Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, The Gambia) – The ECOWAS Parliament has made a passionate appeal to Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, urging them to reconsider their withdrawal from the regional bloc. The three Sahel nations officially exited ECOWAS earlier this year, citing disagreements over the organization’s foundational principles and objecting to sanctions imposed following military takeovers.

During the closing ceremony of a five-day Joint Committee on Delocalized Meeting held in Banjul, The Gambia, the Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr., addressed the media, conveying the parliament’s strong desire for the return of the departed nations.

“We want you back. Let us come together as a team. No matter what, we agree to disagree,” Sen. Snowe stated, emphasizing the critical importance of regional unity and cooperation. He highlighted the potential adverse effects of the withdrawal on the socio-economic well-being of citizens within the Sahel region.

Sen. Snowe also cautioned the media against premature reporting on sensitive matters related to the ongoing efforts to mend the fractured relationship. “We don’t want premature reportage. So, the meeting resolutions are going to leave from us to the bureau. The bureau will review it, and it goes to the plenary,” he explained.

Expressing gratitude, Sen. Snowe thanked the press for their presence and cooperation throughout the meeting, which centered on the political, social, economic, and humanitarian consequences of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger’s departure from the ECOWAS Parliament. He noted the organization’s half-century of shared history, acknowledging that the withdrawal has presented significant challenges.

Echoing the Chairman’s sentiments, the Chairperson of the Committee on Social Affairs, Gender, Women in Parliament, and Oppressions with Disability, Hon. Veronica Seecay, made a direct appeal to the withdrawing nations. “We need you people, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali. We are a bloc. We should be working together,” she asserted.

Hon. Seecay underscored the value of solidarity among member states, referencing ECOWAS’s past interventions in Liberia and Sierra Leone during periods of conflict. “We’ve been helping each other. Like for us, who faced the war in Liberia and Sierra Leone. We appreciated the cause that was done by ECOWAS in their intervention to help us cool down the situation in Sierra Leone,” she recalled.

She further emphasized the disproportionate impact of conflict on vulnerable populations, particularly women and children, urging the Sahel countries to consider these humanitarian implications. “When there is a problem, who faces the bulk of it? It’s women and children,” she said.

In her closing remarks, Committee Member Hon. Zainab Gimba conveyed profound appreciation to the government and people of The Gambia for their warm hospitality. “We were deeply touched by the warm, fraternal, and gracious reception accorded to us by the authorities and the people of the Republic of The Gambia,” she stated.

Hon. Gimba also lauded The Gambia’s ongoing commitment to regional integration and development within ECOWAS institutions, and the ECOWAS Parliament specifically. She paid tribute to President Adama Barrow for his dedication to democratic principles and good governance.

Furthermore, she extended gratitude to the National Assembly of The Gambia, Speaker Fabakary Tombong Jatta, and the Gambian Delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, led by Hon. Billay G. Tunkara, for their exceptional hospitality. Appreciation was also expressed to the resource persons, participants, and administrative staff for their invaluable contributions to the meeting’s success.

The ECOWAS Parliament’s unified plea underscores the strong desire within the regional body to see the Sahel nations return to the fold, emphasizing the collective strength and shared future of West Africa.