By Francesca Hangeior
The former Head of State and one of the founding fathers of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, General Yakubu Gowon, retd, has turned down invitation to wade into the crises bedeviling the regional body.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with ECOWAS Commission, had invited journalists to a “’press conference” with Gowon at ECOWAS Commission Headquarters, Abuja, scheduled for 12 noon.
He was expected to speak on the current state of affairs at the regional level, with regards to coups and subsequent threat by the Republic of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso to exit the organisation and perhaps, proffer lasting solutions to the challenge.
The three military juntas in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger on January 28, announced their intention to exit ECOWAS over allegation of the regional body becoming a threat to its members, being “under the influence of foreign powers and of betraying its founding principles.”
They equally accused the regional body of failing to support them in their fight against terrorism and insecurity, while imposing illegal, inhumane and irresponsible sanctions against them, following coups.
A day after, the leadership of the regional body expressed concern over the countries’ decision, worried that unelected leaders were engaging in a public posturing to deny their people the sovereign right to make fundamental choices.
ECOWAS has been calling on the three countries to return to civilian rule by imposing sanctions and denying them plans for lengthy democratic transitions.
Recently, the Mediation and Security Council, MSC, at the ministerial level, which held in Abuja, Nigeria, urged the aggrieved nations to prioritize dialogue and reconciliation.