.Bloc becoming a battlefield between Russia, U.S., says Akinyemi

Following the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), United Global Resolve for Peace (UGRFP), has called for establishment of an anti-terrorism task force by the bloc.

The organisation said the call became necessary, as terrorist networks have forged Trans-West Africa alliances, underscoring the need for a collaborative approach.

On Sunday, military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced their immediate withdrawal from ECOWAS.

Leaders of the three Sahel nations issued a statement, saying it was a “sovereign decision” to leave ECOWAS “without delay.”

Struggling with jihadist violence and poverty, the regimes have had tense ties with the bloc since coups took place in Niger last July, Burkina Faso in 2022 and Mali in 2020.

All three were suspended by the community, with Niger and Mali, facing heavy sanctions.
Reacting, Chairman of UGRFP, Shalom Olaseni, in a statement, yesterday, said that the organisation has continually advocated creation of anti-terrorism task force, recognising the escalating threat of terrorism across West African states.

He said the rising coups in West African states are intrinsically linked to pervasive terrorism.

His words: “During a crucial meeting with the then-Parliament Speaker, Moustapha Cisse, UGRFP emphasised the need for immediate action.

“The rising instances of coups in West African states are intrinsically linked to the pervasive terrorism in these nations. Governments and military agencies have struggled to effectively counter these threats, necessitating the establishment of a proactive and permanent ECOWAS Anti-terrorism Task Force.

“Terrorist networks have forged Trans-West Africa alliances, underscoring the need for a collaborative approach. UGRFP emphasises that this task force should not only be raised reactively during coups and unrest, but should be a statutory entity, equipped to address the continuous and evolving challenges of terrorism.”

“The proposed task force aims to eliminate safe harbours for terrorists across West Africa. By fostering regional cooperation, it seeks to bring enduring peace to the region, laying the foundation for economic growth and prosperity. UGRFP believes that only through the establishment of a robust and permanent ECOWAS Anti-terrorism Task Force can West African states collectively safeguard their citizens and secure a brighter future for the entire region.”

Meanwhile, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, has claimed that ECOWAS has turned into a battlefield between Russia and United States, following decision of the Alliance of Sahel States (Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger) to leave the West African bloc.

The three countries that were founding members of the bloc in 1975 have experienced military coups in the last four years: Niger (2023), Burkina Faso (2022) and Mali (2020).

Speaking during a live programme yesterday, Akinyemi stated that their decisions were worrisome to ECOWAS.

He said:  “We have a crisis at hand, and the reason I call it a crisis is because, in terms of landmass, that’s about half of ECOWAS. So, we’re not dealing with just a little hiccup on our hands.

“ECOWAS is being turned into a confrontational field between Russia and the United States of America. The fact that this statement came just after U.S. Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, left Nigeria is significant, and we should pay attention to it.

“Another issue is that Guinea has a military regime, but the country is not going along with these three, whether in the alliance that they have formed or kicking out the French.

“They said they’re leaving immediately; however, ECOWAS protocol says one year, and during that one year, you carry out all your responsibilities. With their decisions to leave immediately, are you going to force them to stay or use the confusing situation to try to bring palliative into the situation?”

Speaking further, Akinyemi stated that Nigeria has a role to play, and must call on Russia to stop its intervention in the West African bloc.

He added:  “There must be a role for Nigeria. Nigeria does not have a hostile relationship with Russia. Therefore, there ought to be some tough talk between the Foreign Ministry and the Russian embassy.

“Nigeria, which shares a common border with Niger, does not want a topsy-turvy diplomatic situation.

“We don’t want to be victims of the confrontation going on between Russia and NATO, and we see the hand of Russia in these people leaving, and we’re going to hold Russia responsible to bring them back.

“I don’t believe that what is happening is going to be solved easily because we now have this confrontation between Russia, western countries and NATO. We should have that at the back of our minds.”