- President John Mahama briefed President Tinubu on ECOWAS's ongoing negotiations with Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso over their withdrawal
- Mahama acknowledged the complexity of the situation, urging continued dialogue between ECOWAS and the Sahelian states to resolve tensions
- President Tinubu reaffirmed that the welfare of citizens must be central to regional efforts to rebuild relations with estranged members of the bloc
President John Mahama of Ghana, who is currently leading ECOWAS’s efforts to mediate with the military juntas of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, met with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja on Thursday, March 27, to update him on recent developments in the ongoing negotiations with these estranged states.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Mahama revealed that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is still engaged in discussions with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
However, he acknowledged that the talks had been complicated, urging that ECOWAS must continue its efforts to restore dialogue with the three nations, which had suspended their membership in the regional bloc following military coups.
“It’s a complicated situation, and it’s not as easy as we think, We just need to continue to dialogue and see how we can continue to dialogue together,” Mahama said, emphasising the need for patience and persistence in finding a diplomatic solution.
Mahama, who was in Abuja to brief President Tinubu on the progress of these talks, explained that his visit allowed him to gather concerns from the Sahelian countries that required further discussion.
As the current Chairman of ECOWAS, President Tinubu is responsible for overseeing the bloc's efforts in the region, and Mahama considered it vital to keep him informed of the evolving situation.
“I came to thank him for the honour done me during my inauguration but also to brief him on the visits to the Sahelian countries—Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—and to bring him up to date with some of the issues and to discuss with him,” Mahama stated.
Mahama reaffirmed that it is his duty as ECOWAS’s mediator to continue liaising with regional leaders like President Tinubu to ensure the continuation of talks with the AES.
While addressing the media, Mahama was asked whether there was any "good news" to report from the ongoing discussions.
He responded cautiously, reiterating the complexity of the situation but maintaining that dialogue remains the best path forward.
ECOWAS launches digital certificate of origin to boost regional trade
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) introduced the electronic Certificate of Origin in Lagos, marking a significant step toward enhancing regional trade.
The groundbreaking initiative aligns with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which is to simplify and accelerate cross-border trade across Africa.
