Tinubu promises ECOWAS protection for Mali, Niger, B’Faso’s citizens

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to pursuing diplomatic solutions to the political impasse in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, ensuring that innocent citizens are not made to bear the brunt of the actions of military regimes.

He said the leadership of the three countries had been reluctant to bring out transition programmes with clear dates.

Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State, however, stated that the regional bloc was poised to prioritise the interest and welfare of the citizens in the countries, affirming that wisdom and diplomacy would make the difference in reintegrating the countries into the commission.

According to a statement on Wednesday by President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu spoke on Tuesday when he received the President of Germany, Frank–Walter Steinmeier, in a state visit at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Onunuga’s statement was titled ‘We’ll handle return of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso with wisdom, diplomacy, President Tinubu tells German President.

We will continue to allow free movement and trade. Though the transition programme is not sure or certain, we will not punish the innocent citizens; they are not in possession of power….

Nonetheless, the ECOWAS says it is still championing efforts towards reintegrating the sister states into the nearly 50-year-old bloc.

We will talk about bilateral and regional issues. We just had a meeting with the President of ECOWAS Commission. We know how important it is to have regional cooperation. We are part of the European Union.

He said, “While you are using diplomatic means to bring Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso to rethink their position, you should have emergency plans in place for future economic cooperation

Globalpose.