President Bola Tinubu has said the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will continue persuading Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso to return to the bloc.
He stated this via a statement on Friday by his spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale.
Ngelale said that the bloc would continue to be friendly to the countries.
Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso severed ties with ECOWAS after sanctions were imposed on them by the bloc following coups in their domains.
However, speaking during a meeting with ECOWAS defence chiefs, Tinubu promised to persuade the aggrieved countries to return to the fold.
“It is in our hearts to make sure that security is enhanced, and that constitutional government is defended and promoted in our region.
“It has been a challenging tenure for me since three members indicated their exit. We will work hard to persuade them to return, whichever way.
“No one man is smarter than the group of heads that is here. We will do everything to offer a hand of friendship to them and give them reasons to come back to us.
“The solution to terrorism and other challenges lies in our hands. We have to do it together.
“The ECOWAS standby force must be ready. We will continue to invest in this, as well as in the economic prosperity and opportunities across our region,” the statement reads.
