By: Manoah Kikekon
As regional stability hangs in the balance, West African lawmakers urge Sahel nations to reconsider withdrawal, warning of dire socio-economic consequences.
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| Mali, Niger, and Bokinafaso leader |
Members of the ECOWAS Parliament have made an impassioned appeal to Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to reverse their decision to leave the West African bloc, warning that their exit threatens regional unity and economic stability.
The plea came during the closing session of a critical five-day delocalised meeting in Banjul, where lawmakers assessed the far-reaching implications of the three nations’ withdrawal earlier this year. The Sahel states had accused ECOWAS of abandoning its founding principles and becoming a puppet of Western interests.
Senator Edwin Snowe, Chair of the ECOWAS Parliament’s Joint Committee, described the departure of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger as a severe blow to the 50-year-old bloc, which has long championed economic integration and development.
"We want you back. Let us come together as a team. No matter what, we agree to disagree,"* Snowe, a Liberian lawmaker, declared. He stressed the need for reconciliation, highlighting the potential socio-economic fallout for citizens across the region.
Veronica Sesay, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Social Affairs and Gender, echoed Snowe’s sentiments, reminding the dissenting nations of ECOWAS’ pivotal role in stabilizing Liberia and Sierra Leone during their civil wars.
"We need Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali back. We are a bloc; we should be working together," Sesay urged. "When there is a problem, who faces the bulk of it? Women and children."
Though the three countries formally announced their withdrawal in January, ECOWAS lawmakers emphasized that a six-month grace period remains in effect, allowing room for dialogue. Parliamentarians proposed involving women leaders, regional bodies like the African Union, and river basin authorities in mediation efforts.
The ECOWAS Parliament reaffirmed its commitment to preserving free movement, security, and economic cohesion, urging a swift resolution before the withdrawal takes full effect.
With West Africa’s stability on the line, the coming weeks will test whether diplomacy can bridge the divide or if the Sahel’s exit will reshape the region’s future.
(NAN)