Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the former President of the ECOWAS Commission, is urging leaders within the ECOWAS region to reconsider and lift sanctions imposed on Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in response to recent military coups in these nations.
According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Chambas who is currently serving as the African Union’s (AU) High Representative for ‘Silencing the Guns in Africa,’ Chambas conveyed this message during a telephone interview.
Emphasizing the critical need for unity, Chambas called on the military authorities in the affected countries to retract their threats of withdrawing from the sub-regional bloc.
With the ECOWAS Summit scheduled in Abuja for the upcoming weekend, Chambas urged all stakeholders in West Africa to heed the recent appeal from former Nigerian Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), to end conflicts and promote unity in the region.
Chambas stressed the imperative for ECOWAS to present a unified front, highlighting the inherent strength that lies in cohesion rather than division. He commended Gowon’s call for lifting sanctions and encouraged ECOWAS Heads of State to engage in dialogue with the affected nations to reconsider their positions.
As a former Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, Chambas acknowledged the complexities facing the region but underscored the importance of addressing them collectively.
Recognizing Gowon’s pivotal role in the establishment of ECOWAS nearly five decades ago, Chambas urged other elder statesmen to rally behind efforts to restore unity and common purpose within the organization.
Expressing confidence in ECOWAS under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, Chambas anticipated productive discussions and sustainable solutions during the upcoming summit.
He advocated for the lifting of what he termed “crippling sanctions” on Mali and other affected nations, acknowledging President Tinubu’s democratic credentials and proactive engagement with ECOWAS President Dr. Omar Touré to ensure diplomatic measures are pursued to preserve ECOWAS unity.
Chambas remarked, “President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to democracy is unwavering and well-documented. His experiences and principles speak volumes. We trust in President Tinubu’s pragmatism and his dedication to upholding ECOWAS unity. I am aware of his active collaboration with ECOWAS President Dr. Omar Touré to explore every diplomatic avenue to maintain the cohesion of our regional bloc.”
