Tinubu Asks ECOWAS To Suspend Sanctions On Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso And Niger

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was urged to lift the economic sanctions against Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea on Saturday by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking on Saturday at the ECOWAS Extra-Ordinary Summit in Abuja, Tinubu, the organization’s Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government, acknowledged that the sanctions that the group had considered as a means of encouraging the four nations to meet at the negotiating table have instead turned into a severe roadblock.

“We did everything we could to convince our brothers that there was a better way, a way that would actually improve the welfare of their people through democratic good governance,” he stated. And all of our countries had firmly decided to follow this course.

President Tinubu emphasized, “We must take note of the approaching holy month of Ramadan and of Lent,” in his demand for the suspension of penalties. This is a moment for compassion, optimism, and unity whether you pray in a church or a mosque. This is the time to pursue a deeper relationship with our brothers and neighbors in addition to seeking God.

With hearts full of compassion for all of our fellow humans, let us reach out to those in Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea as brothers and friends, in the spirit of the holy month and the Lenten season.