In a significant diplomatic initiative this Friday, the Nigerian Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, held high-level talks with his French counterpart in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja. The key topics dominating their agenda included the political challenges faced by the ECOWAS nations, particularly in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, as well as bilateral cooperation and the need for a stronger African representation in global institutions.
The meeting aimed to address increasingly shared concerns about the current political issues within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The West African bloc, under Nigeria’s leadership, has found confronting junta-led regimes thorny at times, and their issue of newer strategic initiatives has been limited in recent times.
The French and Nigerian officials also eagerly monitored the signing of an instrumental pact between the French Agency for Development and the Nigerian government. Descriptions of this collaboration were not fully divulged, yet it is implied that it marks an essential step forward in promoting fruitful cooperation between the two nations.
With juntas currently ruling Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger after military coups, there has been mounting international apprehension. The transitions to democratic governance are interrupted in Mali and Burkina Faso, while the junta in Niger has outrightly ignored ECOWAS’s calls for an immediate restoration of constitutional order, nonchalantly proposing a transition of up to three years instead.
The two foreign ministers delved into this escalating crisis and explored possible pathways to facilitate a return of democracy. Notably, France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna expressed her nation’s readiness to back ECOWAS efforts directed towards restoring democracy in the troubled region.
France has a substantial history of involvement in these regions. However, recently, it has wrapped up its anti-jihadist military ventures in Mali and Burkina Faso and initiated the withdrawal of forces from Niger. This current state of play reaffirms France’s commitment to diplomatic and political resolutions for regional strife, pivoting away from military intervention.
The Nigerian Minister, Tuggar, used this diplomatic platform to express gratitude for France’s unwavering support for the UN Security Council’s democratization, where Nigeria harbours ambitions to secure a permanent seat in the future. He also articulated Nigeria’s keen interest in participating in the G20.
In response to the persistent political turmoil in Niger, ECOWAS has enacted stringent sanctions whilst also indicating the likelihood of military intervention as the last resort, thereby underlining its commitment to ensuring regional stability.
The Nigerian-French discussions proved to be crucial in mapping out plans to address the rampant unrest plaguing West Africa. The commitment shown by both nations exposes the common aim to secure and entrench democratic governance. The insistence on ECOWAS playing a fundamental role underscores the shared belief that regional bodies can be instrumental in avoiding and resolving conflicts. In light of this, nurturing bilateral and multilateral relationships, such as the one between Nigeria and France, will lay the cornerstone for ensuring peace, stability, and development in the region.
Image Credit: Emmanuel Ikwuegbu on Unsplash
