The Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, says the regional bloc will continue to champion diplomacy and dialogue, as well as earnest discussions with all parties involved, to restore constitutional governance in the Republic of Niger.
The ECOWAS Authority chairperson spoke at the opening of the 2nd Extraordinary Summit on the socio-political situation in the Republic of Niger held in Abuja.
He stated that in reaffirming their relentless commitment to democracy, human rights, and the well-being of the people of Niger, it is crucial that they prioritize diplomatic negotiations and dialogue as the bedrock of approach.
He maintained that they must engage all parties involved, including the coup leaders, in earnest discussions to convince them to relinquish power and reinstate President Bazoum.
Underscoring the significance of the meeting, President Tinubu stressed the importance of a comprehensive evaluation of progress thus far.
Building upon commitments from the initial Extraordinary Summit held in Abuja ten days ago, President Tinubu recollected the ECOWAS leaders’ collective condemnation of the military coup that toppled Niger’s democratically elected government.
President Tinubu outlined ECOWAS’ deployment of mediation teams and Special Envoys to engage with key stakeholders within and beyond the region, highlighting the firm and coordinated efforts already undertaken.
The Nigerian leader also pointed to the recent meeting of ECOWAS Chiefs of Defense Staff, the meeting of the Chiefs of Staffs Committee and the ECOWAS Commission’s memorandum on current developments in Niger as crucial sources of insight to guide the decisions of the Heads of State and Government at the meeting.
President Tinubu said today’s Summit provides a significant opportunity to meticulously review and assess progress since the leaders last gathering. stressing that it is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of their interventions and identify any gaps or challenges that may have hindered progress.
President Tinubu emphasizes that it is only through this comprehensive assessment that they can collectively chart a new sustainable path toward lasting peace, stability, and prosperity in Niger.
The ECOWAS Chairperson expressed confidence that the 2nd ECOWAS Extraordinary Summit would be a defining moment in the journey towards a stronger, more resilient, and integrated West Africa.
He, therefore, rallied fellow leaders to seize this opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of Africans by fostering a future characterized by peace, progress, and prosperity.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Presidents of Guinea Bissau, Senegal, Cote ‘d’ Ivoire, Ghana, Benin, Sierra Leone, and Togo, while Liberia and the Gambia were represented by their Foreign Ministers.
Non-ECOWAS leaders, such as the Mauritanian and Burundian presidents, also attended.
Bello Wakili
