
Ghana, a country bordered by French-speaking countries with Burkina Faso to the North, Ivory Coast to the West, and Togo to the East, has once again demonstrated a great example to the rest of the continent by transitioning smoothly to a new administration. At a period where the unity of ECOWAS is at stake, and all indications point towards a total collapse in the coming years of a once formidable sub-regional grouping, Ghana has given hope to the region.
The sub-region has failed somewhat, in managing the recent events that saw the secession of some member states like Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, due to the fact that their leaders happen to be illegitimate because they came through the barrel of the gun. These seceded states have formed an alliance, which they christened, the “Alliance of the Sahel States”.
Quite recently, after the states expressed their desire to leave the organization, ECOWAS outlined an exit strategy to allow for the three states which are led by military juntas to formally leave, since ECOWAS protocol only allows states to leave the organization after one year of expressing their desire to do so. Much as negotiations are ongoing, and with the assurance of Nigeria’s president, H.E Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to continue mediation with the seceding states, the level of trust from these states remains the greatest challenge, since concerns have been raised about the desire of ECOWAS to destabilize and return their countries to civilian rule.
Now, how does President Mahama come in?
The return of President Mahama is historic and politically important for the ECOWAS sub-region. The subregion has lacked a leader of his caliber, one with a global appeal and a diplomatic juggernaut. President Mahama demonstrated that level of leadership, capacity, and commitment when he led ECOWAS as chairman for two terms. His tenure was met with the outbreak of Ebola, a deadly disease that had ravaged the lives of people, especially within the Sub-Saharan region. His leadership response and commitment to the fight against the disease was exemplary.
What should ECOWAS expect?
As obvious as it may sound, ECOWAS can expect renewed hope because a more experienced hand is back, and so the bilateral ties that bind us as a subregional group will be further consolidated. Due to the harsh economic and political sanctions imposed on countries like Niger, ECOWAS states have lost the ability to extend bilateral relations to them. Mahama’s return, though not a chair of the ECOWAS, proves to be a major source of hope for the organization since he is globally respected.
The attendance of over 21 heads of State, notably, Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso, tells how much respect President Mahama commands, and the camaraderie he shares with these African heads of state and other global leaders.
With Mahama’s return, ECOWAS can expect reconciliation and reintegration of these seceded states back into their fold. As a global mediator, President Mahama has the ability to lead negotiations or mediation in the Sahel region to find common ground amongst the various states. In the wake of the crucial election that was held in The Gambia in 2016, which took the instrumentality of President Mahama at the request of ECOWAS with the then Chairperson of ECOWAS, H.E Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to attempt a resolution of the heightened political situation in The Gambia after Yahya Jammeh refused to concede defeat.
Mahama’s return will further entrench the belief that Ghana remains the safest haven for its neighbors and all across the world. Ghana has always been known and touted for its acts of hospitality, and President Mahama in his first term, demonstrated that gesture of hospitality when he extended a hand of kindness and compassion to the GITMO-3 detainees and provided them with solace and refuge.
Ghana has been given another lifeline with the return of this great leader, and as he said at his inaugural address, Ghana is open to business. It will be a herculean task to get Ghana out of the woods, but with the level of commitment already demonstrated, there is hope for the nation of Ghana. Just like any other Ghanaian who remains hopeful with the return of President Mahama, ECOWAS can also hope again!
Author: Samuel Mahama
The author holds a Master of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy, a Master of Laws in International Law, and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B). His research interests include Regional Integration, pan-Africanism, International Law and Development, and Conflict Resolution.
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