Despite push by President Bola Tinubu-led Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to reconcile with the government of Mali, Burkina Faso ad Niger Republic to have the countries rejoin the West African sub-regional body, Mali’s Foreign Minister, Abdoulaye Diop, has reiterated the irreversible exit of his country, Burkina Faso and Niger from the bloc
President Tinubu had upon his re-election as chairman of the ECOWAS Heads of States at the weekend, appointed the president of Senegal and Togo to lead the reconciliation team that would interface with the three countries for a possible return to the sub-regional body which they exited last year following political misunderstandings
The military leaders of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso had already formed a confederation of their own on Saturday..
Diop however said Mali would remain open to cooperation with ECOWAS even as he gave hints of a possible introduction of visas for nationals of the three countries travelling within ECOWAS, according to AFP reports.
The three countries’ decision to leave the bloc was fuelled in part by their accusation that France was manipulating ECOWAS and not providing enough support for anti-jihadist efforts.
“Our heads of state were very clear in Niamey when they said the withdrawal of the three countries from ECOWAS is irrevocable and was done without delay, and from now on we must stop looking in the rear-view mirror”, Diop said on Monday.
Mali remains “open to working with our neighbours and other organisations with which we share this space”, he added.
“We will have to maintain discussions with others in order to move forward, but I believe that the path we have embarked upon is not reversible”, he said.
Diop said the creation of a confederation was only one stage of the process, adding that “the vision is to work towards a federation of the three states”.
ECOWAS has said the three countries must abide by a one-year exit timeframe, but the juntas say their withdrawal is effective “without delay”.
The departure has raised concerns over the consequences for the free movement of goods and people within the region.
If visas are re-introduced, “we will be proven right in the sense that some ECOWAS officials have not abandoned the old methods of frightening and blackmailing people”, said Diop.
In “an integration process, there are gains and losses for everyone, but we must work to minimise the impact on our populations”, he added.