a West Africa Democracy Solidarity (WADEMOS) Network has appealed to ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahelian States, to enhance negotiations and dialogue in the interest of regional co-operation, peace and security.
The WADEMOS Network, which is a transnational Network of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) across the West African sub-region, in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency, explained that Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger signed the Liptako-Gourma Charter, creating the Alliance des Etats du Sahel (AES).
It said the move to sever ties with the Economic Community of West African States, as an established framework, stemmed from some concerns expressed by the AES, which included sanctions imposed by ECOWAS in response to the coups, their accusations of foreign powers influencing member states, and a lack of support for combating terrorism in the region.
The statement said WADEMOS had taken notice of the developments relating to the exit of the AES such as ECOWAS’ decision in February 2024, notwithstanding its normative frameworks to lift travel, commercial, and economic sanctions imposed on all three countries and the lifting of the no-fly zone imposed on all commercial flights.
It said the initiatives taken by the Alliance to advance its cause, including the introduction of an AES passport, aimed to strengthen co-operation among its member states and facilitate travel for its citizens.
The statement said the collaborative regional approach to mediation with the appointment of Senegal’s President, Bassirou Faye, as the ECOWAS special envoy to mediate the conflict involving these countries, aimed to restore peace and stability and it was supported by the Togolese President, Faure Gnassingbe.
Others are ECOWAS’ letter, dated January 29, indicating a transitional period from January 29, 2025, to July 29, 2025, it said.
The statement said during this time, ECOWAS would be maintaining open channels for cooperation and support.
“We further recognise the importance of the Sahel States to protect their national sovereignty while responding to the urgent needs of security, development, and autonomy in a complex geopolitical context,” the statement said.
It noted that economic and trade-related activities should provide deep reflection for the AES and countries in the sub-region, particularly because multilateralism offered mutual benefits for resolving cross-border challenges and promoting regional peace and security.
The statement said in light of the above, WADEMOS Network urges the Sahel States’ leaders and ECOWAS to consider factors such as following the expiry of the one-year mandatory notice of exit of member countries from ECOWAS, because there were still many issues to be resolved which required the two parties to sustain and promote dialogue and negotiation.
It said these dialogues must consider and reflect the wider interest of community citizens and their security, therefore WADEMOS Network had urged the parties to prioritise inclusive solutions in the interest of millions of people in the region.
It said the network remained convinced that regional integration was essential to meet the common challenges of its states.
The statement urged ECOWAS to undertake a comprehensive review of its revised treaty and organs and the complementary frameworks, to align strategically with the current and emerging context to restore trust and confidence.
It further suggested that the ECOWAS of Citizens, through the introduction of ECOSOC, must be integral to the future of the Community.
—GNA
Source:
ghanaiantimes.com.gh
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