GLITZ TV
Burkina Faso, Niger Republic, and Mali have officially announced their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The joint statement, released on January 28, 2024, declared their sovereign decision to leave the regional union. The announcement was also broadcast on Niger Republic National Television.
In their joint statement, the leaders of the three Sahel countries stated that their withdrawal was due to the current state of ECOWAS, which they believe does not align with the original intentions of its founding fathers. They emphasized that the union has deviated from its original plan, leading them to withdraw as sovereign nations.
Colonel Amadou Abdramane, a spokesperson for the Niger junta, expressed regret and disappointment in the statement, highlighting that ECOWAS has failed to assist the three countries in their fight against terrorism and insecurity.
In September 2023, the three countries signed a mutual defense pact known as the Alliance of the Sahel States, which binds them to support each other in the face of armed rebellion or external aggression.
ECOWAS had previously imposed economic sanctions and suspended the three countries after military takeovers, which exacerbated the political tensions in the Sahel region.
The withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Niger Republic, and Mali from ECOWAS is expected to further complicate the demands of West African leaders for a transition to civilian rule in upcoming elections.
ECOWAS has stated that it has not received any official notification from the three countries regarding their withdrawal and affirmed its commitment to finding a negotiated solution to the political situation.
Former Nigerian presidential aide Tolu Ogunlesi explained the implications of withdrawing from ECOWAS, stating that the countries would lose access to the ECOWAS Passport regime, which allows visa-free travel within the bloc. He also noted that the landlocked nature of these countries would further isolate them.
Ogunlesi mentioned that this is not the first time countries have withdrawn from ECOWAS, citing Mauritania’s withdrawal in December 2000, followed by its reentry in December 2019 through a partnership agreement covering trade and migration with ECOWAS.
