TINUBU’S AIDE: SAHEL STATES’ EXIT HURT ECOWAS

The withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States has created a major regional crisis and weakened efforts at integration, according to the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare.

Dare made the statement at a policy colloquium organised by the Ministry of Defence in Abuja, where he discussed border management and regional cooperation.

He said the departure of the three Sahel countries had weakened important ECOWAS mechanisms designed to promote the movement of people, goods and services across West Africa.

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger formally left ECOWAS in January 2025 after earlier announcing their intention to withdraw from the regional bloc.

Dare said the development had implications for both economic activities and regional security, particularly because effective border management depends on cooperation among neighbouring countries.

He noted that regional integration remained important to addressing challenges that extend beyond individual national borders.

The presidential aide also stressed the need for stronger cooperation among West African countries, particularly in managing borders and addressing security concerns affecting the region.

His comments come as ECOWAS continues efforts to maintain regional cooperation following the departure of the three countries, which now operate together under the Alliance of Sahel States.

The development has raised broader concerns about the future of regional integration and security cooperation in West Africa.