The West Africa pro-democracy Civil Society Organisations’ network (WADEMOS) has called on the President of Ghana, John Mahama, to intervene in the impending exit of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
While congratulating Mahama on his swearing-in as the President of Ghana, the organisation praised Ghana’s peaceful transition of power, describing it as a beacon of hope for democracy in West Africa.
It, however, expressed concern over the planned withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS.
Back in December 2024 at the 66th Ordinary Summit of the Authority of Heads of State and Government and ECOWAS Commission held in Abuja, ECOWAS had formally approved the withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from the regional body.
ECOWAS Commission President, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, said the three countries will formally cease to be members of ECOWAS on January 29, 2025, in accordance with Article 91 of the revised ECOWAS treaty.
WADEMOS, however, warned that the withdrawal of the three Sahel countries would pose a potential threat to regional stability and human rights.
Part of the statement reads, “The pending exit has plunged the subregion into a wave of uncertainty and posed a growing threat to human rights across the subregion.
“The Network, therefore, calls on President John Mahama to intervene as a trusted democrat and a strong believer in the ideals of our founding fathers by engaging personally with the Heads of State of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali to halt the official exit scheduled for January 29, 2025″.
WADEMOS expressed confidence that President Mahama would contribute to and partake in efforts to maintain regional integration and restore stability to the troubled areas across the subregion.
