A renowned constitutional lawyer, Sebastian Hon, has urged the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), not to admit Morocco into its fold.
Mr. Hon, who is also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), made the call in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.
Morocco, a North African country, which had long lost its membership of the then Organization of African Unity, OAU (now African Union – AU), was only readmitted into the AU on Tuesday, January 3.
The country now wants to return as a member of ECOWAS as confirmed recently by Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama.
However, Mr. Hon kicked against the move and said it is queer and very suspicious in timing.
“I submit that this quest by Morocco is queer and very suspicious in its very nature and timing, should be rejected,” Mr. Hon said.
Citing an OAU Resolution No. CM/Res.464 (XXVI) signed in 1976, which divided the African continent into five geopolitical zones namely; Northern, Western, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, the lawyer argued Morocco by that resolution was a North African country.
Continuing, he said, “Morocco cannot, therefore, at the instance of ECOWAS alone, become a member of the West African Regional Community, except if Resolution CM/Res.464 (XXVI) is revoked or altered by the AU Council of Ministers.”
Months ago, Ivorian President, Alasanne Quattara, told the BBC that Morocco’s ECOWAS membership bid had been agreed upon in principle, including Tunisia which is seeking observer status.
Mr. Hon said Mr. Quattara’s statement to BBC was unacceptable, noting the two countries should not be admitted in the sub-regional body.
“I respectfully urge Nigeria’s political leadership, the Presidency, and the National Assembly, and the political leadership of other West African countries to resist this move and reject the alluring advances of both Morocco and Tunisia,” he said.
“ECOWAS, as the name suggests, is simply and limitedly a West African regional organisation and not an Avante garde that could accommodate all geo-political setups, except if located in West Africa.
“Admitting Morocco and Tunisia will be akin to admitting a country like Brazil or Argentina into North America and called the United States of America, USA.”
On the issue of regional security and boundary, the constitutional lawyer said ECOWAS had made provisions for its member-states to enjoy mutual security and trade deals, which were based on mutual boundary lines.
He queried how Morocco and indeed Tunisia, which is being considered for observer status fit into the regional trade and security status especially as they share no border with any West African country.
Mr. Hon, therefore, advised the Nigerian Government and ECOWAS leadership to reverse their decisions on Morocco and Tunisia.
He said, “I call on all countries that make up ECOWAS to reject the membership bids of Morocco and Tunisia, because, in my humble judgment, such moves have clandestine motives not yet disclosed.
“This is a country that has been on an unwarranted standoff with the OAU (the AU) for 34 years, over its indefensible actions in Western Sahara. How can such a country suddenly become a beautiful bride to ECOWAS?”
Drawing attention to how the regional body forcefully restored democratic rule in The Gambia months ago, Mr. Hon said the illegal membership sought by Morocco and Tunisia should not be allowed.
