‘Diplomatic meltdown’ — Atiku reacts to withdrawal of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso from ECOWAS

Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last elections, has reacted to the withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

In a post on X on Sunday, Abubakar said the withdrawal of the three countries from ECOWA is “concerning and a matter of serious diplomatic meltdown”.

The former vice-president said Nigeria must keep its national security interest as it relates to terrorism and banditry while appraising the situation.

“Reports about the withdrawal of three countries from our sub-regional body, @ecowas_cedeao, is concerning,” Atiku wrote.

“It is a matter of serious diplomatic meltdown. We must keep the country’s national security interest, especially the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and others in focus while we appraise the situation.”

Earlier, the three countries withdrew from the regional bloc in a joint statement.

They criticised ECOWAS over the sanctions imposed on them as part of efforts to reverse the coups in their countries.

“After 49 years, the valiant peoples of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger regretfully and with great disappointment observe that the (ECOWAS) organization has drifted from the ideals of its founding fathers and the spirit of Pan-Africanism,” the countries had said in their statement.

The three countries are ruled by military leaders, who overthrew democratic government.

In 2021, Mali temporarily pulled out from ECOWAS after the country experienced two coups in less than a year.

ECOWAS imposed sanctions on Mali and suspended it as a member.

In January 2022, ECOWAS suspended Burkina Faso’s membership after a military coup led by Paul Henri Damiba, which saw the democratic government of former President Roch Kabore ousted by mutinying soldiers.

In December 2023, the bloc suspended the Niger Republic after soldiers led by Abdourahamane Tiani, a general and head of the presidential guard, overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum.