ECOWAS Sets January 29 for Withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially approved the withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from the regional body, marking a pivotal moment in the West African geopolitical landscape.
The decision was announced yesterday by ECOWAS Commission President, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, at the conclusion of the 66th Ordinary Summit of the Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja.
The withdrawal, set to take effect on 29 January 2025, follows Article 91 of the revised ECOWAS Treaty.
This formal departure comes after the three nations accused the regional bloc of straying from its foundational ideals and yielding to external pressures, particularly regarding sanctions imposed to counter their respective military coups.
While the countries will cease to be members of ECOWAS from January 2025, the bloc has introduced a transitional period lasting until 29 July 2025, during which efforts to re-engage the nations will continue.
Touray disclosed that the mandates of Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé, key mediators in the crisis, have been extended to sustain dialogue throughout this period.
Touray emphasised, “The Authority has decided to keep ECOWAS doors open to the three countries during the transition period.”
He added that the Commission is tasked with initiating withdrawal formalities and developing a contingency plan to address political and economic relations post-withdrawal.
An extraordinary session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers is slated for mid-2025 to finalise separation modalities and the contingency framework.
The withdrawal stems from a sequence of military takeovers – Mali in 2020 and 2021, Burkina Faso in 2022, and Niger in 2023.
The coups led to the suspension of these countries from ECOWAS and a series of sanctions that further strained their relations with the bloc.
Speaking at the summit, ECOWAS Chairman and Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, underscored the need for democratic stability across West Africa.
He lauded Ghana’s recent peaceful elections as a beacon of democratic progress, urging leaders to prioritise national unity and emulate such democratic practices.
“I urge all of us in the region to learn from this good democratic practice,” Tinubu said, referencing Ghana’s smooth electoral transition where incumbent Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia conceded defeat to President-elect John Dramani Mahama even before official results were announced.
Tinubu praised the leadership of Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo and commended Senegal for successfully conducting parliamentary elections.
He also highlighted regional achievements, including strides in trade integration through the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and regional infrastructure projects such as the West African Gas Pipeline.
Dr Touray commended Nigeria for fulfilling its financial commitments to ECOWAS, paying 100 per cent of its community levy for 2023 and substantial remittances for 2024 under Tinubu’s administration.
“This payment underscores Nigeria’s leadership and commitment to our community,” Touray noted, adding that the remittances reflect confidence in ECOWAS leadership.
Looking Ahead
As ECOWAS approaches its 50th anniversary in 2025, Tinubu called on member states to reaffirm their dedication to the bloc’s founding ideals of economic integration, peace, and prosperity.
He urged leaders to focus on creating an environment that fosters stability and growth for their citizens.
The summit was attended by the presidents of Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Senegal, and other key officials from member states.
With the withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso looming, ECOWAS faces the challenge of balancing regional unity with the sovereign decisions of its members while navigating the complex political dynamics of West Africa.
Source: Thisday
