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Foreign Ministers from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are currently gathered in Abuja for an emergency meeting to address recent developments.
One of such developments which included the decision of military authorities in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to withdraw their membership from the regional bloc.
The meeting will delve into the political unrest in Senegal, where the President's decision to postpone the presidential poll sparked widespread protests.
Addressing delegates at the Extraordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council at Ministerial Level, Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, highlighted the significance of the gathering in tackling the emerging challenges within the sub-region.
He commended the collective efforts of ECOWAS member states in upholding democratic values and stressed the organization's commitment to addressing the current challenges.
However, he emphasized the importance of assessing the implications of the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS, and also devising strategies to navigate the complex situation in Senegal.
President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Alieu Touray, highlighted the agenda of the meeting, which includes considering the notifications of withdrawal from the three countries and exploring broader implications. He stressed the importance of unity within the sub-region.
Touray dismissed the claims of the withdrawing countries, tagging them as hasty and lacking real basis. He noted that there is the need for dialogue and actionable recommendations to address the challenges facing the region.
The meeting aims to provide a collective response to the evolving situation, with a focus on promoting democratic values and keeping regional stability.
