The Federal Government has expressed concern over the pronouncement by the military authority in the Republic of Niger, which indicated the withdrawal of membership of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement made available to the Daily Sun in Abuja by its spokesperson, Francisca Omayuli, said Nigeria expresses her sadness over the pronouncement by the military authority in the Republic of Niger, indicating that the Republics of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have withdrawn membership of their countries from ECOWAS.
The government stated that for half a century, ECOWAS has worked to promote peace, prosperity and democracy in the region.
The government also said Nigeria stands with ECOWAS to emphasise due process and shared commitment to protect and strengthen the rights and welfare of all citizens of member states.
“Nigeria has worked sincerely and in good faith to reach out to all members of the ECOWAS family to resolve the difficulties being faced. It is now clear that those seeking to quit the Community do not share that same good faith. Instead, unelected leaders engage in a public posturing to deny their people the sovereign right to make fundamental choices over their freedom of movement, freedom to trade and freedom to choose their own leaders,” the government said.
While saying that Nigeria remains open for engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger so that all the people of the region could continue to enjoy the economic benefits and democratic values that ECOWAS embraces, the Ministry also said Nigeria further appeals to the international community to continue to extend its support for ECOWAS and the vision of closer partnership, co-operation and integration.
