The Technical Working Group (ITWG) on Social Protection in West Africa, has commended the authority of heads of state and government for lifting the economic sanctions against Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
In a press statement today in Abuja the Executive Director of Policy House International and Convener of ITWG Taiwo Akerele said it is a right step in the right direction. We expect full compliance from the affected countries about the conditions attached to this reprieve from the regional body for the full benefit the its people.
Akerele said: “You will recall that ECOWAS was founded on the principle of democracy, equal rights, peace, and security of the region. ECOWAS is presently implementing the Agenda 2050 framework that seeks to migrate the region from ECOWAS of states to Ecowas of peoples. The military incursion into Mali, Burkina Faso, and, Niger is a flagrant violation of these underlying principles, charters, and protocols. The economic and political sanctions are well thought out and legitimate.
“However, after a thorough review today, the authorities of heads of state have decided to lift the economic component of the sanctions to achieve the following objectives: Free movement of peoples, trade and commerce stories and goods, etc,
“The three states will now participate in technical meetings and outside of decision-making commend the H.O.S. for these initiatives and President Bola Tinubu for spearheading these efforts.
“We believe that the three heads of state of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso will reciprocate this gesture by withdrawing their threat to leave the regional block completely.
“Their exit will affect and harm their citizens thre and impact on trade and industry of their respective countries.
“Even though they account for less than 10% of the region and 14.5% of the population we still love them and they stand to benefit more from the region.
“ECOWAS is contributing significantly to their economies via anti-terrorism investment, common passports green cards, etc.
“Their citizens hold important positions in regional and continental bodies such as AFRO EXIM, AFDB, AfCTA, and ECOWAS, if they leave all these positions will be affected.
“They are like the proverbial one missing sheep out of 99 sheep we have gone to look for them to come back to the family fold. We urge them to speed up their democratic transition programs.”
