The Deputy Speaker of Nigeria House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has revealed that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament is actively employing diplomatic measures to address the potential exit of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from the regional bloc.
The Poise Nigeria Reports that Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso severed ties with ECOWAS after sanctions were imposed on them by the bloc following coups in their domains.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, during a committee meeting in the city, Kalu assured that there is no need for alarm despite the perceived existential threats posed by violent extremism and the potential withdrawal of these three West African nations from ECOWAS.
Kalu emphasized that parliamentary diplomacy is already being deployed to engage with the concerned countries.
“We have initiated communication through letters, and shortly, some members of the Parliament will be visiting these nations to have discussions with their heads of government,” Kalu stated.
He further noted the importance of maintaining unity within ECOWAS, adding, “We’ll open up the doors for them to come back to the family; We need them. We’ll tell them for instance that, granted, maybe they were offended by one or two things, but let us sit down again and discuss.”
He reiterated the significance of the three countries to the ECOWAS bloc, insisting that their departure would not be dismissed lightly.
“You can’t just forget them and say it doesn’t matter; that they can go on their own. No! We have to reach out to them and say we are better off as one family. I’m sure it’s going to work,” Kalu asserted.
Regarding the financial implications of a potential exit by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, Kalu reassured that ECOWAS would not face a financial crisis.
He pointed out that the bloc’s revenue sources are well-defined, with the Community Levy being just one of several revenue streams.
