ECOWAS and FG failed to effectively manage the Niger coup – Varsity Don

Babafemi Badejo, a Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Chrisland University, has criticised the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso’s decision to leave the body following the military takeover.

The three countries became founding members of the alliance in 1975. However, relations with ECOWAS deteriorated following coups in Niger last July, Burkina Faso in 2022, and Mali in 2020.

The military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger announced Sunday their immediate withdrawal from the West African bloc ECOWAS, saying it has become a threat to member states.

During an appearance on Arise TV on Wednesday, Badejo stated that Instead of issuing threats after the military takeover in Niger, the ECOWAS and the Federal Government led by President Bola Tinubu should have employed diplomatic methods to address the issues related to the coup.

He said, “I definitely hope that the current administration will not reverse the efforts of those who started the project of ECOWAS. I hope it will be able to overcome the current problem and ensure that things are working fine.

“I feel that there is a problem, and it does not seem to me that we considered all the factors when we took the effort that we took initially where we left diplomacy in favour of issuing threats when we are not sure of our own capacity to able to carry such threats forward.

“Countries that issue threats in international relations immediately follow it up without having to be guessing. In our situation, we have not done fairly well in terms of the way we have handled the Niger coup which has led to the unity of purpose by Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso in wanting out of ECOWAS.”

Speaking further, the varsity don stated that there’s room for diplomacy rather than ‘talking tough.’

His words: “So, invariably, there is the need for diplomacy as opposed to talking tough. It appears to me that we are still talking tough or better still, we are trying to play it both ways because the statement that came from Foreign Ministry Affairs was very nice and leaves the possibility of dialogue.

“But then, there was another statement yesterday indicating that we are closing our airspace for aircraft flying from Nigeria to Niger and vice versa. Those kinds of actions are not in our long-term nor short-term interests.”

Following the decision from the three countries, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed readiness for dialogue.

“Nigeria remains open for engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger so that all the people of the region can continue to enjoy the economic benefits and democratic values that ECOWAS embraces.

“Nigeria further appeals to the international community to continue to extend its support for ECOWAS and the vision of closer partnership, cooperation, and integration.”