Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu says the unity and cohesion of West Africa remains supreme and must not be compromised.
He disclosed this at the inauguration ceremony of the 6th legislature of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city.
President Tinubu who performed the duty as the current Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government called on the Community Parliament to work towards preserving the unity of ECOWAS.
“I appeal to you to really work hard on unity and cohesion for the prosperity of the West African region.
“Honourable members, as we inaugurate the 6th legislature, it is evident that we face profound challenges in our region that demands our unified effort. Recent political developments have consequential effect on each of our member states.
“Three member states considering withdrawal from the community is a challenge to us, we must preserve the unity and integrity of our organization, the ball is in your court as well as mine.
“At this critical juncture, regional solidarity is imperative to strengthening our resilience and effectiveness as a bloc particularly against forces that aim to divide us; we must not allow this to happen, we cannot afford to remain passive as ordinary spectators while our community faces the threat of disintegration we stand united against such forces and are committed to ensuring that our unity remain unshaken,” he said.
While appealing to the trio of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to reconsider their stance as their exit could spell far-reaching consequences for their citizens as well as the region, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray said, the threat of leaving the regional bloc was not the wise decision.
In January this year, the three countries announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS, following disagreements with the regional body over military coups in the three countries.
Dr.Touray lamented the consequences of the decision of the three countries to quit the bloc on their citizens, especially on ECOWAS institutions and advised them to reconsider their decision, even as he called for strengthening of democracy in the region not only through periodic elections but by accountability
Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have no representatives in the 6th legislature likely due to their intention to exit the bloc.
