The West African regional bloc ECOWAS officially accepted the exit of three former members, Burkina Faso, Mali, and the Niger Republic, which took effect today, January 29, 2025, after a one-year notice period.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) directed its member countries to still recognize the national passports of the three exiting countries bearing the ECOWAS logo until further notice, “in the spirit of regional solidarity.”
In a statement, ECOWAS Authority also said its doors remain open for more engagements with the three countries.
The regional body requested its member states to equallly recognize identity cards bearing the ECOWAS logo held by the citizens of Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali, and the Republic of Niger, until further notice while continuing to treat goods and services coming from the three countries in accordance with the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) and investment policy.
It also requested that citizens of the three affected countries should be allowed to continue to enjoy the right of visa-free movement, residence and establishment in accordance with the ECOWAS protocols until further notice while also providing full support and cooperation to ECOWAS officials from the three countries in the course of their assignments for the Community.
According to the statement, it concluded, “These arrangements will be in place until the full determination of the modalities of our future engagement with the three countries by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
“The Commission has set up a structure to facilitate discussions on these modalities with each of the three countries. This message is necessary to avoid confusion and disruption in the lives and businesses of our people during this transition period.”
The three junta-led countries formally notified ECOWAS of their plan for an “immediate” withdrawal in January 2024, citing the organisation’s excessive dependence on France in particular.
Paris has become the common enemy of the three juntas, which now favour partnerships with countries such as Russia, Turkey, and Iran.
However, ECOWAS required one year’s notice for the departure to be effective— that deadline falls on Wednesday.
The three Sahelian countries have teamed up to form a separate confederation called the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
In Niger, thousands of people led by members of the military regime gathered around a square in the capital, Niamey, before heading towards the nearby national assembly.
