The Council of the Wise Men, created by ECOWAS in 2005, is an important instrument for the promoting peace, security and stability in West Africa.
Under the chairmanship of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the Council of
Elders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held
a two-day retreat from 29 to 30 April 2024 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The meeting, which centred on the theme “Benefiting from the existence of the Council of the Wise to respond to the current challenges of governance, peace and security in the ECOWAS region,” was an opportunity for the Wise Men of the region to reaffirm their commitment to regional unity, peace and security.
In its final communiqué received by APA, the Council of the Wise Men,
expressed its call for more coordinated approaches’within ECOWAS, both in its exchanges with the structures of the member states and in the development of regional responses, particularly with regard to preventive action and mediation.
With this in mind, the members of the Council expressed their “concern
at the declaration by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger of their intention
to withdraw from the Community,” inviting the “three Member States to
reconsider their position in the general interest of their populations
and of regional integration.”
This move is reminiscent of that of General Yakubu Gowon. In February, the former Nigerian president (1966-1975) called on West African leaders, including the military rulers of Ouagadougou, Bamako and Niamey, to “put aside their differences and come together for peace, stability and prosperity” in the region.
One of the founding fathers of ECOWAS felt that the impact of Mali, Burkina and Niger withdrawing from the regional institution would have “considerable implications for ordinary citizens.” Gowon had offered his services to bring the conflicting parties together.
For its part, the Council of Elders reaffirmed its willingness to continue “to support the efforts of the ECOWAS Commission to find
lasting solutions to the many challenges facing the Community.”
At the end of January 2024, Burkina, Mali and Niger announced thei withdrawal, with immediate effect, from ECOWAS, accused of being
manipulated by foreign powers.
Despite attempts to open up the organisation, the Sahel Alliance states insisted on the irreversible nature” of their decision to
withdraw from the regional Community.
AC/fss/GIK/APA