Former Nigeria Head of State and one of the Founders of the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS,General Yakubu Gowon( Retd )has called on Heads of State and Government of (ECOWAS) and the three aggrieved countries, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic to put aside their differences and come together for the sake of peace, stability and prosperity of the region.
In an open letter he delivered to the President of ECOWAS Commission,Dr Alliou Touray, Gowon, urged ECOWAS to lift sanctions imposed on Mali, Burkina Faso Guinea and Niger Republic while urging the three countries to withdraw their notice to leave ECOWAS.
He said ECOWAS is more than a Coalition of States as it was founded based on shared history, culture and tradition for the good of the people adding that neither his “generation nor present or future generations will understand or forgive the breakup of” ECOWAS
. The letter to the 14 Heads of State and Government reads ,
: “I have noted with deep concern and sadness, the past and recent developments unfolding in the West African sub-region, particularly the pronouncement by
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger of their intention to exit from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
“As one of the founders of our regional economic community, it is incumbent upon me to speak on behalf of the 14 Heads of State and Government who joined me in Lagos, on 27th May 1975, to establish ECOWAS. Since its inception, the regional bloc has made several major accomplishments, including trade liberalisation, the right of West Africans to live legitimately in any country within the Community, as well as successful peacekeeping operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone. ECOWAS, despite its shortcomings, has become an example of regional integration for the wider continent.
“Having achieved all of the above, it saddens me to learn that ECOWAS is threatened with disunity following the announcement by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, 3 important Member States, of their intention to leave the Community. The impact of such a decision will have far-reaching implications for the ordinary citizens who have been the major beneficiaries of regional integration.
“Therefore, on behalf of all the founding fathers of the Community and myself, I urge the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, including the leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, to put aside their differences and reunite for peace, stability and prosperity of our sub-region. I call on all West African leaders to immediately consider the implementation of the following: lifting of all sanctions that have been imposed on Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and Niger;
“Withdrawal by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger of their notices to leave ECOWAS; and 3 participation of all 15 ECOWAS Heads of State in a Summit to discuss the future of the community, regional security, and stability, as well as the role of the international community given the current geopolitical context.
“I wish to once more reiterate to regional leaders that ECOWAS is more than a coalition of States, it is a community established for the good of our peoples, based on shared history, culture, and tradition. Neither my generation nor present or future generations will understand or forgive the breakup of our Community.
“I thank you all for giving due consideration to this appeal, which has been made with sincerity and a deep sense of moral responsibility. I urge all other elders in the sub-region to join me in this campaign to immediately restore unity and shared purpose within ECOWAS.
“Let me assure all parties that I am ready for further engagements to ensure that our Community remains united.”
