President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama have reiterated the need for ECOWAS to maintain diplomatic engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger despite their recent exit from the bloc.
The two leaders met at the State House in Abuja, where they discussed security and economic cooperation within the region.
Tinubu, who chairs the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, praised Mahama for his mediation efforts aimed at reconnecting the Sahelian nations with the regional body.
“I am pleased with the steps he has taken to facilitate dialogue between ECOWAS and the AES nations,” Tinubu said, emphasizing that the priority should be the welfare of citizens rather than political leadership concerns.
He stressed that addressing security threats and economic challenges in the Sahel was essential for regional peace and prosperity.
Mahama, who recently engaged with leaders of the Sahel states, shared insights from his visit, noting that rebuilding trust would require patience and persistent dialogue.
“It’s a complex issue, but we must remain open to discussions and cooperation,” Mahama remarked.
Their conversation highlighted ECOWAS’ commitment to diplomatic solutions in resolving tensions with the military-led governments in the Sahel.