The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has expressed optimism that the three Sahel countries, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, which recently withdrew from ECOWAS, will soon return to the bloc.

The minister gave the assurance when he received the ECOWAS Parliament’s Speaker Memounatou Ibrahima, who led a delegation from the parliament on a courtesy visit to him on Friday in Abuja.

The visit was part of the parliament’s efforts to strengthen intergovernmental relations and democratic governance ahead of its 25th anniversary later in November.

He said, “We will continue to work hard towards the success of ECOWAS and all member states, including the three recently withdrawn ones, we are encouraging them to come back. As we keep saying, we have not closed the door on their return, we are confident that they will return because they are part and parcel of the region, it is just a matter of time.’’

According to him, although the three countries have exited ECOWAS, Nigeria and other member countries will continue relating with them as neighbours and work together in certain areas for mutual benefits.

The minister urged the media to de-emphasise the issues of their unfortunate exit and instead focus attention on the subregion’s economic development.

He also admonished the media and other West African stakeholders to highlight the prevailing positive developmental projects in the remaining 12 member states.

Mr Tuggar listed such projects to include the West African Power Pool, ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation scheme, Abidjan- Lagos Corridor, Abidjan –Dakar Corridor, among others, that would enhance regional development.

He described the ECOWAS Parliament as an embodiment of the representation of the citizens of member states with demonstrated commitment toward constitutional and democratic governance.

Speaking earlier, Ms Ibrahima told the minister that the delegation visited him to update him on the activities of the parliament over the last one and half years, as well as its future activities.

She disclosed that the parliament, which was established in 2000, was preparing for its 25th anniversary as a regional legislature.

She said, “We are working on how we can have some capability and enhancement so that we can have a more legislative role in the ECOWAS Community. We are looking at how we can support ECOWAS in all their programmes and activities.’’

Ms Ibrahima was accompanied on the visit by the parliament’s Fourth Deputy Speaker, Billay Tunkara and its Secretary General, Bertin Some, among others.

(NAN)