West African bloc affirms withdrawal of member countries
Date
1/31/2025 11:32:07 PM
(MENAFN) Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have officially withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), following months of tense relations with the regional bloc. ECOWAS confirmed their departure in a statement on Wednesday, but emphasized that it would continue to grant membership benefits to citizens of the three countries, such as visa-free travel within the region. The bloc also instructed member states to recognize the national passports and identity cards bearing the ECOWAS logo of citizens from these nations.
The three Sahel countries had announced their decision to leave ECOWAS in January of the previous year, accusing the organization of infringing on their sovereignty and being influenced by foreign powers, particularly France. Their decision followed ECOWAS' threat to deploy a French-backed military force to restore order in Niger after the overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023. Additionally, these countries have severed defense ties with France, citing the failure of French military forces to curb jihadist violence in the region despite years of engagement.
In response to their withdrawal, ECOWAS had attempted to persuade the three nations to reconsider, warning that their exit could disrupt free trade and movement within the region. However, the three countries, which have formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), have declared that their departure is final. Mali's interim leader, Assimi Goita, stated that their exit would not affect the ability of ECOWAS citizens to enter and reside in AES territories.
Malian businessman Oumar Soumano supported the withdrawal, claiming that ECOWAS had imposed unlawful sanctions on their countries, which contradicted the principles of its founding treaty from 1975.
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