By Kebba AF Touray
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has approved an exit timeline for the three West African nations of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. The approval which was unanimously agreed by the heads of state and governments on Sunday, 15 December 2024 came after a yearlong process of mediation, to avert the unprecedented disintegration of the regional group.
Becoming the first of its kind in the fifteen-nation bloc’s nearly fifty years of existence, the military juntas of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso announced in January that they were leaving ECOWAS, after accusing the bloc of “inhumane and irresponsible” coup-related sanctions and for failing to help them solve their internal security crises.
The ECOWAS authority took a decision to set the transition period from 29 January 2024 to 29th July 2025 as a period to keep their doors open to the three countries for negotiations.
ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, said in his closing remarks on Sunday at the summit of regional heads of states and governments in the Nigerian capital Abuja, that the three coup-hit countries have largely rebuffed ECOWAS’ efforts to reverse their withdrawal, and have started to consider how to issue travel documents separately from ECOWAS and are forming their own alliance. The one-year notice for their departure is expected to be completed in January. Dr. Touray commended the efforts of the bloc’s envoys sent to resolve the crisis and said “these efforts underscored our collective commitment to preserve peace and unity in our region.”
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and current chairperson of ECOWAS said the challenges faced around the world and within the region, is a test to their ability to work together.
“We must not lose sight of our fundamental responsibility which is to protect our citizens and create an enabling environment where they can prosper. One major benefit of being a member of ECOWAS is the visa-free movement of the citizenry between member states, and it is not clear how that could change after the three countries leave the bloc,’’ Dr. Touray said.
On such an anticipated implication in July, the ECOWAS commission president said the three states risk losing the concession they have on free trade and the free movement of their people within the sub-region.
