Invitation to Sahel Military leaders to ECOWAS summit an opportunity to re-engage - Charles Owiredu

Charles Owiredu, a former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, spoke about the upcoming ECOWAS Summit in Accra. He sees it as a chance to engage with the military-led governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. These countries have withdrawn from the regional bloc.

On JoyNews' The Pulse on April 17, Mr. Owiredu stressed the importance of dialogue. He believes it is crucial to keep the door open for these Sahel nations to return.

“This is an opportunity to re-engage,” he said. He hopes to bring these countries back and restore multi-party democracy.

His comments follow President John Dramani Mahama's invitation to leaders of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This alliance was formed after their exit from ECOWAS earlier this year.

Their departure raised concerns about trade barriers and regional security. It also affected freedom of movement within the region.

Mr. Owiredu pointed out ECOWAS's achievements that could encourage their return. He mentioned efforts promoting free movement of goods and people.

He highlighted the elimination of customs duties under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS). “We enjoy visa-free travel across member states,” he noted.

These benefits have improved economic integration in the region. He also praised ECOWAS’s role in peacekeeping and conflict resolution.

He referenced past interventions by ECOMOG in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea as vital for stability.

However, he acknowledged that ECOWAS faces internal challenges too. There are stalled efforts for a single currency and inconsistent economic convergence among members.

“When Ghana’s Finance Minister presented the last budget, it showed Ghana met only two out of four criteria,” he explained. This highlights hurdles in achieving macroeconomic alignment within ECOWAS.