ECOWAS open to Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso’s return – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu said on Friday the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) would continue to persuade the military leaders of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso to return their nations to the fold.

Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, reaffirmed this position at a meeting with ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence Staff in Abuja.

The defence chiefs had during a meeting in Abuja reaffirmed their commitment to the return of the three countries to ECOWAS.

They left the regional bloc last year in protest of West African leaders’ handling of the military coup in Niger Republic.

Tinubu said: “It is in our hearts to make sure that security is enhanced and that constitutional government is defended and promoted in our region.

READ ALSO: West African defence chiefs push for Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger’s return to ECOWAS

“It has been a challenging tenure for me since three members indicated their exit. We will work hard to persuade them to return, whichever way.

“No one man is smarter than the group of heads that is here. We will do everything to offer a hand of friendship to them and give them reasons to come back to us.”

The ECOWAS chairman commended the defence chiefs for their commitment to regional stability and protection of constitutional governance.

“The solution to terrorism and other challenges lies in our hands. We have to do it together.

“The ECOWAS standby force must be ready. We will continue to invest in this, as well as in the economic prosperity and opportunities across our region,” he added.

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