Former aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode has expressed his disappointment and concern over the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The decision by the military regimes in these countries was announced on Sunday.
The leaders of the Sahel nations made a joint statement explaining that their departure from ECOWAS was a “sovereign decision” that they would implement immediately.
It is worth noting that all three countries had previously been suspended from ECOWAS, with Niger and Mali facing severe sanctions.
The military juntas in these nations have recently taken a more rigid stance and formed an “Alliance of Sahel States.”
“The withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Mali from ECOWAS is a sad and unfortunate development,” Fani-Kayode wrote on X.
“The fact that they have formed a hostile confederation right on our northern border is also troubling and has grave implications for our security.
“May God restore the brotherhood and unity we once enjoyed in our sub-region, and may He preserve the peace.”