Atiku Reacts As Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Exit ECOWAS: “Serious Diplomatic Meltdown”

• Atiku Abubakar has reacted to the recent development rocking the member states of the ECOWAS
• The former VP said the withdrawal of the Niger Republic and two other countries from ECOWAS was "disturbing"
• Atiku called for a collective fight against insecurity, terrorism and others, saying there should be enhanced security measures

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

Atiku Abubakar, the flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, has expressed deep concern following the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Recall that the military rulers of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso withdrew their countries from the ECOWAS with immediate effect.

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The three countries issued a joint statement on Sunday, January 28, claiming their economic interests were not guaranteed. They added that the organisation had drifted from the ideals of its founding fathers and the spirit of Pan-Africanism."

Reacting via a post shared on his X account on Sunday, the former vice president described the development as disturbing and a "matter of serious diplomatic meltdown".

The PDP chieftain has urged Nigeria and other member countries of ECOWAS to be security conscious.

Atiku tweeted:

"Reports about the withdrawal of three countries from our sub-regional body, @ecowas_cedeao, is concerning. It is a matter of serious diplomatic meltdown. We must keep the country’s national security interest, especially the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and others in focus while we appraise the situation."

ECOWAS reacts to withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger

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Meanwhile, ECOWAS reacted to the purported withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic from the regional body.

In a statement posted on X, ECOWAS said it was yet to receive any direct formal notification from the three member states about their intention to quit the regional bloc.

It, however, stated that the three countries remained important members of the community and efforts would be made to find a "negotiated solution to the political impasse."

All three countries, which were founding members of ECOWAS in 1975, are currently led by militaries that seized power from civilian leaders.

Source: Legit.ng