The United Nations (UN) has called on West African countries experiencing unconstitutional changes in government to transition back to democratic rule.
Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), Amina Mohammed, made the call on Friday at the State House, Abuja, after a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.
The UN envoy said she and her team were in Abuja to update President Tinubu on their findings from the visits they made to some countries in Africa and West Africa.
It would be recalled that Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have been under military rule since the constitutionally elected administrations were toppled by soldiers at different points, between 2020 and 2023.
Mohammed, speaking to journalists after the meeting with President Tinubu, emphasised the need for these countries to display a roadmap for returning to democracy to gain international support.
She highlighted the importance of regional integration and praised the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for its efforts in promoting dialogue and engagement in the region.
Mohammed noted that countries in crisis have prioritised security, the fight against terrorism, investments in food security, and job creation for young people.
Asked what the global body told the leaders of the countries under military rule, she said “What we’re telling these countries is that a number of them have a crisis, they have unconstitutional changes and what they must do is to come back to a transition and a process to democracy.
“On the other hand, they have to look also at the development paradigm for their people; there is terrorism. But there’s also a need to look at jobs, food security and energy, all of which also have to continue.
“Now if they can display a roadmap that gives everyone some confidence that there is a return to democratic rule, then they will find the support. I believe that in ECOWAS, we are a family, and regional integration is at the heart of it.
“It is what these countries have said, and the proposal by ECOWAS in its last meeting, to have President Faye of Senegal and President Faure of Togo to continue that dialogue and engagement is a good one.
“The response from them is that clearly they feel that they have not had the same support of ECOWAS that they envisaged and a lack of understanding that in some cases, they of course are going to go ahead with their alliance, but at the same time they expressed their priorities.
“First was security and the fight against terrorism. The second was investments, which they were looking for in certain areas like food security and job creation for young people”, she said.
Mohammed said she visited Senegal, Guinea Conakry, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, as well as Ethiopia for a finance mission, to engage with leaders and assess the region’s challenges.
