The President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice (CCJ), Edward Asante, has appealed to the ECOWAS Parliament to continue engaging Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to reconsider their decision to exit the bloc.
Asante made the plea in a goodwill message at the opening of the 6th ECOWAS Parliament’s first ordinary session in Abuja on Monday.
The three Sahel countries announced their exit from ECOWAS in January after facing sanctions following military takeovers. Asante commended the parliament’s efforts to engage with the countries and urged sustained dialogue to ensure their return to the bloc.
He warned that the region’s democratic consolidation, regional cohesion, and integration efforts are threatened by the resurgence of military coups and the refusal of some states to return to the community. Asante expressed hope that the ECOWAS Commission’s work program presentation during the session would provide insight into regional efforts to reintegrate the affected states.
The CCJ President assured the parliament of the court’s support in its initiatives, emphasizing the need for solidarity and complementarity in achieving regional development.
