Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger yet to formally inform ECOWAS of exit

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has denied receiving any official notice from Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso over their reported exit from the sub-regional bloc.

Responding to the reported withdrawal of membership by the three affected countries, weekend, the ECOWAS Commission, in a statement, Monday in response to the development, insisted that Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger ’remain important members of the Community and the Authority remains committed to finding a negotiated solution to the political impasse.’

The ECOWAS Commission., further raised concerns and emphasised that it has not yet received any official notification from the three member states regarding their intention to leave.

“The attention of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Commission) has been drawn to a statement broadcast on the National Televisions of Mali and Niger announcing the decision of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to withdraw from ECOWAS.

“The ECOWAS Commission is yet to receive any direct formal notification from the three Member States about their intention to withdraw from the Community.

“The ECOWAS Commission, as directed by the Authority of Heads of State and Government, has been working assiduously with these countries for the restoration of constitutional order. Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali remain important members of the Community and the Authority remains committed to finding a negotiated solution to the political impasse.

“The ECOWAS Commission remains seized with the development and shall make further pronouncements as the situation evolves,” the statement by the ECOWAS Commission read, Monday.

In a surprise twist to the political impasse which had engulfed the sub-region and came to a head following the military take-over of government in Niger Republic which saw the ousting of the Mohammed Bazoum administration in July 2023.

The three countries are ruled by military leaders who overthrew democratic governments.

In 2021, Mali temporarily pulled out of ECOWAS after the country experienced two coups in less than a year.

ECOWAS imposed sanctions on Mali and suspended it as a member.

In January 2022, ECOWAS suspended Burkina Faso’s membership after a military coup led by Paul Henri Damiba, which saw the democratic government of former President Roch Kabore ousted by mutinying soldiers.

In December 2023, the bloc suspended the Niger Republic after soldiers led by Abdourahamane Tiani, a general and head of the presidential guard, overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum.

In a joint press statement, Sunday, the three countries announced exiting the sub-regional body, with immediate effect, claiming that ‘their economic interests are not guaranteed.’

“After 49 years, the valiant peoples of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger regretfully and with great disappointment observe that the (ECOWAS) organization has drifted from the ideals of its founding fathers and the spirit of Pan-Africanism,” Colonel Amadou Abdramane, Niger junta spokesperson, said in a statement.

Since toppling their various governments, and despite the sanctions, negotiations and threats of military intervention, the military leaders in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have failed to provide a clear time-table to return the countries to constitutional rule. Instead, they have hardened their stance against ECOWAS and accused it of being influenced by external powers.

The trio of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have also cut military and cooperation ties with former colonial master France and turned to Russia for security support.

Meanwhile, reacting to the  decision by the three Francophone countries to exit ECOWAS, former Nigeria’s Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, via his X handle, on Sunday, described the development as ‘concerning and a matter of serious diplomatic meltdown.’

“Reports about the withdrawal of three countries from our sub-regional body, @ecowas_cedeao, are concerning.

“It is a matter of serious diplomatic meltdown. We must keep the country’s national security interests, especially the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and others, in focus while we appraise the situation.”

Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu is the current Chairman of ECOWAS and has been under pressure to approve military action in returning the three countries back to civilian rule.