Return To ECOWAS, Civil Rule, CSOs Tell Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso Junta

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria have called on Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso junta to return to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The CSOs also urged the junta to map out modalities for the entrenchment of democratic governance in these countries while calling on ECOWAS to withdraw stringent sanctions on Mali. Niger and Burkina Faso.

At a press conference yesterday, the executive director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), who is also the leader of the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) and Transparency International (TI) Nigeria, Awwal Musa Rafsanjani said they noted with dismay the events surrounding the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the recent announcement of the withdrawal of the Republic of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from the regional community of states.

“While we continue to condemn in totality the deployment of military junta to overthrow democratic governments in the region rather than resorting to constitutional measures, the gradual disintegration of a community which had hitherto served as a best practice template for regional integration in Africa cannot be overlooked.

“It is imperative for Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, and indeed the rest of the member states of ECOWAS to have a deep reflection over the collective milestones of the region including peace missions to member states; free mobility of people, goods and services; trade enhancement through the removal of customs duties and tariffs on commodities; as well as collective infrastructural development efforts such as the West African power pool leading to the construction of Diama and Manatali dams in Senegal and Mali respectively. At a time when the region is advancing discussions of a single market to further booster trade and development, it is completely disheartening to see leaders eschew the channel of diplomacy and dialogue to disintegrate the community,” Rafsanjani said.

He said in pursuit of a more integrated and stronger community of states in the West African region, the CSOs are calling on the authorities of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso to rescind their decisions to withdraw from ECOWAS because of obvious beneficial reasons.

“We urge state and non-state actors in the region to intensify engagements towards ensuring a more united ECOWAS. The military authorities in these countries urgently roll out transition plans that clearly reactivate return to civil rule and quick restoration of democratic orders. These plans should consist of a timetable of political activities leading up to the conduct of elections and transmission of power. 3. The military authority in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso in the spirit of fairness, transparency, and accountability, to recuse themselves from transmuting from military to civil rulers.

“This is particularly pertinent as failure to do so would signal among the people and the world that the only intention of the junta was to grab power,” Rafsanjani said adding that the authorities in these countries should ensure and prioritize free, fair, and credible elections capable of bringing about the choices of the people and thereby restoring their trust for democratic processes.

The people of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso should take advantage of transition programmes to rise and be counted by actively participating in the quest to return to democracy.

“We also call on the leadership of ECOWAS and the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all other West African countries to remove all inhumane sanctions against the Republic of Niger and any of the above-mentioned countries which has caused hardship to the people of the country especially women and other vulnerable groups. It is imperative to recall the commitment of member states not to attack one another through the non- aggression treaty signed in 1976. Attack must not be only seen in the form of military engagement,” Rafsanjani said.

He said, “The leaders of ECOWAS in the interest of sustaining a peaceful, united, and prosperous economic bloc must continue to operate under the principles that made the region a template for best practices in fostering regional integration in Africa.

“The community must recognize the clauses that protect each member state from interference in its internal affairs as well as the commitment not to attack one another. Moreso, in a period of growing transborder insecurity, a more integrated ECOWAS is requisite for stemming the tides of insecurity in the region. We re-echo the instrumentality of continued dialogue and sustained civil engagements for democratic stability in the region,” Rafsanjani said.