Gowon Urges ECOWAS To Lift Sanctions On Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso

Former Nigerian President General Yakubu Gowon has urged ECOWAS Heads of State and Government to immediately lift sanctions imposed on aggrieved member states that withdrew from the subregional economic bloc.
Gowon, in a letter delivered to the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, at the ECOWAS headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, pleaded with the ECOWAS leadership and the three aggrieved countries, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic, to put aside their differences for the sake of regional peace, unity, and prosperity.

He asked that ECOWAS should lift its sanctions on the three countries, and equally urged the three countries to withdraw their notice to leave the Community.
Gowon, who is also one of the founding fathers of ECOWAS stated this in an open letter he delivered to the President of the ECOWAS Commission, for onward transmission to the 15 heads of member states.
He called for a dialogue among heads of State to include the three aggrieved countries to fashion a way out.
The former Nigeria Head of State said this is imperative for the unity and stability of the region in line with the dreams of the founding fathers.
Gowon, who expressed his sadness over the sub-region’s development, also stated that he was willing to engage with member-state leaders to ensure that the countries reversed their decision.
The open letter read: “I have noted with deep concern and sadness, the past and recent developments unfolding in the West African sub-region, particularly the pronouncement by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger of their intention to exit from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
“As one of the founders of our regional economic community, it is incumbent upon me to speak on behalf of the 14 Heads of State and Government who joined me in Lagos, on 27th May 1975, to establish ECOWAS. Since its inception, the regional bloc has made several major accomplishments, including trade liberalisation, the right of West Africans to live legitimately in any country within the Community, as well as successful peacekeeping operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone. ECOWAS, despite its shortcomings, has become an example of regional integration for the wider continent.
“Having achieved all of the above, it saddens me to learn that ECOWAS is
threatened with disunity following the announcement by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, 3 important Member States, of their intention to leave the Community. The impact of such a decision will have far-reaching implications for the ordinary citizens who have been the major beneficiaries of regional integration.
“Therefore, on behalf of all the founding fathers of the Community and myself, I urge the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, including the leaders from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to put aside their differences and reunite for peace, stability and prosperity of our sub-region. I call on all West African leaders to immediately consider the implementation of the following: “lifting of all sanctions that have been imposed on Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and Niger “withdrawal by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger of their notices to leave ECOWAS; and 3. participation of all 15 ECOWAS Heads of State in a Summit to discuss the future of the community, regional security and stability, as well as the role of the international community given the current geopolitical context.
“I wish to once more reiterate to regional leaders that ECOWAS is more than a coalition of States, it is a community established for the good of our peoples, based on shared history, culture and tradition. Neither my generation nor present or future generations will understand or forgive the breakup of our Community.
“I thank you all for giving due consideration to this appeal, which has been made with sincerity and a deep sense of moral responsibility. I urge all other elders in the sub-region to join me in this campaign to immediately restore unity and shared purpose within ECOWAS.
“Let me assure all parties that I am ready for further engagements to ensure that our Community remains united.”
Touray promised to deliver the letter to the Council of Heads of State, stating that he believes it will be given top priority during their emergency meeting on Saturday of this week.