The French Chargé d’affaires in Nigeria, Jean-Francois Hasperue, says his country supports the decision of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in February lifting sanctions on Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
The French envoy stated this in Abuja.
It will be recalled that ECOWAS had slammed sanctions on three of the Sahelian countries in 2023 following the takeover of power by the military in their countries.
ECOWAS leaders, however, rescinded the decision in February, barely a month after the three countries declared their intention to quit the sub-regional bloc and form the Alliance of Sahel States, a parallel group.
Hasperue said France is in support of ECOWAS in whatever it is doing to resolve the Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso imbroglio, to retain them in the sub-regional organization.
“So, when ECOWAS decided to make a diplomatic gesture towards these countries in February, we supported the decision.
“As a matter of principle, France and the European Union support political decisions by sub-regional organisations like ECOWAS.
“We did the same for the East African Community, for example, when the community was mandated to try and help in the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC.
“So, regions decide their political orientation and the international community supports them.
“That’s how we address issues and crises in Africa – in partnership.”
