Tinubu, Mahama discuss regional security, economic cooperation

By Kunle Sanni

President Bola Tinubu and former Ghanaian President John Mahama met on Thursday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja to discuss security challenges in the Sahel and economic cooperation within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, President Tinubu commended Mahama’s efforts in fostering dialogue between ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which comprises Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

“I feel good that he is here in the first place. I am indeed very happy with the efforts he has made to build a bridge between the AES countries and ECOWAS,” Tinubu said. “It’s not a bad idea for us, considering the security situation in the Sahel region and the economic opportunities we must explore to ensure the security of lives and the prosperity of our citizens.”

The Nigerian leader emphasized that regional security and economic stability must remain a priority, noting that ordinary citizens are the ones most affected by instability.

On his part, Mahama described the visit as an opportunity to update Tinubu on developments in the Sahel following his recent engagements with the leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

“As ECOWAS Chairman, it’s my duty to brief him on some of the concerns that were raised there so that we can continue to engage in dialogue with those countries,” Mahama stated.

When asked about progress, Mahama acknowledged the complexity of the situation.

“Well, it’s a complicated situation, and it’s not as easy as we think. We just need to continue to dialogue and see how we can move forward together,” he said.