ECOWAS: Senegalese President vows talks with Niger, Mali

The President of Senegal, Bassirou Faye, has vowed to reopen talks with the military juntas of Niger, Mali and Burkina-Faso to reintegrate them into the Economic Community of West African States.

This followed President Bola Tinubu’s appeal for renewed efforts to negotiate the return of the sister counties into the regional bloc after military takeovers in 2022 and 2023.

“We can discuss with our brothers and convince them to come back into the fold,” Faye told Tinubu when he visited the latter at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.

Earlier, Tinubu, who currently serves as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State, had told Faye, “I am inviting you to collaborate and meet those other brothers, to persuade them to come back to the fold.”

The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, revealed details of Thursday’s talks in a statement titled ‘President Tinubu receives President Bassirou Faye of Senegal, says West Africa must work in unison to defeat terrorism, human trafficking.’

Tinubu’s call came four months after the three countries announced their withdrawal from the ECOWAS, citing “illegal sanctions” attracted by an unconstitutional change of government.

In 2022 alone, Burkina-Faso experienced two coups d’état. In January of that year, the military overthrew the elected president, Roch Marc Christian Kabore, installing Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Damiba as interim leader.

However, Damiba was overthrown nine months later by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who remains in power to date.

Niger Republic joined the league of junta-led West African nations when in June 2023, the military detained President Mohammed Bazoum as General Abdourahamane Tchiani, head of the Presidential Guard since 2011, declared himself as the “president of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland.”

In January 2024, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso announced their withdrawal from the 49-year-old bloc

The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, had, in April, warned that the withdrawal of Niger, Mali and Burkina-Faso from the bloc puts ECOWAS’ investments worth nearly $1bn at risk.

At the meeting, Tinubu emphasised that democratic governance, democratic values, and constitutional order are sacrosanct and must be protected.

He also stated that critical institutions and precepts, like the judiciary and the rule of law, must be respected and observed for the sustenance of democracy.

“Constitutional democracy is what Senegal proved to the rest of the world and Africa. It is a joy to have you here; to meet the hope and aspiration of our youths. You fit in perfectly well.

“A critical time it is in the history of constitutional democracy, particularly in West Africa. What you have embarked upon, a struggle couched in freedom, is remarkable,” President Tinubu said.

He described Nigeria and Senegal as brotherly nations, recounting both countries’ long history of cooperation.

“We are brothers. We have shared interest in democracy. To make democracy sustainable in the interest of our people, we definitely must work hard.

“I am glad that you are a shining example of patience, perseverance, and commitment to democratic values. We must partner to make our people the focus of our democratic commitment.

“Your belief in the sovereignty of Africa is shared by all of us. But how can we work for our people and make them the focus of our democracy if we are violating the rule of law and promoting unconstitutional takeover of government?” said Tinubu.

In response, President Faye said that with President Tinubu’s wisdom and experience, relations among member states can be strengthened even as negotiation efforts with the junta-ruled states reopens.

“ECOWAS is the beacon of successful regional integration in Africa and globally. It is something we owe to the founding fathers of the community, and I have no doubt that you want to continue this legacy of integration. The union is going through a rough patch, but not everything is lost.

“I know I can rely on your wisdom and experience, as the leader of this great African nation, and the more recent example of Senegal; so that together, hand in hand, we can grow together, and that we can discuss with our brothers and convince them to come back into the fold. To come back and share our common democratic values and what we stand for.

“Your wisdom and your democratic values should be an asset to that vision, and my youth and determination can also be an asset. If we come together, with all these assets and advantages, I am convinced we can open a window of opportunity to discuss,” said Faye.

Preolsident Tinubu assured his Senegalese counterpart that both countries will continue to work together as they share good backgrounds which embraces and promotes democratic governance.

“We must be able to partner and build the freedom we believe in – in economic growth, development, and other spheres of governance. It is left for us to provide assurance to our people and walk our talk,” Tinubu added.

The Nigerian leader opined that West Africa must work together to defeat the hydra-headed problems of terrorism, banditry, human trafficking and poverty.

Therefore, he advised leaders in the region to make the people the point of convergence in governance, noting that the essence of democracy is lost when the people are not the focal point.

“We must defeat human trafficking; we must defeat terrorism, banditry, and poverty in our society. That must be our focus and commitment,” President Tinubu said.

In his latter remarks, President Faye acknowledged Nigeria and Senegal’s shared values, ideals, and challenges, emphasising that both nations have always had good relations since the 1960s.

“The good relations we have and the relations between our private sectors should be beneficial to our countries,” he said.

The Senegalese leader also called for the reactivation of the Nigeria-Senegal joint commission to strengthen bilateral relations across the areas of diplomacy, trade, and other spheres.

“United, we are stronger. Faced with common challenges, such as human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and all other challenges, we need to show resolve to confront these challenges so that economically we can thrive and satisfy the wishes of our people,” he said.

Thursday’s visit is Faye’s first to Nigeria since he assumed office on April 2, 2024.

The 44-year-old secured victory in the March 24 election, garnering over 54 per cent of the votes.