President Bola Tinubu says the Economic Community of West African States will continue to persuade the military leaders of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso to return their nations to the fold.
Tinubu, who chairs the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, reaffirmed this at a meeting with ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence Staff in Abuja.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed the outcome of the meeting in a statement he signed titled ‘ECOWAS’ hand of friendship still open to Niger, Mali, And Burkina Faso, says President Tinubu.
Tinubu’s comments come nearly three weeks after he hinted at plans for a special extraordinary session to discuss the future of the economic bloc.
Tinubu said it is in their hearts to make sure that security is enhanced and that constitutional government is defended and promoted in our region.
The ECOWAS chairman commended the defence chiefs for their commitment to regional stability and protection of constitutional governance.
He also affirmed the commitment of member states to invest in its $2.6bn Standby Force, describing the initiative as the solution to terrorism in the Sahel.
“The solution to terrorism and other challenges lies in our hands. We have to do it together. The ECOWAS standby force must be ready.