Burkina Faso, Mali And Niger’s Withdrawal from ECOWAS is now a reality

Burkina Faso, Mali And Niger’s Withdrawal from ECOWAS is now a reality

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger will no longer be members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as of Wednesday January 29, 2025.

This was the main news to emerge from a press conference given on the same day in Abuja, Nigeria, by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray.

However, Dr Touray recalled the decision taken by the Heads of State and Government of the regional organization at their 66th session held on December 15, 2024, in Abuja, Federal Capital of Nigeria, to leave open the door of ECOWAS for dialogue to these three States for six months.

“I have already sent an official letter to these States, individually, to inform them that the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government have taken note of their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS, and I have proposed a technical meeting to determine the modalities of separation,” he said.

Pending this meeting, and in the spirit of regional solidarity and in the best interests of the people, Dr Omar Alieu Touray announced measures that the competent authorities, both inside and outside all ECOWAS member States, are obliged to respect.

One of these measures concerns the recognition, until further notice, of national identity cards and passports bearing the ECOWAS logo held by citizens of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

Goods and services from these three countries will continue to be treated in accordance with ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme and ECOWAS Investment Policy.

Another of these measures stipulates that the citizens of these states continue to enjoy, until further notice, the right of movement, residence and establishment without visas, in accordance with the regional organization’s protocols on the subject.

These authorities are also asked to support ECOWAS officials who are citizens of the three States, in their missions on behalf of the Community.

According to Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, these various measures remain in force until the adoption, by the Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, of the complete modalities of future relations between the regional Organization and these three States.

The presentation by the President of the Cédéao Commission was followed by questions from journalists, to which he provided clarifications.

The media men’s concerns focused in particular on the fate of officials from Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger at ECOWAS, future collaboration between ECOWAS and the three States, the return of one or other of these States to the ECOWAS fold, and the possible departure of one or more other Member States from the regional Organization.

They also deal with the free movement of people, goods and services within the Community at the end of the six-month transition period, the Community levy, and security issues in the West African region, in this case the fight against terrorism.

“We remain a community, a family. Despite the challenges and difficulties facing our Community, we will continue to work as a family,” said Dr Touray.

He urged the media to play their part in relaying information, by informing the public objectively, in order to avoid misinformation that damages the image and reputation of ECOWAS.

The Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mme Damtien Larbli Tchintchibidja, the Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mme Massandjé Touré-Litsé, and the Commissioner for Internal Services, Prof. Nazifi Abdullahi Darma also where in attendance oft the Conference.