Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, who is the Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government on Sunday said the regional bloc would not be detracted by the member states under military rule from pursuing its collective dreams.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has described the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States by some of its member states as a move to divert attention from the quest for democracy and good governance.
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, who is the Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government on Sunday said the regional bloc would not be detracted by the member states under military rule from pursuing its collective dreams.
In his opening address at the 64th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, Tinubu said, “It is important that we also review some developments in our sub-region including the move by some of our members under Military rule to float an Alliance of Sahel States.
"This phantom, push back-alliance appears intended to divert attention from our mutual quest for democracy and good governance. We refuse to be detracted from pursuing the collective dreams of ECOWAS integration as laid out in our institutional and legal frameworks."
The Alliance of Sahel States (ASS; French: l'Alliance des États du Sahel; AES) is a mutual defense pact created between Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso on September 16, 2023.
He continued, "We are confronted with the challenge of democratic consolidation, economic difficulties, climate change crisis & food insecurity. Our gathering today is therefore a clear demonstration of a resolute commitment to the development and effective integration of our sub-region.
“The region agreed upon specific punitive measures to be taken against any Member State opting for unconstitutional change of government. To this end, I would like to reiterate the imperative of re-engaging with the countries under military rule.
“This would be on the basis of realistic and short transition plans to deliver democracy and good governance. On our part, we should be prepared to provide them with technical and material support to ensure the achievement of these strategic goals.
“As leaders, we should prioritize good governance for our people, as it serves as a catalyst for socio-economic transformation and development.
“By providing good governance we would have succeeded in addressing some of the root causes of military intervention in our region.
“On the recent disturbances in Sierra Leone and Guinea Bissau, let me express my solidarity with the People and Gov of Sierra Leone and Guinea Bissau. I wish to underscore our unequivocal stance against any form of unconstitutional change of government in our sub-region.
“The message must go out loud and clear: military rule has become an aberration that subverts the popular will of the people. It no longer has any place in Africa. Our people must be allowed to exercise their freedom of choice without hindrance.”