By Nefishetu Yakubu
Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has urged Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to pursue reconciliation with Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.
Sanusi made the call at a public lecture organised by National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) on Thursday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lecture was entitled “ECO Currency and Monetary Integration in West Africa: Implications for Nigeria.”
Sanusi said that the withdrawal of the three Sahel countries had weakened regional integration, security cooperation and economic opportunities across West Africa.
He described Niger as a strategic buffer between Nigeria and extremist threats operating across Libya, Algeria and other parts of North Africa.
He noted that Nigeria’s national security architecture historically relied on cooperation with Niger, making the country’s alienation a serious strategic concern.
The former CBN governor recalled Niger’s support for Nigeria during the civil war, noting that past leaders prioritised regional solidarity in spite of international pressure and divisions.
He said diplomatic efforts were made to prevent the deterioration of relations, adding that mistakes by key actors contributed to the crisis.
The Emir noted that international relations required pragmatism, stressing that political ideals must be balanced with prevailing realities and national interests.
He urged governments, religious leaders, civil society organisations and citizens to continue engaging their counterparts in affected countries toward ensuring reconciliation.
“An integration of 15 countries is better than one with 12 countries. The whole of Africa is better than just West Africa,” he said.
The royal father stated that ECOWAS could function without the three countries but would lose significant benefits associated with broader regional cooperation and markets.
Referencing Britain’s exit from the European Union, he cautioned that political and economic consequences often followed decisions that weakened integration.
He cited markets in Kano as serving traders from Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso, Mali and Ghana, thus demonstrating the importance of regional trade networks.
According to him, Nigeria stands to gain immensely by transforming neighbouring countries into viable export markets through stable political relationships.
Sanusi said President Bola Tinubu faced difficult circumstances during the Niger crisis, having assumed office without a fully constituted cabinet.
He noted that patience and dialogue could have produced a quicker resolution, stressing that substantial goodwill still existed among regional leaders.
“I still think there is a great possibility for reconciliation. I am not pessimistic at all,” Sanusi said.
On the proposed ECO currency, Sanusi said ECOWAS member-states must first achieve economic convergence before pursuing a common regional currency arrangement.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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