President Nana Akufo-Addo has expressed his disappointment over the decision by military juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) following recent coups in the region.
Speaking during an interview with France 24, Akufo-Addo highlighted the importance of regional cooperation and diplomacy in addressing the growing political and security crises in West Africa.
The president emphasized that despite the setbacks, he remains hopeful that diplomacy can facilitate the return of these nations to the ECOWAS fold.
He noted that the bloc’s role in maintaining peace and stability in the region is critical, especially given the rising threats of extremism.
Since the withdrawal of French troops from the Sahel in 2023, West Africa has seen an uptick in militant activity, further complicating the security landscape.
Akufo-Addo acknowledged that the region’s security situation has worsened, with extremist groups taking advantage of the power vacuum left by the departing French forces.
In response to this escalating threat, President Akufo-Addo called for stronger collaboration among West African nations.
He urged ECOWAS member states to intensify their efforts in restoring peace and stability to the region, warning that the growing insecurity poses significant risks not only to the affected countries but to the entire sub-region.
