Africa won’t allow outsiders disrupt its unity, says Tinubu at Mahama’s inauguration

President Bola Tinubu says African countries will not allow outsiders disrupt its unity.

Tinubu spoke on Tuesday during the inauguration of John Mahama as the president of Ghana in Accra, the country’s capital city.

Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic exited the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and will cease to be members of the bloc between January and July, 2025.

The French-speaking countries left ECOWAS after juntas took over, expelled France, and began making new alliances with countries like Russia.

The Nigerian leader said countries on the continent should continue to dialogue with each other even when there are disagreements.

“Even when we disagree, we shall dialogue and discuss until we reach an agreement. Never, never shall we harm others and never allow any outsider to hurt us or disrupt the unity for which so many of our heroes gave their sweat, blood, and very lives to achieve,” he said.

The Nigerian leader said the countries on the continent do not have anything to prove to anyone other than themselves.

“This moment does more than symbolise another milestone in the evolution of Ghanaian democratic society. It lays to bed the question of whether Ghana and Africa are capable of democratic and productive endeavours,” he said.

“We have found the critical path to our success. We shall lift our nations out of poverty and build a resilient economy at our own pace.

“Today, I am here not only as the President of Nigeria but also as an African in resolute support for Ghana and her people. This moment is a source of pride and honour for you, the entire continent, and its diaspora.

“The spirit of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah is here today, lifting that star higher and higher.

“Just as Ghana draws inspiration and a well of strength from Kwame Nkrumah and many of its past leaders, Nigeria similarly draws inspiration from its founding leaders who not only fought for her independence but also cherished the close relationship between our two nations.”

He described Mahama as a man of “patriotic vision and substance”.