ECOWAS Approves Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger’s Exit from the Bloc
ECOWAS Accepts Withdrawal of Three Member Countries
During the 66th ECOWAS Heads of State and Government Summit held at Aso Rock Palace in Abuja, Nigeria, leaders of the member countries officially approved the decision of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to leave the union.
In a statement read by ECOWAS Commission President Omar Alieu Touray, it was announced that ECOWAS respected the choice of the three countries to withdraw from the community. According to Article 91 of the revised ECOWAS agreement, the official end date of their membership will be January 29, 2025.
The transition period between January 29, 2025, and July 29, 2025 was determined by the Community, during which ECOWAS has decided to keep its doors open for Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Touray mentioned that if the three countries decide to rejoin the community within the transition period, they will be readmitted.
Neighboring Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger had previously established the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in September 2023. Their joint decision to withdraw from ECOWAS was announced in a statement released on January 28.
ECOWAS expressed concerns about the risk of disintegration following the withdrawal of the three members and appointed Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye as a mediator in the situation.
As the Community prepares for the departure of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, the future of ECOWAS and its relationship with the departing countries remains uncertain.
