CSO commend ECOWAS for lifting Sanctions on Member States
On behalf of the Technical Working Group (ITWG) on Social Protection in West africa, we commend the authority of heads of state and government for lifting the economic sanctions against Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. This is a right step in the right direction. We expect full compliance from the affected countries with regards to the conditions attached to this reprieve from the regional body for the full benefits of the it’s own people.
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 underling principles, charter and protocols.
The economic and political sanctions is 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 and industries and goods etc
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The 3 states will now participate in technical meetings and outside of decision making
We commend the H.O.S for these initiatives and presiden Bola Tinubu for spearheading these efforts.
We believe that the three heads of states of mali and 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 the more and impact on trade and industry of their respective countries.
Even though they account for less than 10% of the region GDP 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 passport and green card etc.
Their citizens are holding important positions in the regional and continental bodies such as AFRO EXIM, AFDB, AfCTA and ECOWAS, if they leave all these positions will be affected.
They’re 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
Signed
Taiwo Akerele
ED Policy House Int’l and Convener of ITWG
