We Refuse To Be Distracted’ — Tinubu Slams New Alliance Of Coup Leaders In Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso

‘We Refuse To Be Distracted’ — Tinubu Slams New Alliance Of Coup Leaders In Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso

— Recommends Good Governance To Stop Military Takeovers In Africa

President Bola Tinubu, Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has condemned the newly formed alliance of coup leaders in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, calling it “a phantom pushback” intended to distract democracy and good governance in the region.

Speaking at the 64th ordinary session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Tinubu emphasized the importance of good governance as a tool to prevent military takeovers and promote sustainable development.

He stated that by addressing the challenges of poverty, inequality, and other concerns of the people, leaders can eliminate the root causes of military interventions.

The coup leaders in the West African states of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso had in September formed what they called the “Alliance of Sahel States” to defend themselves from possible military intervention by ECOWAS.

They had warned that “any attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of one or more contracted parties will be considered an aggression against the other parties”.



But President Tinubu told West African leaders gathered during the meeting: “The phantom pushback Alliance appears intended to divert our attention from our mutual belief in and commitment to democracy and good governance that will impact the lives of our people.