ECOWAS approves exit of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso from regional bloc

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has formally approved the withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from the regional body.

The approval came a few days after President Bola Tinubu promised German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier that ECOWAS would handle the three countries’ return to the group with wisdom.

The decision, taken by the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, marked a significant shift in the West African geo-political landscape.

The approval of the countries’ exit was made public yesterday by ECOWAS Commission President, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, at the end of the 66th Ordinary Summit of the Authority of Heads of State and Government, and ECOWAS Commission.

Touray said the three countries will formally cease to be members of ECOWAS on January 29, 2025, in accordance with Article 91 of the revised ECOWAS treaty.

Following their notifications to withdraw, the regional bloc outlined a transitional period from January 29 to July 29, 2025, keeping its doors open for the countries to reconsider their decision.

Acknowledging the diplomatic efforts led by Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye; Togolese President, Faure Gnassingbé; and ECOWAS chairman, Bola Tinubu, the bloc emphasised its commitment to fostering dialogue.

Touray said the Authority had extended the mandates of Gnassingbé and Faye to continue mediation efforts throughout the transition period.

He said ECOWAS, during the transitional phase, would focus on preparing for the separation.

ECOWAS also tasked its Commission President with initiating withdrawal formalities after January 29, 2025, and developing a contingency plan to address political and economic relations with the departing nations.

Additionally, the ECOWAS Council of Ministers would convene an extraordinary session in mid-2025 to finalise separation modalities and the contingency plan.

Touray stated, “The part of the communique I’ll be reading relates to the decision of the Republic of Mali, the Republic of Niger and Burkina Faso, to withdraw from ECOWAS.

“After deliberations, their excellencies, members of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, commend the exemplary diplomatic engagement of His Excellency, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of the Republic of Senegal, and His Excellency Faure Gnassingbé, President of the Togolese Republic, and the diplomatic efforts of the Chairman of Authority, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and other individual member states towards these three countries.

“The authority takes note of the notification by Burkina Faso, Republic of Mali and the Republic of Niger of their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS.

“The Authority acknowledges that in accordance with the provisions of Article 91 of the revised ECOWAS treaty, the three countries will officially cease to be members of ECOWAS from 29 January, 2025.

“The Authority decides to set the period from 29 January, 2025, to 29 July 2025, as a transitional period and to keep ECOWAS doors open to the three countries during the transition period.

“In this regard, the Authority extends the mandate of President Gnassingbé of Togo and President Faye of Senegal to continue their mediation role up to the end of the transition period to bring the three member countries back to ECOWAS.

“Without prejudice for the spirit of the opening, the Authority directs the President of the Commission to launch withdrawal formalities after the deadline of 29th January, 2025, and to draw up a contingency plan covering various areas.

“The Authority directs the Council of Ministers to convene an extraordinary session during the second quarter of 2025 to consider and adopt both separation modalities and the contingency plan covering political and economic relations between ECOWAS and the Republic of Niger, the Republic of Mali and Burkina Faso.”

In January, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger announced their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS.

They accused the regional bloc of deviating from its foundational ideals and succumbing to external influences, particularly criticising the imposition of sanctions aimed at reversing their respective coups.

The decision followed a series of military takeovers – Mali in 2020 and 2021, Burkina Faso in 2022, and Niger in 2023 – each leading to suspensions from ECOWAS and strained relations with the organisation.

Meanwhile, Tinubu called on West African leaders to draw inspiration from Ghana’s recent peaceful elections, which he described as a model of democratic maturity and commitment to national unity.

Speaking at the opening of the 66th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS in Abuja, Tinubu lauded President Nana Akufo-Addo and the people of Ghana for the resounding success of their recent presidential and parliamentary elections, which set a high standard for the region.

He said, “I urge all of us in the region to learn from this good democratic practice and prioritise our countries’ national unity to ensure political stability of the region so that this manner of peaceful transition becomes the culture of democracy, not only in West Africa, but also in the entire Africa continent.

“Despite the challenges of interrupted democratic governance in some West African countries, the region has continued to record democratic gains.

“Just a week ago, on December 7, 2024, presidential and parliamentary elections took place in Ghana, the second-largest democracy in our region.

“One of the leading candidates, who happens to be the incumbent vice president, His Excellency Mahamudu Bawumia, together with the leadership of the ruling party, New Patriotic Party (NPP), conceded defeat and accepted the outcome of the presidential election by congratulating the president-elect, His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama of National Democratic Congress (NDC), for his victory, even before the official announcement of the election results.

“This gesture, as it happened in Nigeria in 2015, demonstrates political maturity and respect for the will of the people of Ghana.”

Tinubu praised Akufo-Addo for his exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to ECOWAS during his two-year term, describing him as a formidable Pan-Africanist.

Tinubu also congratulated the government and people of Senegal on their successful parliamentary elections.

The president praised Ghana’s foreign minister, Shirley Ayokor Botchwey, for painstakingly leading the ECOWAS Ministerial Committee, and wished her a successful tenure in her new role as Secretary General of the Commonwealth.

In his second term as ECOWAS Chair, Tinubu highlighted achievements from his first term, including strides in regional integration, economic growth, conflict resolution, and counterterrorism efforts.

He said the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and Common External Tariff (CET) had strengthened trade and economic cooperation.

According to him, “Similarly, regional infrastructure projects such as the West African Gas Pipeline, the West Africa Power Pool, and modernising key border posts with advanced equipment and joint border operations utilising state-of-the-art technology have significantly enhanced connectivity and promoted greater regional integration.”

Tinubu added, “Furthermore, our efforts in stabilising our region through peacekeeping missions currently in the Gambia and Guinea Bissau, as well as previous operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone, have demonstrated our capacity to act decisively in the face of adversity.”

He said the ECOWAS Regional Action Plan on the fight against terrorism had provided a comprehensive framework to combat violent extremism and enhance regional security.

As ECOWAS nears its 50th anniversary in 2025, Tinubu urged member-states to recommit to the bloc’s founding ideals of economic integration, peace, and prosperity.

He stated, “As a regional community, we must maintain our fundamental responsibility to protect our citizens and create an enabling environment where they can prosper.

“As leaders, we know that security is not a luxury but a necessity. Equally, enhancing the living standards of our people is not an aspiration but an obligation.”

The presidents of Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, and Senegal attended in person, alongside Vice President of Sierra Leone, the finance minister of Benin Republic, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Togo, and Ambassador of Cape Verde to Nigeria.

Earlier, in his address, Touray commended Nigeria for paying 100 per cent of its community levy for 2023 and substantial remittances for 2024, reflecting Nigeria’s leadership and commitment under Tinubu.

Touray stated, “For the first time in 19 years, Nigeria has paid 100 per cent of its community levy from 2023. I’m, therefore, pleased to announce that on Friday, December 13, 2024, Nigeria paid N85 billion and $54 million, representing 100 per cent of the 2023 levy and the 2024 levy up to July 2024.

“We all agree that this payment underscores the leadership and commitment of President Tinubu, the government and the people of Nigeria to our community. At a more personal level, it represents confidence in the management I have been privileged to lead since 2022.”

He encouraged other member states to fulfill their financial commitments.

Source: THISDAY (slight editing)