Former Nigerian President General Yakubu Gowon has called on ECOWAS Heads of State and Government to lift the sanctions imposed on the aggrieved member states that withdrew from the subregional economic bloc.
In a letter delivered to the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, at the ECOWAS headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, Gowon appealed to the ECOWAS leadership and the three aggrieved countries, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic, to set aside their differences for the sake of regional peace, unity, and prosperity.
He requested that ECOWAS lift its sanctions on the three countries and urged the three nations to reconsider their decision to leave the Community.
Gowon, one of the founding fathers of ECOWAS, emphasized the need for dialogue among the heads of state, including the three aggrieved countries, to find a resolution.
The former Nigerian Head of State stressed that this action is crucial for the unity and stability of the region, aligning with the aspirations of the founding fathers.
Expressing his sadness over the unfolding developments in the sub-region, Gowon also expressed his willingness to engage with the leaders of member states to facilitate a reversal of the countries’ decision.
In his open letter, Gowon stated: “I have noted with deep concern and sadness, the past and recent developments unfolding in the West African sub-region, particularly the pronouncement by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger of their intention to exit from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS.”
