By Capital Watch Media
Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have officially withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, ending their membership in the regional bloc.
ECOWAS confirmed their exit in a statement released on Wednesday, 29th January 2025.
“The withdrawal of Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali, and the Republic of Niger from ECOWAS has become effective today,” the commission stated.
The three military-led nations initially announced their decision to leave ECOWAS in early 2024, citing disagreements with the bloc over security policies and economic sanctions.
Tensions between the countries and ECOWAS had been building following a series of military coups that brought juntas to power in each nation.
The governments accused ECOWAS of failing to support their fight against terrorism and imposing economic measures that they claimed hurt their populations.
Despite efforts by ECOWAS to persuade them to reconsider, the juntas rejected calls to remain in the bloc.
In December 2024, they agreed to a six-month transition period following their withdrawal announcement.
ECOWAS had initially imposed sanctions on the three countries after their coups but later lifted them in an attempt to maintain diplomatic relations and prevent their exit.
In its latest statement, ECOWAS reiterated its openness to welcoming the nations back if they choose to return in the future.
“The door remains open for dialogue and reintegration,” the commission stated.
The withdrawal marks a significant shift in West Africa’s political landscape, raising questions about the future of regional cooperation and security efforts in the Sahel.
Analysts have expressed concerns that the departure of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso could weaken ECOWAS’ ability to address shared security challenges, including the ongoing fight against insurgency in the region.
With their exit now formalised, the three nations are expected to deepen their cooperation within the Alliance of Sahel States, AES, a separate bloc they established in 2023 as an alternative to ECOWAS.
