The coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) has called for engagement with dissatisfied member countries in order to prevent the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) from disintegrating.
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), West Africa Civil Society Forum (WACSOF), and Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) made the announcement at a media interaction session in Lagos on Monday, February 5.
The groups also advocated for the restoration of democratic governance in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, where the military seized power through coups d’état.
In a communique issued at the conclusion of the dialogue, the coalition voiced concern about Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso’s recent announcement of their resignation from ECOWAS, saying that such a threat should not be underestimated.
The groups campaigned for the elimination of penalties placed on member nations, which have created hardship for the people, particularly women and children.
“It is imperative to recall the commitment of member states not to attack one another through the non-aggression treaty signed in 1976. The attack may not only be in the form of military engagement.
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“The leaders of ECOWAS in the interest of sustaining a peaceful, united, and prosperous economic bloc must continue to operate under the principles of mutual respect that made the region a template for best practice in fostering regional integration in Africa.
“The community must recognize the clauses that protect each member state from interference in its internal affairs. More so, in a period of growing trans-border insecurity, a more integrated ECOWAS is requisite for stemming the tides of insecurity in the region,” it said.
The communique was signed by CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), WACSOF’s General Secretary, Kop’ep Dabugat, and TMG’s representative, Najaatu Mohammed.
“While CSOs continue to condemn military rule in the region rather than resorting to constitutional measures, the threat of gradual disintegration of a community which had hitherto served as 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 regional integration, 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 boost trade and development, it is completely disheartening to see leaders shun the channel of diplomacy and dialogue and instead attempt to disintegrate the community,” it said.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli