APA – Lagos (Nigeria) Yankubu Gowon, Nigeria’s 89-year-old former military ruler ended his silence over the protracted row between the West African regional grouping Ecowas and three of its members under army rule.
Ecowas Commission head, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray received an open letter from Gowon, the sole surviving founding father of the bloc calling on regional leaders to lift sanctions on Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger after the military seized power from civilian governments in those member countries.
The missive from the former Nigerian leader, which warned that continuing with the punitive measures could spell the end of the bloc was delivered on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, for onward delivery to all Ecowas heads of state and government for consideration.
Reading the content of his letter before the media at the Ecowas Commission in Abuja, General Gowon expressed “deep concern and sadness “over the decision of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to quit the organisation.
He warned that the decision would have a “far-reaching impact on the ordinary citizens, who have been the beneficiaries” of the considerable achievements of Ecowas such as trade liberalisation, the right of West Africans to live legitimately in any country within the bloc, as well as successful peacekeeping operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
General Gowon, who said he was making the passionate appeal on behalf of all the founding fathers, urged all the regional leaders in West Africa, including those of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, to put aside their differences and reunite for peace, stability and prosperity of the region.
His recommendations to West African leaders include lifting all sanctions that have been imposed on Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and Niger, and the withdrawal by the three countries of their notice to leave the 49-year-old organisation.
Gowon also called for a full-blooded summit of all 15 Ecowas leaders to discuss the future of the community, regional security and stability, as well as the role of the international community given the current geopolitical realities.
General Gowon reminded the regional leaders that the bloc “is more than a coalition of states… but a community established for the good of our people based on shared history, culture and tradition”.
The head of the Ecowas Commission Touray assured General Gowon that a copy of the letter would reach every head of state of the Ecowas community and expressed appreciation to the retired Nigerian leader for his
unfailing commitment to progress within the bloc.
GIK/APA