Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Sulemana Braimah has lauded President John Mahama as the most effective representative of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in the ongoing efforts to resolve the military impasse among member states.

Speaking on JoyNews' Newsfile programme on Saturday, January 25, Mr Braimah highlighted President Mahama's diplomatic expertise and leadership qualities as key assets in addressing the growing political instability in the region, particularly in countries where military coups have disrupted democratic governance.

“The indication that I got was that, I think the best foot forward for ECOWAS now in terms of the ongoing engagements and mediation efforts to get these three countries to stay, the best foot appears to be President Mahama,” he stated.

He added, “He has been there before as President, had good relations with these three countries, and if you remember, Burkina Faso took very strong exception to what (former) President Akufo-Addo did when he visited the US, in terms of accusing the Burkinabe authorities of using their mineral resources to support Russia in doing certain things.”

He further emphasised the President’s commitment to taking strategic measures to bring these three countries back to democratic governance.

“So I think President Mahama is taking some strategic steps to bring these people back,” he said.

His comments come amid ongoing challenges faced by ECOWAS in tackling the rise of military takeovers in countries such as Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso.

The regional body has been actively seeking ways to restore constitutional order and strengthen democratic institutions in these states.