President John Dramani Mahama recently concluded bilateral talks with Burkina Faso's leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, focusing on Burkina Faso's withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). President Mahama's visit was part of his ongoing "Good Neighbourliness Tour."
The discussions centered on the concerns expressed by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea regarding their relationships with ECOWAS. President Mahama acknowledged the current breakdown in trust among the leadership of these nations and the regional body, emphasizing that rebuilding this trust will require time and concerted effort.
He pledged to convey these concerns to fellow ECOWAS leaders at the upcoming summit, aiming to foster renewed confidence and cooperation among all West African nations, regardless of their membership in ECOWAS.
In a statement following the meeting, President Mahama highlighted the key issues discussed: "We've discussed the issue of ECOWAS, and I've gained new perspectives on the concerns these three countries have regarding their relations with ECOWAS. I assured President Traoré that I would share their concerns with other leaders at the next ECOWAS meeting. There's a breakdown of trust among the leadership; it will take time to rebuild, but we must work on it to restore trust and confidence so we can work together, even if we're not part of the same regional body."
Beyond the ECOWAS discussions, security in the Sahel region also featured prominently in the talks. President Mahama underscored the interconnected nature of security threats in the region, stating, "In Africa, we say when your neighbor's house is on fire, you have to help him quench it, otherwise it will spread to your own house. This issue of terrorism started with Mali and spread gradually into Niger and now Burkina Faso. Terrorism is like cancer; if you don't fight it together, it will spread throughout the body." His remarks highlight the urgent need for regional cooperation to combat the growing threat of terrorism. The meeting underscores Ghana's commitment to fostering dialogue and collaboration within the region to address pressing challenges.
0 Comments