The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has formally approved the withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from the regional body.
The approval came a few days after President Bola Tinubu promised German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier that ECOWAS would handle the three countries’ return to the group with wisdom.
The decision, taken by the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, marked a significant shift in the West African geo-political landscape.
The approval of the countries’ exit was made public on Sunday by ECOWAS Commission President, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, at the end of the 66th Ordinary Summit of the Authority of Heads of State and Government, and ECOWAS Commission.
Touray said the three countries will formally cease to be members of ECOWAS on January 29, 2025, in accordance with Article 91 of the revised ECOWAS treaty.
Following their notifications to withdraw, the regional bloc outlined a transitional period from January 29 to July 29, 2025, keeping its doors open for the countries to reconsider their decision.
Acknowledging the diplomatic efforts led by Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye; Togolese President, Faure Gnassingbé; and ECOWAS chairman, Bola Tinubu, the bloc emphasised its commitment to fostering dialogue.
Touray said the Authority had extended the mandates of Gnassingbé and Faye to continue mediation efforts throughout the transition period.
He said ECOWAS, during the transitional phase, would focus on preparing for the separation.
ECOWAS also tasked its Commission President with initiating withdrawal formalities after January 29, 2025, and developing a contingency plan to address political and economic relations with the departing nations.
Additionally, the ECOWAS Council of Ministers would convene an extraordinary session in mid-2025 to finalise separation modalities and the contingency plan.
Touray stated, “The part of the communique I’ll be reading relates to the decision of the Republic of Mali, the Republic of Niger and Burkina Faso, to withdraw from ECOWAS.
“After deliberations, their excellencies, members of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, commend the exemplary diplomatic engagement of His Excellency, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of the Republic of Senegal, and His Excellency Faure Gnassingbé, President of the Togolese Republic, and the diplomatic efforts of the Chairman of Authority, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and other individual member states towards these three countries.
“The authority takes note of the notification by Burkina Faso, Republic of Mali and the Republic of Niger of their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS.
“The Authority acknowledges that in accordance with the provisions of Article 91 of the revised ECOWAS treaty, the three countries will officially cease to be members of ECOWAS from 29 January, 2025.
“The Authority decides to set the period from 29 January, 2025, to 29 July 2025, as a transitional period and to keep ECOWAS doors open to the three countries during the transition period.
“In this regard, the Authority extends the mandate of President Gnassingbé of Togo and President Faye of Senegal to continue their mediation role up to the end of the transition period to bring the three member countries back to ECOWAS.
“Without prejudice for the spirit of the opening, the Authority directs the President of the Commission to launch withdrawal formalities after the deadline of 29th January, 2025, and to draw up a contingency plan covering various areas.
“The Authority directs the Council of Ministers to convene an extraordinary session during the second quarter of 2025 to consider and adopt both separation modalities and the contingency plan covering political and economic relations between ECOWAS and the Republic of Niger, the Republic of Mali and Burkina Faso.”
In January, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger announced their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS.
They accused the regional bloc of deviating from its foundational ideals and succumbing to external influences, particularly criticising the imposition of sanctions aimed at reversing their respective coups.
The decision followed a series of military takeovers – Mali in 2020 and 2021, Burkina Faso in 2022, and Niger in 2023 – each leading to suspensions from ECOWAS and strained relations with the organisation.
Deji Elumoye
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