Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have agreed to a six-month grace period after announcing their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The decision comes as a last-ditch effort to convince the three countries to remain in the bloc. The new effective departure date is now July 29, with January 29 still considered the official withdrawal date.
The move aims to allow ECOWAS to persuade the countries to change their minds and reconsider their decision to leave. The three nations have formed their own group called the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which has been a point of contention for the bloc.
However, in a positive development, the three countries have agreed to maintain visa-free travel for all ECOWAS citizens after their withdrawal. This move has alleviated concerns about the impact on free trade and movement in the region.
ECOWAS is hoping that the six-month transition period will provide an opportunity to engage with the countries in a more meaningful way. Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who leads negotiations with the three countries, said he was making progress in talks and emphasized the importance of maintaining relations despite ongoing security concerns in the region.
The withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS marks a significant development in the tumultuous period for the Sahel region. The region has experienced a series of coups since 2020, leading to military authorities taking power and fostering closer ties with Russia at the expense of traditional allies like France.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/15/burkina-faso-mali-and-niger-agree-to-grace-period-in-ecowas-withdrawal