#africanews #ibrahimtraoré #ecowas
Between 2020 and 2023, nine coups occurred in seven different African countries including Mali, Niger,Burkina Faso, Guinea, Chad, Gabon and Sudan. But amongst these seven African countries, only the coups in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have been widely embraced, accepted, and termed different because of the leaders and the actions they have taken since they took power. From kicking out French troops and cutting off relations with their former colonial master to withdrawing from the regional bloc, ECOWAS, the military leaders of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have proven that they are patriots who value the sovereignty and complete Independence of their countries. Their actions and attributes have endeared them to Africans including elites within and outside the continent. While a lot of Africans have applauded their recent decision to withdraw from the regional bloc, ECOWAS, there are still some people including their fellow military junta who feel otherwise.
One such military leader who feels this way is the President of Gabon, General Brice Nguema who took over power from the deposed President of Gabon, Ali Bongo, in August 2023. Speaking to the President of Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara, during a recent visit to the country, General Brice stated that it was necessary for Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso to reconsider their decision and return to the regional bloc. The Interesting thing is that Gabon is not a West African country, and as such it's not a member of ECOWAS, the regional bloc for West African countries. Instead, Gabon is a country in Central Africa, meaning it is a member of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). Why then is General Brice interested and requesting that Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso become members of ECOWAS once again? Is it because he is genuinely interested in regional unity and integration? Or is there an ulterior motive?
