The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced a six-month transition period for the withdrawal of three member states: Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso. The process will begin on January 29, 2025, with these countries officially leaving the regional bloc by July 29, 2025.
According to President Omar Touray, the ECOWAS Authority has taken note of the decision by the three countries to withdraw and will engage in withdrawal protocol during this period. The one-year statutory period since their initial withdrawal request will also be observed, providing time for the withdrawing states to settle financial and legal obligations to ECOWAS.
The ECOWAS Authority has set a transitional period from January 29, 2025, to July 29, 2025, to facilitate the withdrawal process. During this period, the ECOWAS doors will remain open to the three countries. The bloc has also extended the mandates of Senegalese President Bassirou Faye and Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé, who have led mediation efforts with the withdrawing states.
The ECOWAS Authority has instructed the President of the Commission to commence withdrawal procedures after January 29, 2025, and prepare a contingency plan addressing various sectors. A council of ministers will convene an extraordinary session in the second quarter of 2025 to deliberate on and adopt a withdrawal framework and contingency plan.
ECOWAS Chairman Bola Tinubu has commended the leaders and members for their discussions, emphasizing the need for unity and commitment to ECOWAS principles. He urged member states to work together to implement the outcomes of this summit, benefiting citizens, and to build a peaceful, secure, and prosperous West Africa.
This follows a series of military takeovers in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, leading to their suspension from ECOWAS and strained relations with the bloc. The withdrawing states have formed the Alliance of Sahel States and distanced themselves from traditional Western allies, prioritizing defence and mutual support.
Source: https://punchng.com/ecowas-to-approve-niger-mali-bfasos-withdrawal-jan-29