Africa: Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger countries of Africa has given a 6-month deadline to reconsider their withdrawal from ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States).
These African countries have stated that their decision to leave ECOWAS is irreversible.
Reportedly, the three junta-led African countries Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger has announced visa-free travel and residency rights for citizens of the fifteen member ECOWAS bloc.
The decision was acknowledged by ECOWAS Heads of State during a Summit which was held in Abuja on Sunday, Dec 15, 2024. A transition period of six months will be commenced on Jan 29, 2025 after which the exit of the three Sahelian Countries will become definitive on July 30, 2025 unless they reconsider their decision.
President of the ECOWAS Commission – Omar Alieu Touray is responsible for supervising the withdrawal process. During the transition period, Touray and his team will address the status of ECOWAS contract, which considered the employees from Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
The team will also manage the relocation of community Agencies that has headquarters in these three nations which are the founding members of the organization.
Furthermore, while giving a formal and solemn address, President Touray reflected on an year of escalating tensions, during which the military juntas of these three nations often set agendas.
Touray Stated, “The Authority of Heads of State and Government notes that in accordance with Article 91 of the revised ECOWAS Treaty, the three countries will officially cease to be the members of ECOWAS as of Jan 29, 2025.”
“The Authority instructs the President of the Commission to initiate the withdrawal formalities after this deadline,” added President Omar Alieu Touray
Notably, the Commission will adhere to establish the procedures for managing the exit of the country, that it has drawn on its experience from Mauritania’s withdrawal in 2000.
However, when the Senegal and Togo requested, ECOWAS leaders agreed to continue mediation efforts with the departing nations.
For the time period of six-months, the commission intends to provide Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger an opportunity to reconsider their decision. If they decide not to return, then their withdrawal will be finalized on July 30, 2025.
It is an impending departure that marks a significant moment for ECOWAS. The withdrawal of these three nations as well as key players in the Sahel and founding members of the organization has raised questions about the bloc’s cohesion and especially about its ability to navigate the shifting dynamics of the region.