. GUINEA

    8. GUINEA BISSAU

    9. LIBERIA

    10. MALI

    11. NIGER

    12. NIGERIA

    13. SENEGAL

    14. SIERRA LEONE

    15. TOGO

  • Concert of pariah states

    Concert of pariah states

    The thawing of ECOWAS sanctions against Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, the so called Alliance of Sahel States, echoes a Yoruba dismissal of an errant child.

    When the parent dotes over the child, the appeal is: child, please don’t kill me.  What will I do with myself if you hurt yourself?  But with a wilful and recalcitrant one, the message changes: child, don’t kill yourself!

    In a show of infantile bluffing, the three countries claimed they were “immediately” quitting ECOWAS, the West African regional socio-political bloc.  “With immediate effect!” is the military’s lingo of martial outlawry — so, so impatient with due process or  any tinge of legality. 

    Nigerians should know!  Wasn’t that what the military used to destroy the federal civil service, and reduce it to today’s shadow of itself, even when an impatient junta claimed it was fixing it?

    Kudos to ECOWAS for taking the bluff in its strides. 

    Kudos to the ever-dovish Gen. Yakubu Gowon, an officer-as-gentleman if ever there was one, and the lone surviving founding father of ECOWAS, when it was founded in Lagos in May 1975; and Gen. Gowon was Nigeria’s military Head of State. 

    Kudos too to President Bola Tinubu, ECOWAS Chair, for applying wisdom and maturity, in dealing with deluded tri-juntas, hell bent on ruining their countries — as the political military pretty much did with Nigeria, Ghana, Benin and many other countries, an avoidable condition these countries still grapple with today.

    But now that stringent economic sanctions are relaxed, and the peoples of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger can breathe, ECOWAS should never soften on its core principle: a loud no to military rule.

    The threat to apply military force on Niger to force back democracy was a region ready to do anything — almost anything — to banish the thought of military rule.  Why? 

    When the juntas misgovern their peoples — and it’s a matter of time before they do so — other West African states would take the can, with so-called Big Brother Nigeria lugging more than its fair share, with distressed people swarming its territory for passable life.

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    So, if the trio want to pull out of ECOWAS despite the ECOWAS appeal, let them exercise their military right.  But they must give the adequate one-year notice.  Even if these juntas can overthrow their own municipal laws, they must not be allowed to flout the ECOWAS law governing membership, and allied protocols.

    When the so-called Alliance of Sahel States unravel as the Concert of Pariah States that they really are, Hardball would be here to say: we told you so. 

    The snag though is that they would have again wasted the lives, hopes and aspiration of their peoples — as the political military did here in Nigeria for much too long.

  • Northern Senators’ Forum lauds Tinubu, ECOWAS leaders for lifting sanctions on Niger, others

    Northern Senators’ Forum lauds Tinubu, ECOWAS leaders for lifting sanctions on Niger, others

    Northern Senators’ Forum (NSF) has commended the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), President Bola Tinubu and other leaders of the subregional body for lifting sanctions it earlier imposed on Niger Republic.

    The ECOWAS under Tinubu’s leadership imposed sanctions on Niger to force the junta that seized power in the country to return to democratic rule.

    The NSF had pleaded with ECOWAS to lift the sanctions saying it was having a negative effect on States sharing borders with Niger.

    The Niger Junta, in the face of the sanctions had expressed its readiness to team up with other juntas in Mail, Burkina Faso and Guinea to exit ECOWAS and forms a Sahel state.

    However, on Saturday, the ECOWAS leaders met in Abuja and lifted the sanctions.

    Following the development, the NSF in a statement by its spokesman, Senator Suleiman Kawu Sumaila, welcomed the decision of ECOWAS to lift the sanctions.

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    The statement reads in part: “Today, the Northern Senators Forum expresses its heartfelt appreciation and commendation to the exceptional leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for their decisive action in lifting sanctions imposed on Niger Republic as a result of military takeover on 26th July, 2023.

    “We are pleased to see that ECOWAS has responded to the progressive requests made by us individually and collectively on the subject matter, and we commend their prudent and compassionate approach in addressing these critical issues.

    “The Northern Senators Forum believes that the principled and empathetic decision made by ECOWAS to lift the sanctions on Niger Republic is a testament to the organization’s commitment to regional solidarity, cooperation, and respect for human rights.

    “We understand that this action will go a long way in alleviating the suffering of the people of Niger Republic, as well as ensuring the restoration of stability and economic prosperity in our region.

    “We are particularly grateful that ECOWAS leaders have considered our pleas to restore electricity, open borders, and lift the sanctions on Niger Republic.

    “These measures will not only have crucial humanitarian implications, but will also foster regional integration, trade, and cooperation. We firmly believe that this step taken by ECOWAS will positively impact the lives of the people of Niger Republic and Nigeria and facilitate the restoration of trust and harmony among all member states.

    “As representatives of the people and advocates for justice and democracy, we commend ECOWAS for their responsiveness and understanding of the immense challenges faced by our fellow West African nation.

    “The Northern Senators Forum stands in solidarity with ECOWAS in restoring democracy and rule of law in Niger Republic and other west African countries, and we are committed to working to promote stability, peace, and socio-economic development throughout the region.

    “The Northern Senators Forum urges the government of Niger Republic and its people to seize this opportunity to hasten the process of returning to democratic governance to build a stronger and more prosperous nation, harnessing their resilient spirit and unwavering determination.

    “Furthermore, we urge all regional stakeholders to continue engaging in dialogue and pursuing peaceful solutions to address any remaining concern, fostering a harmonious environment for progress and development.

    “Finally, the Northern Senators Forum would like to reiterate its deep appreciation to ECOWAS leaders especially President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria for their proactive and benevolent intervention in lifting the sanctions imposed on Niger Republic.

    “We are confident that this decision will leave an indelible mark on the collective consciousness of all West African nations and serve as a shining example for resolving differences through dialogue and diplomacy.”

  • Why ECOWAS lifted economic sanctions on Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso

    Why ECOWAS lifted economic sanctions on Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso

    • Regional body says political, targeted sanctions still in force

    • Highlights possible losses to three exiting countries, citizens

    Citing humanitarian considerations, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) yesterday resolved to lift some of the sanctions it had imposed on Niger, Mali and Guinea, following the unconstitutional change of government in the countries.

    An Extraordinary Summit of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS took the decision yesterday in Abuja.

    President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, who read the communiqué of the summit, said the review of the sanctions was predicated on the biting effects of the financial and economic sanctions on the masses, especially during the ongoing Lent and the forthcoming Ramadan.

    President Bola Tinubu, speaking at the summit, asked Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger to reconsider their recent decision to pull out of ECOWAS.

     The organisation reiterated its call for the immediate release of Niger Republic’s ousted President Mohammad Bazoum from detention.

    However, the political and targeted sanctions are still in force against the countries.

    The ECOWAS had imposed a long list of sanctions on the military junta in Niger last July, following the ouster of Bazoum and his subsequent incarceration.

     Mali and Burkina Faso had earlier been hit by other ranges of sanctions before the episode in Niger Republic.

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    The three countries announced the withdrawal of their membership of ECOWAS on January 28, 2024, alleging that the regional body had come under foreign influence, which had turned it into a threat to member-states.

    They had earlier on 16th of September, 2023 announced the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States, a counter-regional organisation, said to be a mutual defense pact among the countries.

    Guinea, another member-state of the ECOWAS organisation, which has been under military rule since September 2021, also experienced a panic incidence on Monday when its military ruler, Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, dissolved his cabinet and ordered the borders shut.

    Touray said while the political and targeted sanctions on Niger Republic remain, the regional bloc lifted some financial and economic sanctions on Guinea and some targeted sanctions on Mali.

    Reading the communiqué, Touray said: “The Authority calls for the immediate release of His Excellency Mohammed Bazoom, former President of the Republic of Niger.

    “The Authority also calls on the transition authorities in Niger to provide an acceptable transition timetable to the constitutional order.”

    On sanctions, Touray said the Authority resolved to lift with immediate effect the following measures imposed on the Republic of Niger: “Closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger to be lifted, no Fly Zone of all commercial flights to and from Niger is to be lifted and suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS member states and Niger is to be lifted.”

    The Authority, he said, also resolved that the “freezing of all service transactions including utility services would be lifted.

    “Freezing of assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central banks is to be lifted.

    “Freezing of assets of Niger State and the state enterprises and parastatals in commercial banks is to be lifted.

    “Suspension of Niger from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions particularly ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) and BIRD is to be lifted.

    “Travel ban on the government officials and their family members is also to be lifted.

    “The Authority has also resolved to lift the sanctions regarding the recruitment of Malian citizens in statutory and professional positions within ECOWAS.

    “The Authority has also resolved to lift financial and economic sanctions on the Republic of Guinea.

    “The Authority has also instructed the President of the Commission to invite Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali and Guinea to attend the technical and consultative meetings of ECOWAS as well as all security related meetings.

    “The authority calls on ECOWAS institutions, member states, the United Nations Mine Action Office (UNMAO) and other regional institutions to implement this decision.”

    On the withdrawal of the three countries, Touray said: “The Authority noted the notifications by the three member states within the context of Article 91 of the 1993 ECOWAS revised treaty and urged the countries to reconsider the decision in view of the benefits that the ECOWAS member states and their citizens enjoy in the community.

    “The Authority expresses its concern over the socio-economic, political, security and humanitarian impact of the decision, particularly on the citizens of the three countries and on the regional integration process.

    “The Authority further urges the three member states to resort to dialogue, negotiations and mediation to address their concerns.

    “The Authority urges the three member states to adhere to the provisions of the 1993 revised treaty relating to withdrawal particularly article 91.

    “The Authority encourages ECOWAS to sustain its rapprochement and overtures towards the three member states and continue to remain seized of the situation.

     “The Authority or just ECOWAS to engage African Union, UNMAO, UN and other international organisations in its dialogue with the three countries.

    “The Authority encourages a broader outreach, which should include traditional, religious leaders, eminent personalities, civil society and women leaders for the unity and security of the region.

    “The Authority reiterates the urgent need for ECOWAS to expedite the operationalization of the standby force in its kinetic mode to fight against terrorism in the region including the elements of the Multinational Joint Task Force, and the Accra initiative.

    “In this regard, the Authority instructs its commission as soon as possible to convene the meeting of ministers of finance and defense to propose modalities for financing and equipping counterterrorism force.

    “The Authority further instructs the commission to develop an effective communication strategy in engaging member states and the community citizens in view of the ongoing disinformation and misinformation that put ECOWAS in a bad light.”

    The Authority expressed gratitude to Nigeria’s former military leader, General Yakubu Gowon, for “his interest in the welfare of the community and his valuable suggestions.”

    Gowon, who was instrumental to the formation of ECOWAS in May 1975, recently visited President Tinubu during which the state of the organisation was discussed.

    The ECOWAS Authority also yesterday took note of the end of President Mackey Sell’s term of office on April 2, 2024, and commended him for the “tremendous development he has realised as President of Senegal, and for his invaluable leadership in Africa and the world.”

    It asked Senegalese stakeholders to “give priority to dialogue with a view to preserving the democratic gains of Senagal, through free, inclusive and transparent elections.

    Touray said the Authority commended President Bola Tinubu and chair of the ECOWAS Authority for convening the extraordinary summit and for the manner in which he has been conducting the affairs of the community as chair of authority.”

    Asked if the lifting of the sanctions might portray ECOWAS as weak and thus encourage others with similar tendencies, he said “now, let me make it very clear. What I have listed is not exhaustive. Political sanctions have not been lifted. Border closures have been lifted. And commercial sanctions have been lifted. But there are targeted sanctions as well as political sanctions. That remains in force.

    “I think our sanctions regime should be assessed correctly. The list I have given relates mainly to Niger because all the other countries still have political sanctions on them. 

    “So the border closures, the commercial sanctions and all that are on leisure and that is what the leaders have decided to lift. But individual sanctions as well as political sanctions remain in place in Niger.

    “Now for other countries, political sanctions remain. That is the limited ability to attend ECOWAS Summit as well as ministerial sessions,” he explained

    The Authority also lifted sanctions on Guinea, inviting all four countries to attend technical consultative meetings of ECOWAS going forward.

    Highlighting the various implications of the planned withdrawal by the three countries from the community, he noted that besides losing economic, security and development benefits that accrue to member states, there will also be personal losses to nationals of the countries across the region.

    According to him, pulling out of the community might result in the halt or the suspension of all ECOWAS projects and programmes worth more than $500 million, various regional projects being executed by the region’s financial institutions, worth about $321.6 million may be halted, while they may be exited from the regional electricity market, known as the West African Power Pool project.

    He also said besides the countries losing national benefits within the region, citizens of the countries, about 130 of whom are employees of the ECOWAS, would lose their job to the exit of their countries from the community, just as seven regional entities with offices in the countries would also need to be shut down.

    Tinubu calls for suspension of sanctions on Guinea, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso

    At the opening of yesterday’s summit, President Tinubu had made a case for the suspension of economic sanctions imposed on Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea by ECOWAS.

    Tinubu is the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS.

    Recalling the circumstances that led to the imposition of the sanctions, Tinubu said: “Everything we did was in hopes of persuading our brothers that there existed a better path, a path that would lead to genuine improvement of their people’s welfare through democratic good governance.

    And this was a path each of our nations had solemnly agreed with one another pursuant to formal regional treaty and protocol.

    “However, the sanctions that we contemplated might help lead our brothers to the negotiating table have become a harsh stumbling block. In my mind and heart, that which is hurtful yet ineffective serves no good purpose and should be abandoned.

    “ECOWAS was established for the unassailable objective of improving the lives of the people of this region through fraternal cooperation among all member states. This edifice was cemented on the strong foundation and apt conviction that united as one we can be the true masters of our destiny.”

    The President explained that ECOWAS took the steps it based on the regional ideals of security, social stability, democratic governance, political freedom, broad-based prosperity and sustainable economic development through fair opportunity for each and every one in West Africa.

    He said neither hatred nor hidden motive influenced the steps taken and that there was never any intention to douse or undermine the legitimate political aspirations of any member state or to advance the interests of any outside party.

    In calling for the suspension of sanctions, President Tinubu stressed: “We must take note of the approach of the holy month of Ramadan and of Lent. Whether you pray in the mosque or in the church, this represents a time for compassion, hope, and harmony. It is a time that we must not only seek God but also a closer relationship with brother and neighbour.

    “In the Spirit of the holy month and of the Lenten period, and with hearts bestirred by goodwill towards all our people, let us extend a hand as brothers and friends to those in Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.

    “What I suggest in real and practical terms is that we, my colleagues and fellow heads of state in ECOWAS, indefinitely suspend economic sanctions against Niger, Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso and against the leadership of the military authorities in those nations.”

    The President asked that ECOWAS facilitate the unfettered flow of foodstuffs, medicines and other humanitarian items to the people of these nations, especially to the most vulnerable, adding that for Nigeria, this will also mean the prompt resumption of export of electric power to Niger.

    “In this vein, suspension of sanctions is an important but initial step. What we seek is more than the breaking of the diplomatic logjam. We must use this very moment when things seem tense and progress unavailing, to forge greater cooperation within our community.

    “We not only reach out to our brothers. Today, we say unto them — let us begin to work more earnestly together for the economic development of our people and towards confronting those modern challenges that respect no borders or boundaries. Challenges ranging from climate change to violent extremism to illegal pilfering of our precious natural resources require that we join together in progress or we fail separately.

    “As leaders of ECOWAS, we have accepted the honour and duty to draft the history of the region and its people during our tenure in office. We have also accepted the honour and duty to reach out to our brothers, letting them know this regional home belongs to us all. I shall do my utmost in this regard. I humbly beseech that you do the same.

    “For these reasons, we must suspend sanctions and return to brotherly dialogue. I call on the leadership in Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, and Niger to embrace the hand extended.”