Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode has said that the decision of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic to withdraw their membership of the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS was not only a sad and unfortunate development but also dangerous, especially for Nigeria’s fledging internal security.

He noted that the development is further worsened by the fact that in addition to quitting their membership of the regional body, the trio, which are currently under military regime have gone ahead to form a hostile confederation around Nigeria’s northern borders, which is currently face with worsening insecurity for over a decade made the matter worse.

He however prayed God to restore peace, unity and brotherhood to the troubled sub-region.

In a post on his verified X handle @realFFK, the former Minister said: “The withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic from ECOWAS is a sad and unfortunate development.

“The fact that they have formed a hostile confederation right on our northern border is also troubling and has grave implications for our security. May God restore the brotherhood and unity we once enjoyed in our sub-region and may He preserve the peace.”

Recall that the three military-led West African nations had announced their immediate withdrawal from regional bloc ECOWAS, accusing the body of becoming a threat to its members.

Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso “decide in complete sovereignty on the immediate withdrawal” from the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS, read a joint statement published on Sunday.

ECOWAS “under the influence of foreign powers, betraying its founding principles, has become a threat to its member states and its population”, read the statement.

The three countries accused the regional body of failing to support their fight against “terrorism and insecurity”, while imposing “illegal, illegitimate, inhumane and irresponsible sanctions”.

Meanwhile ECOWAS had in a statement said that it had not been notified of the countries’ decision to quit the bloc. Its protocol provides that withdrawal takes up to one year to be completed.

“Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali remain important members of the Community and the Authority remains committed to finding a negotiated solution to the political impasse,” it said.

Widely seen as West Africa’s top political and regional authority, the 15-nation bloc of ECOWAS – formed in 1975 to “promote economic integration” in member states – has struggled in recent years to reverse rampant coups in the region where citizens have complained of not benefitting from rich natural resources.

Military power grabs took place in Mali in 2020 and 2021, in Burkina Faso in 2022 and in Niger in 2023.