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As the Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convene for their pivotal meeting in Abuja today, a series of troubling developments in the region, ranging from attempts at tenure elongation to unconstitutional alterations of government, continue to cast a somber cloud over the region’s political landscape.
These concerns arise at a juncture when the region has experienced approximately nine coup d’états, both successful and unsuccessful, in recent years, with the most recent being the Niger Palace revolution.
Femi Falana, a distinguished Senior Advocate of Nigeria and a prominent human rights lawyer, has been addressing the fundamental issues that underlie the occurrence of unconstitutional changes of government within the region.
In his latest communication, the esteemed legal practitioner has put forth several proposed remedies aimed at halting this undesirable trend.
Falana, the Chair of the Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), underscored several crucial points during his address. One of the primary issues he highlighted is the imperative to confront the underlying causes of challenges, including the issue of uranium exploitation by France and the US in Niger.
He asserted, “The situation where Niger, the world’s fourth-largest producer of uranium, continues to grapple with extreme poverty is untenable.”
As leaders gather in Abuja, the anticipation within the West African community is palpable, as they hope for resolute actions that will lead to stability and prosperity within the region. Mr. Falana shares his perspective on the current state of affairs in ECOWAS, along with essential measures required to prevent the recurrence of such issues.
