ECOWAS Crisis: German President Steinmeier lauds Tinubu’s leadership

By Kunle Sanni

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has eulogised President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the departure of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). 

Steinmeier who gave the commendation when he was hosted by Tinubu in Abuja on Wednesday, praised the President’s leadership of ECOWAS, particularly in light of the recent challenges facing the regional bloc. 

In July, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso announced their decision to exit ECOWAS, citing their “irrevocable” departure after sanctions were imposed by the organization in response to military coups that ousted their democratically elected governments.

Steinmeier emphasized that the reintegration of these countries into the ECOWAS fold would have significant implications for both the economic and security stability of the West African region.

He stated that the reintegration of these countries will significantly impact the economy and security of the West Coast.

“I’m very happy, Mr. President, that you assumed chairmanship of ECOWAS, and you are making an effort to calm down the turbulences after Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso announced that they would leave the institution,” he said.

The German President added “That you try to contain the negative impacts of this, and you put in all your diplomatic efforts to stabilise regional cooperation and preserve regional cooperation, which is so important.

“We in Germany are also members of a regional organization, the European Union, and we know about the importance of regional cooperation, not just for business and the economy, but also when it comes to preserving political stability”.