President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to pursuing diplomatic solutions to the political impasse in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, ensuring that innocent citizens are not made to bear the brunt of the actions of military regimes.
He said the leadership of the three countries had been reluctant to bring out transition programmes with clear dates.
Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State, however, stated that the regional bloc was poised to prioritise the interest and welfare of the citizens in the countries, affirming that wisdom and diplomacy would make the difference in reintegrating the countries into the commission.
According to a statement on Wednesday by President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu spoke on Tuesday when he received the President of Germany, Frank–Walter Steinmeier, in a state visit at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Onunuga’s statement was titled ‘We’ll handle return of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso with wisdom, diplomacy, President Tinubu tells German President.’
He quoted Tinubu as telling Steinmeier: “We will continue to lead by example. We have innocent citizens who are victims of the military. We will continue to explore diplomatic channels to navigate without punishing the innocent people.
“We will continue to allow free movement and trade. Though the transition programme is not sure or certain, we will not punish the innocent citizens; they are not in possession of power.”
President Tinubu’s comments come only days before ECOWAS heads of state are expected to take a major decision on Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso on Sunday, December 15.
Tinubu was re-elected for another one-year tenure as ECOWAS Chairman at the 65th Ordinary Session of the Authority held at the State House, Abuja, on July 7.
With his mandate renewed, the Nigerian leader appointed his Senegalese and Togolese counterparts, Bassirou Faye and Faure Gnassingbé, respectively, to lead ECOWAS’ mediation efforts with Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.
