Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali jointly withdraw from ECOWAS.
On January 29,2025, the Economic Community of West African (ECOWAS) States issued a press release announcing the withdrawal of Mali, the Republic of Burkina Faso, and the Republic of Niger from ECOWAS.
According to sources, this decision was communicated about a year ago. The three countries’ junta leaders had jointly informed ECOWAS about their intentions to exit the bloc in order to pursue other novel alliances.
The ECOWAS, which was created in 1975 to promote economic integrity and stability in West Africa, had expressed concern over the wellbeing citizens in the three countries.
The three junta leaders’ imposing coups in their various nations, which deprives individuals of their democratic rights and privileges, was condemned by ECOWAS.
In regards, the three junta leaders of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, launched their own mutual defence alliance pact against ECOWAS called the Alliance of Sahel States in 2023.
The Sahel Alliance States accuses the ECOWAS community of being too much under the influence of their former colonial masters. They have been expressing their urge to completely decolonise these three countries from external influences.
Following their exit, ECOWAS assured that their “doors are still open” and further request that authorities from other member states within the ECOWAS community should maintain the following:
Firstly, to continue to recognise national passports and identify cards bearing the ECOWAS logo held by citizens from the three countries.
Secondly, to continue to treat goods and services coming from the three countries in accordance with the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and investment policy.
Thirdly, to continue to allow citizens of the three countries to continue to enjoy the right of visa-free movement, residence, and establishment in accordance with the ECOWAS protocols until further notice.
Lastly, member states will also continue to provide full support and cooperation to ECOWAS officials from the three countries in the course of their assignments for the community.
ECOWAS concludes that the arrangement will be in place until full determination of future engagements with the three exiting countries.