Lift sanctions on military-ruled countries, ex-UN envoy advises ECOWAS 

Mohamed Ibn Chambas, former UN special representative for West Africa, has urged the Economic Community of West African States to lift the sanctions on Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic following the military coups in the countries.

Speaking ahead of the ECOWAS summit slated to hold in Abuja during the weekend, Chambas also called on Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger military leaders to withdraw their threat to exit from the regional bloc.

He said all stakeholders in West Africa should strive to end the prevailing conflicts and unite the people in the sub-region.

“I very heartily join Gen. Gowon’s appeal for the lifting of sanctions and also appeal to the three countries that are threatening to withdraw from ECOWAS to, indeed, come back to the fold,” Ibn Chambers said.

“They haven’t quit yet because the ECOWAS protocols are there. They know it and the protocols have to be followed for any country to withdraw.

“So I can only call it at this point, a threat and I think that with Gowon himself stepping in, they should heed his appeal.

“ECOWAS heads of state too should listen to General Gowon’s appeal and reach out to these three countries for them to reconsider their threats to withdraw from ECOWAS because we are stronger united than divided.

“And the time is now for ECOWAS to come together.”

Ibn Chambas, the pioneer president of the ECOWAS commission, said member states of the regional bloc should stand together to face the challenges that have been bedevilling West Africa.

“No one denies that we are facing some serious challenges. But we can overcome them and we can only overcome these challenges united, and not divided,” he said.

In a letter dated February 13, Yakubu Gowon, former head of state, also canvassed for the same approach, appealing to leaders of ECOWAS to consider lifting sanctions on the military-ruled member states.