President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday met with President John Mahama of Ghana in Abuja, where both leaders re-examined the ongoing political development in Burkina Faso , Niger and Maki, the three nations in the Sahel region which recently abandoned the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS to form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
Speaking with State House Journalists after their meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, both leaders expressed concern over the safety of the citizens, even as they resolved to continue the push for dialogue as a means to fostering unity with the Sahelian nations.
Recall that Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso had in February, this year, unveiled their federation flag, to strengthens regional integration, after quitting the ECOWAS.
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The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, was officially unveiled, with its federation flag. They also introduced a joint AES passport to facilitate the free movement of people and goods across member states, as part of measures to deepen cooperation and strengthen socio economic ties.
They also unveiled plan establish a single currency aimed at strengthening economic integration and trade within the region.
On the security front, the AES has set up a joint task force of 5,000 troops to combat terrorism and enhance regional stability.
This initiative underscores the bloc’s commitment to addressing shared security threats through coordinated military efforts.
The AES’s integration drive is also rooted in the goal of fostering sovereignty and economic independence.
But the Ghanaian leader, fresh from his recent extensive tour of the nations, said he was in Abuja, to brief President Tinubu who is the current Chairman of ECOWAS on his findings.
“ I came to thank him for the honour done me during my inauguration but also to brief him on the visits to the sahealean countries Burkina faso, Mali and Niger and to bring him up to date with some of the issues and to discuss with him.
“ As ECOWAS chairman, its my duty to come and brief him on the some of the concerns that were raised there so that we continue to dialogue with those other countries.
Speaking further on his trip, President Mahama, who is on his second visit to Nigeria since he was reelected as President of Ghana, last year, described the development in the Sahelian nation as “complicated situation” adding that “its not as easy as we think”.
“ We just need to continue to dialogue and see how we can continue to work together”
President Tinubu, while also speaking on the issue, expressed happiness for the visit and efforts of the Ghanaian President adding that “ it is good that he is here in the first place.
“ I am indeed very happy with the efforts he has made to have a bridge between the AES countries and the ECOWAS.
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“Its not a bad idea for us because of the security situation in the Sahel region and what economic opportunity that we must embark on to ensure security of lives and prosperity of our citizens.
President Tinubu however expressed fears for the ordinary citizens who are at the center of the crises.
“ The innocent people in this episode are the citizens of those countries not much about us the leadership.
“The citizens must be the first beneficiary and the first point of reasons together”.
