Russia Allegedly Influencing Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali Exit from ECOWAS

In a surprising turn of events, Burkina Faso, Niger Republic, and Mali have announced their immediate departure from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), raising eyebrows and prompting speculations about the underlying motives behind this move.

Former Nigerian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Bolaji Akinyemi, has suggested that Russia might have a hand in this decision, aiming to weaken Western influence in Africa.

Akinyemi, in an interview with ARISE NEWS, expressed his belief that Russia is encouraging these West African nations to break away from ECOWAS as part of a broader strategy to diminish Western influence in the region.

He pointed out that Russia has not demonstrated the capability to assist these countries in addressing security challenges, such as jihadist activities, despite emboldening their decision to exit the regional bloc.

The former minister highlighted the significance of these withdrawals, considering that the three nations collectively account for about half of ECOWAS in terms of landmass. He emphasized that this situation could potentially turn ECOWAS into a confrontational field between Russia and the United States, especially noting the timing of the withdrawal announcement after the visit of U.S. Secretary of State Blinken to Nigeria.

According to Akinyemi, the reasons provided by the departing nations, including allegations of ECOWAS being influenced by foreign powers and economic challenges due to sanctions, need careful diplomatic handling. He stressed the need for strategic thinking to prevent the situation from escalating into a crisis.

Moreover, Akinyemi suggested that Nigeria, being a key player in the region, should engage in diplomatic discussions with Russia to avoid becoming a victim of the potential confrontation between Russia and NATO. He recommended calling in the Russian ambassador and holding Russia accountable for the situation, urging a diplomatic resolution to prevent further escalation.

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As ECOWAS grapples with this unexpected development, the international community is closely watching the evolving dynamics and diplomatic efforts to address the situation. The alleged involvement of Russia adds a layer of complexity to the geopolitical landscape in West Africa, requiring careful navigation to maintain regional stability.

In the midst of these geopolitical challenges, Akinyemi also commended the International Court of Justice’s verdict in the genocide case brought against Israel by South Africa. He praised South Africa for taking a stand in support of Palestinian rights during the Gaza war, emphasizing the importance of upholding humanitarian values on the global stage.