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Former Nigerian head of state, Yakubu Gowon who was one of the founders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called for the lifting of sanctions on coup-hit countries ahead of an emergency heads of state meeting in the region.
Former Nigerian head of state, Yakubu Gowon who was one of the founders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called for the lifting of sanctions on coup-hit countries ahead of an emergency heads of state meeting in the region.
Gowon (89) who was in Abuja Nigeria’s capital warned ECOWAS was threatened with disunity and extolled the role played by ECOWAS for uniting and carrying out development works in the region and among member states.
Gowon also called for immediate lifting of all sanctions imposed on Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and Niger, four countries ruled by transitional powers, following military coups, editor’s note; the withdrawal by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger of their notice to leave ECOWAS; and the participation of ECOWAS’s 15 heads of state in a summit to discuss the community’s future, security and regional stability. “
The former Nigerian military leader from 1966 to 1975 is the last living witness to the creation of the regional political and economic union. He was at the table in Lagos with 15 other heads of state and government in May 1975 during its formation. Gowon appealed to the authority of Heads of State and Government in the West African bloc, including leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, to re-unite for peace and stability in the region.
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Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger declared their withdrawal from ECOWAS last month, plunging the West African bloc into crisis. The region has also been rocked by President Macky Sall’s sudden decision to delay elections in Senegal. ECOWAS has faced challenges in recent years as it strives to address coup incidents in the region and ensure the equitable distribution of natural resources.
