Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has reacted to the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic from the regional bloc- Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS.

Three member-countries announced their exit from ECOWAS, following protracted disagreements over its rejection of military rule in West Africa. The countries also accused ECOWAS of being controlled by foreign interests.

Reacting to the development, Atiku, also the presidential candidate of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2023 general election, described it as a matter of serious diplomatic meltdown.

He said that ECOWAS cannot afford the exit of the three nations, especially as they are critical to the fight against terrorism in the region.

Atiku said- “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. -AA”

The three Sahel nations said in a joint statement on state televisions that they had made a “sovereign decision” to leave ECOWAS “without delay”.

The military governments said they have “decided in complete sovereignty on the immediate withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the ECOWAS,” alleging that the bloc has “moved away from the ideals of its founding fathers and pan-Africanism” after nearly 50 years of its establishment.

The statement added: “Furthermore, ECOWAS, under the influence of foreign powers, betraying its founding principles, has become a threat to its member states and its populations whose happiness it is supposed to ensure.”

However, ECOWAS claimed that it was yet to get notification about the withdrawal announced by governments of the three countries.

The bloc, in a statement yesterday, said it was yet to get any official or direct notification from the three countries.

The statement reads: “The attention of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Commission) has been drawn to a statement broadcast on the National Televisions of Mali and Niger announcing the decision of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to withdraw from ECOWAS.

“The ECOWAS Commission is yet to receive any direct formal notification from the three member states about their intention to withdraw from the community.

“The ECOWAS Commission, as directed by the Authority of Heads of State and Government, has been working assiduously with these countries for the restoration of constitutional order. Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali remain important members of the community and the authority remains committed to finding a negotiated solution to the political impasse.

“The ECOWAS Commission remains seized with the development and shall make further pronouncements as the situation evolves.”

The three countries were suspended from ECOWAS, with Niger and Mali facing heavy sanctions.

They have hardened their positions in recent months and joined forces in an “Alliance of Sahel States”.