Leaders of West Africa sub regional body, the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS bhad confirmed the official exit of three countries Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic from the body
Recall that three countries, which are currently under military rule has pulled out of the dub regional group following the condemnation of the military take could that sacked civilian elected Democratic government in their countries
Despite all moved by other member.vou tried the military regime of the three countries maintained their stand to pull out if ECOWAS, even as they were said to have formed a separate union
ECOWAS leader said Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic will stop being members of the group from 2025.
President of ECOWAS commission, Alieu Touray, made the announcement on Sunday during the 66th ordinary session of heads of states and governments in Abuj
Touray said ECOWAS has now set the countries’ exit at January 29, 2025 – July 29, 2025.
The ECOWAS president however said the timeframe would allow for last mediations and any diplomatic interventions.
The development comes after the military-led governments of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso announced their decision to withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, describing the move as “irreversible.”
The three countries, in a joint statement, accused ECOWAS of serving the interests of France, their former colonial power and pledged to chart a new path for their citizens.
The announcement precedes a key ECOWAS summit scheduled for Sunday, where regional leaders had hoped to negotiate a resolution to retain the three nations within the bloc.
The West African leaders from the regional group ECOWAS met on Sunday for a summit with security and the departure from the bloc of three military-led governments high on the agenda.
Before the Economic Community of West Africa States meeting, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger reaffirmed as “irreversible” their decision to quit the bloc, which they condemned as subservient to ex-colonial ruler France.
The departure of the three could have a major impact on free trade and movement as well as on security cooperation in a region where jihadist groups are gaining ground across the Sahel.
The the summit which held in the Nigerian capital Abuja, had in attendance president of Senegal Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who was appointed as a mediator with the breakaway states by the 15-member ECOWAS in July
The three states have also formed their own confederation, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), after severing ties with France and pivoting towards Russia
“The ministers reiterate the irreversible decision to withdraw from ECOWAS and are committed to pursuing a process of reflection on the means of exiting in the best interests of their peoples,” they said in a joint statement.