In a concerted effort to address regional instability, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama convened at the State House in Abuja to discuss strategies for fostering cooperation between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the dissenting Sahelian nations—Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

The meeting, which took place yesterday, underscored the commitment of both leaders to prioritize diplomatic engagement and explore avenues for enhanced security and economic collaboration. President Tinubu, who currently chairs the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, lauded President Mahama for his instrumental role in bridging the divide between ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

“I feel good that he is here in the first place, and I am indeed very happy with the efforts he has made to have a bridge between the AES countries and ECOWAS,” President Tinubu stated, emphasizing the critical importance of maintaining open lines of communication with the breakaway nations for the sake of regional stability and the welfare of their citizens.

President Tinubu stressed that the dialogue was initiated not for the benefit of political leaders but for the ordinary citizens. “It’s not a bad idea for us because of the security situation in the Sahel region and the economic opportunities we must embark on to ensure the security of lives and prosperity of our citizens,” he said, adding, “The innocent people in this episode are the citizens of those countries, not much about us, the leadership. The citizens must be the first beneficiaries and the first point of reason together.”

Ghanaian President Mahama, who recently visited the Sahel nations as part of ECOWAS’ ongoing diplomatic efforts, affirmed that his trip was aimed at promoting dialogue and identifying opportunities for collaboration. “I came to thank him for the honor done me during my inauguration and 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 explained.

Acknowledging the complexities of the situation, President Mahama emphasized that resolving the tensions between ECOWAS and the breakaway nations would necessitate sustained dialogue. “Well, it’s a complicated situation, and it’s not as easy as we might think. We just need to continue to dialogue and see how we can continue to cooperate together,” he noted.

The meeting highlighted ECOWAS’ dedication to diplomatic engagement amidst persistent tensions with the Sahel states, which severed ties with the organization following military takeovers. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to finding peaceful resolutions and fostering an environment conducive to regional stability and economic prosperity.

In related news, the meeting between Tinubu and Mahama also touched on strengthening bilateral ties between Nigeria and Ghana, solidifying their positions as influential members within ECOWAS and reinforcing their collaborative efforts to navigate the current regional crisis. The discussions are expected to send a strong message of unity within the sub-region, demonstrating that ECOWAS remains a relevant and cohesive body capable of addressing complex challenges.