ECOWAS: President Mahama Holds Crucial Talks with Burkina Faso Leader
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, 11 March, 2025 - Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama has embarked on a diplomatic mission to address the impending exit of Burkina Faso from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
In a meeting with Burkina Faso's leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, President Mahama acknowledged the deep-seated concerns driving the country's decision.
The Ghanaian leader's visit to Burkina Faso is part of his broader 'Good Neighbourliness Tour', aimed at fostering cooperation and understanding among West African nations. President Mahama's intervention comes at a critical juncture, as the region grapples with the far-reaching implications of Burkina Faso's ECOWAS exit.
In his discussions with Captain Traoré, President Mahama underscored the importance of rebuilding trust and confidence among ECOWAS member states.
“We’ve discussed the issue of, AES and, ECOWAS, and, I’ve got new perspectives about the concerns that the three countries, have, in respect of their relations with ECOWAS and so I assured mister president that at the next ECOWAS meeting, I would pass on what they have explained to me to the other leaders. I think there’s a breakdown of trust amongst the leadership. It will take time to rebuild it, but we have to work on it so that, we restore trust and confidence with each other so that we can work together, you know, even if we are not part of the same, regional body,'' Mahama stated.
He pledged to raise the concerns of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea at the next ECOWAS summit, seeking to address the underlying issues driving their disillusionment with the regional body.
“We also discussed security. I mean, in Africa, we say when your neighbour’s house is on fire, you have to help him to quench it. Otherwise, it will spread to your own house. This issue of terrorism started with Mali, and, it spread gradually into Niger and now into Burkina Faso. And like I said, terrorism is like a cancer. If you don’t fight it together, it will spread, throughout the body,” Mahama added.
As West Africa navigates this period of uncertainty, President Mahama's diplomatic efforts offer a glimmer of hope for renewed cooperation and dialogue. The success of his mission will depend on the willingness of regional leaders to engage in constructive dialogue and address the complex challenges facing their nations.
Source: Lead News Online
