OFFICIAL: Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso Withdraw From ECOWAS

OFFICIAL: Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso Withdraw From ECOWAS

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) officially acknowledged the departure of three of its former members: Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, on Wednesday.

This exit became effective on January 29, 2025, following the completion of a one-year notice period.

In a gesture of regional solidarity, ECOWAS urged its member countries to continue recognizing the national passports of the three nations that display the ECOWAS logo until further notice.

According to a statement from ECOWAS Authority, the organization remains open to further engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

It requested its member states to recognize national passports and identity cards bearing the ECOWAS logo for citizens of the departing countries until further updates.

Moreover, the West African bloc encouraged its members to handle goods and services from the departing countries in line with the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) and investment policies.

In addition, member states were asked to maintain the rights of visa-free movement, residence, and establishment for citizens of the three countries as per ECOWAS protocols until further notice.

They were also urged to provide complete support and cooperation to ECOWAS officials from these nations in their duties for the community.

“These arrangements will be in place until the full determination of the modalities of our future engagement with the three countries by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.

“The Commission has set up a structure to facilitate discussions on these modalities with each of the three countries. This message is necessary to avoid confusion and disruption in the lives and businesses of our people during this transition period,” the statement concluded.

Report indicates that there were significant demonstrations in Niger and Burkina Faso on Tuesday, with many citizens expressing support for their countries’ withdrawal from ECOWAS, which was officially set to take effect on Wednesday.