President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to pursuing diplomatic solutions to the political impasse in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, ensuring that innocent citizens are not made to bear the brunt of the actions of military regimes.

He said the leadership of the three countries had been reluctant to bring out transition programmes with clear dates.

Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State, however, stated that the regional bloc was poised to prioritise the interest and welfare of the citizens in the countries, affirming that wisdom and diplomacy would make the difference in reintegrating the countries into the commission.

According to a statement on Wednesday by President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu spoke on Tuesday when he received the President of Germany, Frank–Walter Steinmeier, in a state visit at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Onunuga’s statement was titled ‘We’ll handle return of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso with wisdom, diplomacy, President Tinubu tells German President.’

He quoted Tinubu as telling Steinmeier: “We will continue to lead by example. We have innocent citizens who are victims of the military. We will continue to explore diplomatic channels to navigate without punishing the innocent people.

“We will continue to allow free movement and trade. Though the transition programme is not sure or certain, we will not punish the innocent citizens; they are not in possession of power.”

President Tinubu’s comments come only days before ECOWAS heads of state are expected to take a major decision on Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso on Sunday, December 15.

Tinubu was re-elected for another one-year tenure as ECOWAS Chairman at the 65th Ordinary Session of the Authority held at the State House, Abuja, on July 7.

With his mandate renewed, the Nigerian leader appointed his Senegalese and Togolese counterparts, Bassirou Faye and Faure Gnassingbé, respectively, to lead ECOWAS’ mediation efforts with Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.

The civilian governments in Burkina Faso and Mali and Niger fell to military control in May 2021, September 2022 and July 2023, respectively.
Consequently, the ECOWAS announced economic sanctions that isolated the three states alongside Guinea, where the military took over since September 2021.

Although ECOWAS later agreed to lift some economic and travel sanctions in February, the junta-led states maintained their stance to exit the union.

On July 6, Niger’s General Abdourahmane Tchiani, Burkina Faso’s Captain Ibrahim Traore, and Mali’s Colonel Assimi Goita signed a confederation treaty which, they said, would strengthen a mutual defence pact announced last September, the Alliance of Sahel States.

Nonetheless, the ECOWAS says it is still championing efforts towards reintegrating the sister states into the nearly 50-year-old bloc.

In closed-door talks with Steinmeier, President Tinubu said, “Our relationship of mutual respect will continue as we reappraise the situation in the three countries. What I can assure you is that we will not give tolerance to an unconstitutional government.”

President Tinubu told the German leader that the regional body would leave the door open for the return of democracy in the three countries.

“This is what ECOWAS will stand for. Whatever is happening in the countries, we are mindful of the well-being of the citizens. I don’t want to personalize issues as ECOWAS Chairman. We will leave the door for collaboration,’’ the President added.

In his response, the German President said the re-integration of the three countries would have a significant impact on the economy and security of the West Coast.

“We will talk about bilateral and regional issues. We just had a meeting with the President of ECOWAS Commission. We know how important it is to have regional cooperation. We are part of the European Union.

“For Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, there are serious security and economic consequences for not carrying on together. We understand why ECOWAS security members are insisting on diplomacy.

“It is not easy but you will need to use your diplomacy to keep the commission and the region together.”

Steinmeier advised that while pursuing diplomatic routes, the ECOWAS must also explore economic alternatives for a 12-member ECOWAS.

He said, “While you are using diplomatic means to bring Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso to rethink their position, you should have emergency plans in place for future economic cooperation.”

DeepSight:


What! Dont let nairalanda1 hear you oh! N1600 ke? Him go tell you say na 10k e suppose be!

Kukutente23:


That guy needs to be tied down and flogged with peppered koboko to reset his brain to default setting

Martinec:
Person wey never fulfil him fake promise to us.
.
Meanwhile at a cheap price dm me for your logo and flyer design

Bliss4Lyfe:
make seun and his mods continue to comment alone.

everybody have abandon the place for them.

nairalanda1:


Nigerian army is struggling to protect the citizens, therefore , let us protect the citizens of other countries?

Okay.

In other news, here is an example of matured behaviour on this site...




These matured men have repeatedly threatened me and abused me and when confronted lie and gaslight, gaslight.

They are now resorting to more threats.

As for me, I am amused, because it shows I am now their master.

They go to bed all night long thinking about me

And they claim to be good people, and the one who threatened to flog me is a good christian boy.

Yes, christians, see your representative. A good christian he is.

At the end, never ever let anyone build a nest in your head.

Seun, come and see o!

femisplash:
"What I can assure you is that we will not give tolerance to an unconstitutional government.”.. This statement is very instructive and most profound. Kudos Mr President.

DeepSight:


The only person who goes to bed thinking about other posters is one who spends a night quoting me over sixty times with random one liners from the net.