President Bola Tinubu on Sunday berated the Sahel Alliance and called for a unified push to restore democracy in coup-hit West African countries.
The Nigerian leader spoke at the 64th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
He said the alliance in the Sahel region, comprising Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso cannot deter the ECOWAS from upholding its primary objective.
Tinubu said the bloc’s commitment to strengthening good governance for West Africans which will transcend socioeconomic transformation and human capital development is unwavering.
He said:“It is important that we also review some development 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 that will impact the life of our people.
“We refuse to be detracted from pursuing the collective dreams, aspirations, and the noble path of ECOWAS integration as laid out in our institutional and legal frameworks.”
Tinubu, who was elected leader of the bloc this year, said the unconstitutional change of government in the region is against the collective goal of the bloc.
Under Tinubu’s leadership, the regional bloc has imposed most stringent travel and economic sanctions against Niger after elite soldiers deposed and detained President Mohamed Bazoum.
According to him, that would send a strong message to other nations.
Rather than deter the soldiers who took over power in Niger and elsewhere, the sanctions appear to have emboldened them.
The junta in Niger has also kept Bazoum under house arrest despite international pressure.
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