Tuggar: Exit of AES Countries Will Have Far-reaching Consequences for West Africa’s Security, Economy, Integration Efforts

By: Michael Mike

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar has warned that the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will have far-reaching consequences for regional security, economy, and integration efforts.

The minister in a statement on Wednesday by his spokesman, AlKasim AbdulKadir noted that the exit of these countries from ECOWAS is a complex issue that requires careful consideration and diplomatic efforts to address the underlying concerns.

The Minister stressed that the decision to impose sanctions on these countries was a collective one made by the ECOWAS Heads of States and Government, noting that President Bola Tinubu has been working tirelessly to address the concerns of these countries through diplomatic channels.

Tuggar said: Several delegations have been sent to these countries, and the presidents of Togo and Sierra Leone have been appointed as mediators to facilitate dialogue.

“Additionally, ECOWAS has lifted sanctions on these countries, paving the way for potential reconciliation.”

Tuggar also said, the security implications of this exit are a significant concern, as the region is already grappling with terrorism and humanitarian crises.

He said: “ECOWAS has established a 1650-man strong brigade to combat terrorism and offered financial assistance to support the affected countries in their fight against terrorism.

“The economic implications are also substantial, as these countries will no longer be part of the regional economic community, potentially limiting their access to markets and hindering economic growth.”

“The withdrawal may also disrupt regional integration efforts, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“The African Union and other international organisations have expressed concerns about the potential impact on regional integration efforts and the stability of the continent.

The Minister emphasized the need for continued collaboration and cooperation to mitigate the challenges arising from this development.

He said: “The regional bloc has also offered support to the affected countries to address their security concerns.

“We recognize the challenges faced by these countries, and we are committed to providing assistance to help them address their security concerns.”

He also said the exit of these countries from ECOWAS has also raised concerns about the potential impact on regional health organisations.

He noted that: “The West African Health Organization (WAHO) is based in Burkina Faso, and its relocation could have significant implications for the region.

He however emphasized that the door remains open for these countries to rejoin the regional bloc. “We hope that they will take advantage of this opportunity to re-engage with their West African neighbors and work towards a more stable and prosperous future for all.” He said.

While reacting to uncertainty surrounding the future of the Alliance of Sahel States(AES) countries’ relationship with ECOWAS, Tuggar said with continued diplomacy, cooperation, and a commitment to the well-being of the people, it is possible to navigate these challenges and promote a more stable and prosperous West Africa.

“The region is at a critical juncture, and the decisions made in the coming months and years will have a lasting impact on the future of West Africa.

“As such, it is essential that leaders prioritize the needs and concerns of the people and work towards finding solutions that promote peace, stability, and prosperity.

“Ultimately, the future of the AES countries’ relationship with ECOWAS will depend on the ability of leaders to work together and find common ground.”

“As President Tinubu emphasized, the door remains open for these countries to rejoin the regional bloc, and it is hoped that they will take advantage of this opportunity to re-engage with their West African neighbors.” He said.

Tuggar: Exit of AES Countries Will Have Far-reaching Consequences for West Africa’s Security, Economy, Integration Efforts

NIGERIA: UN HIGH-LEVEL MISSION VISITS BAMA, BORNO STATE, AHEAD OF FIFTH LAKE CHAD BASIN GOVERNORS FORUM

By: Michael Mike

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mr. Leonardo Santos Simão, the SRSG for the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), Mr. Abdou Abarry, and the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Mr. Mohamed M. Fall, have visited Bama in Borno State, a day before the kick-off of the fifth Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum for Regional Cooperation on Stabilization, Peacebuilding, and Sustainable Development in Maiduguri.
 
The high-level officials highlighted the steady progress made in Bama. This includes joint Government, UN and partners efforts to provide internally displaced persons (IDPs) with humanitarian assistance and livelihood support and initiatives enhancing social cohesion and reintegration through social and economic activities. They also noted the challenges that remain including violence, the threat posed by the climate crisis, and inadequate basic services.
 
The officials visited a centre equipping young girls and boys with livelihood skills run by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and a UNICEF-run social cohesion project at the Government Senior Secondary School (GSSS) camp. In addition, they visited a nutrition centre supported by the World Food Programme (WFP) where malnourished children are receiving treatment. The officials also spoke with women and adolescent girls at a UNHCR/GISCOR Safe Space and met with representatives of humanitarian agencies in Bama. They also paid a courtesy call on the Shehu of Bama Dr. Umar Kyari Umar El-kanemi.
 
“I returned to Bama today, eight years since my last visit – which was a few months after it was liberated from the insurgency. A lot has changed since then, with marked improvement in the lives of people affected by the crisis. While there is still work to be done to address insecurity and its impact on civilians, I thank the Borno State authorities, donors, UN agencies and partners for their commitment and dedication through this journey that has made Bama what it is today. I also call for sustained support to address the remaining challenges,” said the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall.
 
Bama town remains vulnerable to attacks by non-state armed groups due to its proximity to the Sambisa Forest. This has made it difficult for communities to carry out livelihood activities, including farming, fishing and firewood collection. This has increased their dependence on humanitarian assistance.
 
Bama illustrates the situation of many communities across the Lake Chad Basin impacted by 16 years of conflict in the region.
 
The fifth Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum will be held from 29 to 31 January in Maiduguri. It aims to foster dialogue, coordination and cross-border cooperation among state and national governments, the UN, regional economic communities, civil society organizations, and other partners to address the pressing challenges facing the region and to devise strategies for long-term stability and development.

Resources for media: Photos of the UN high-level mission to Bama, Borno State
 
Notes to editor:

• The fifth Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum will be held from 29 to 31 Januaryin Maiduguri. It aims to foster dialogue, coordination and cross-border cooperation among state and national governments, the UN, regional economic communities, civil society organizations, and other partners to address the pressing challenges facing the region and to devise strategies for long-term stability and development.
• NIGERIA: UN HIGH-LEVEL MISSION VISITS BAMA, BORNO STATE, AHEAD OF FIFTH LAKE CHAD BASIN GOVERNORS FORUM

ECOWAS Court Declares Inadmissible Case of Human Rights violations Againat Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

The Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS has declared inadmissible, a case of alleged human rights violations brought by a Nigerian suing on behalf of Makia Media Limited, and dismissed all claims sought by the Applicant.

In its judgment delivered by Justice Sengu Koroma, Judge Rapporteur, the Court noted it had jurisdiction to hear the case centred on alleged human rights violations. On admissibility, the Court held that although the Applicant had jurisdiction to bring a claim for human rights violation as a corporate body, it neither met the requirement of ‘actio popularis’ principle that is, an action for the benefit of the public, nor demonstrated that the victims cannot be envisioned by the Court.

Consequently, the Court declared the case inadmissible after noting that the Applicant lacked the legal capacity to bring the matter before the Court as actio popularis, and equally failed to present evidence mandating him to act in a representational capacity on behalf of Makia Media Limited.
“The reliefs sought must be exclusively for the benefit of the public to the exclusion of the personal interest of the Applicant,” the judgment stated.

In the initiating application with suit number ECW/CCJ/APP/43/21, the Applicant, Patrick Eholor suing on behalf of Makia Media Limited alleged that the Respondent, Federal Government of Nigeria through its agent and extant laws governing broadcasting in Nigeria violated the rights of human rights defenders, activists, bloggers, journalists, broadcasters and social media users including their rights to freedom of expression, and information.
He added that various provisions of Nigeria’s Broadcasting Code were inconsistent with the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other international Treaties and Conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory.

He claimed that in July 2020, the Respondent through its agent – Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) began implementation of repressive Sections of the Code particularly Sections 5, 4 (1), (f) and 5 (4), (3). Furthermore, NBC considered all coverage on security issues as threat to governance and engaged in arbitrary arrest and detention of media practitioners. He further claimed the Respondent also failed to release public information sought by practitioners.

On their part, the Respondent denied the claims of the Applicant arguing that no court had declared any Sections of the NBC Code as ambiguous or illegal and that the Applicant had not been prevented from exercising its rights within the limits of the law. It added that the Applicant was not at any time arrested or detained. It contended that the Applicant being a corporate body lacked the capacity to sue for violation of human rights.

After deliberation, the Court upheld the preliminary objection raised by the Federal Republic of Nigeria when it declared the entire suit inadmissible “both as an actio popularis suit and a representational suit. It also dismissed all other claims.

As to cost, the Court recalled its previous award of the sum of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (against the Respondent state for tardiness), it therefore ordered the payment of the interlocutory cost of 250,000 Naira in favour of the Applicant.

With Justice Koroma on the bench were Justices Ricardo Claúdio Monteiro Gonçalves (presiding) and Dupe Atoki (member).

ECOWAS Court Declares Inadmissible Case of Human Rights violations Againat Nigeria