Following the unexpected announcement on Sunday of the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a flurry of diplomatic activities and initiatives has unfolded at both the organizational and sub-regional levels to address the situation and seek a resolution.
Prominent among the heads of state engaged in discussions is Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, who is concluding a foreign visit. However, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, the current ECOWAS Chair, has also been actively involved, holding phone conversations with the Presidents of Ghana, Gambia, and Liberia.
A meeting of regional heads of state is being organized to address the unfolding developments. Possible scenarios include an extraordinary summit in Abuja, Nigeria (with speculation on a potential timeframe, “Why not this weekend?” one source queries), or a sideline meeting during the upcoming African Union summit in Addis Ababa, involving ECOWAS member states’ leaders.
The withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger has become a significant challenge for ECOWAS, acknowledged by a diplomat from the Commission’s presidency. “Hence the need to handle it with care,” he adds. The prevailing consensus is to work towards bringing back the countries that announced their withdrawal back into the institution.
In the upcoming discussions, Togo is poised to play a mediating role. President Faure Gnassingbé holds influence in Bamako, Niamey, and Ouagadougou. The leaders of the Malian, Burkinabe, and Nigerien coups appreciate Togo’s stance in the crisis. Over the past 48 hours, Togolese emissaries have been actively engaging with these three Sahelian countries.
As diplomatic efforts intensify, the resolution of this crisis will require strategic negotiations, careful diplomacy, and a collaborative approach among ECOWAS member states. The role of Togo in facilitating dialogue could prove instrumental in finding common ground and restoring stability within the regional organization.