‘I Did Everything Possible’ to Keep Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger in ECOWAS — Faye

Senegalese President Bassirou Faye on Friday said he had exhausted all diplomatic efforts to persuade Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to remain in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). However, the nations have opted to go their way.

Speaking in a sweeping four-hour interview with local media, Faye acknowledged the sovereign right of the breakaway states to chart their course despite his mediation efforts on behalf of ECOWAS.

I pleaded for people to come together around a table and talk, to preserve the chances of maintaining a strong subregional organisation,” Faye said. “But the fact remains that these countries, like others, are sovereign. They are free to make their own choices.”

It will be recalled that Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger officially withdrew from ECOWAS earlier this year, citing dissatisfaction with the bloc’s stance toward France and its inability to curb jihadist violence.

The three countries have since formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), aligning more closely with Russia and distancing themselves from their former colonial power, France.

ECOWAS appointed Faye in July 2023 to mediate with the Sahel countries following a string of military coups in the region. Despite his efforts, no breakthrough was achieved.

All we owe them is to respect their will, knowing that we have done everything possible to reintegrate them, he added.

Recently, the alliance, now the Confederation of Sahel States (CSS), comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, announced the introduction of a 0.5 per cent tariff on imports from non-member countries to finance its regional integration efforts.

According to a document signed by Mali’s military leader and CSS president, General Assimi Goïta, revenue from this tariff will be allocated to finance key CSS initiatives, including economic development, public infrastructure projects, and social support programmes.

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