The stalemate between ECOWAS and the Sahelian countries of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger lingers on, causing further apprehension among citizens within and outside of the economic community.
Recent efforts by ECOWAS demonstrate some sense of a desire to reconcile, but the question remains: has the bridge been burnt beyond repair or can it be rebuilt?
The communique that emerged out of the just-ended Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State held in Abuja suggests that ECOWAS has extended a hand of friendship to these countries to keep the regional integration dream alive.
To be specific, ECOWAS has lifted sanctions on travel and trade while urging the countries in question to “reconsider their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS, in view of the benefits that all ECOWAS Member States and their citizens enjoy for being part of the Community,” citingsocio-economic, political, security and humanitarian consequences of parting ways.
Returning ECOWAS to the fervour of its early years would not be easy; but, regional and security proponents believe it is a worthwhile endeavour.
The National President for Borderless Alliance, Ziad Hamoui, has is livid about the management of the situation on both ends, lamenting the damage caused to regional efforts to promote trade and tighten security.
While the head of Ghana’s wing for trade advocacy group, Borderless Alliance, Mr. Hamoui, empathized with why the three countries’ feel disenfranchised in the regional community, he still urged them to take a conservative approach as they consider severing ties with the bloc.
“Keep in mind that, in the longer term these three countries are landlocked countries. There’s nothing that they can do that can change this fact. A landlocked country will rely on the coastal countries for its normal functioning in the import and the export of raw materials.
Critical components for food, life and health will thrive on the assumption of a healthy relationship between the coastal countries and the landlocked countries” he highlighted.
In the meantime, Mr. Hamoui said his outfit had advised the trading community to keep their ears on the ground and tarry awhile when it comes to sending goods across these countries until the situation becomes clear.
He said it is pretty disappointing how events have unfolded at ECOWAS considering that the community was preparing to enter celebratory mode this year.
“In December during the Heads of State Summit the discussions were all centered about how near we are to celebrating 50 years of ECOWAS in 2025 and how 2023 will actually be a year of celebrations in the run up to the 50 years. There was also talk about Accra hosting a summit about free movement”he said.
The National President of Borderless Alliance urged ECOWAS to do all it can to reintegrate these countries into the community as it serves the interest of both parties and keep the momentum for the socio economic and political integration of West Africa.