The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has expressed optimism that Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger three Sahel countries that recently withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will rejoin the bloc in due course.
Tuggar gave the assurance in Abuja on Friday while receiving the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Memounatou Ibrahima, who led a delegation on a courtesy visit.
The visit forms part of the parliament’s efforts to strengthen intergovernmental relations and democratic governance ahead of its 25th anniversary in November.
“We will continue to work tirelessly for the success of ECOWAS and encourage the return of all member states, including those that have recently withdrawn. The door remains open we are confident they will return, as they are integral to the region. It is only a matter of time,” Tuggar said.
He noted that, despite the formal withdrawal, Nigeria and other member countries would maintain neighbourly relations with the three nations and continue to collaborate in areas of mutual interest.
The minister urged the media to shift focus from the withdrawal and highlight economic development across the subregion. He further encouraged journalists and stakeholders to spotlight the positive initiatives being undertaken in the remaining twelve ECOWAS member states.
Among the key projects he mentioned were the West African Power Pool, the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, and the Abidjan-Lagos and Abidjan-Dakar corridors, all of which aim to foster regional integration and economic progress.
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Tuggar praised the ECOWAS Parliament as a true representation of the people of member states, with a demonstrated commitment to constitutionalism and democratic principles.
In her remarks, Speaker Ibrahima said the visit was intended to brief the minister on the parliament’s recent activities and future plans.
She noted that the ECOWAS Parliament, established in 2000, is preparing to mark its 25th anniversary as a regional legislative institution.
“We are working towards strengthening our capacity and expanding our legislative functions within the ECOWAS framework. We are also exploring how best to support all ECOWAS programmes and initiatives,” she stated.
Ibrahima was accompanied by the Parliament’s Fourth Deputy Speaker, Billay Tunkara, its Secretary-General, Bertin Some, and other officials.
