During the 66th ECOWAS summit held in Abuja, Nigeria, on Sunday, December 15, 2024, regional leaders acknowledged the withdrawal notice submitted earlier this year by the three military-led nations.
While the official termination date is set for January 29, 2025, a six-month grace period was granted, making July 29, 2025, the final date for their exit.
ECOWAS leaders had hoped to find common ground during ongoing negotiations. Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, tasked with spearheading talks alongside Togo's President Faure Gnassingbé, expressed cautious optimism but stopped short of guaranteeing success.
'The discussions remain open, and we will continue to engage in good faith until the final deadline,' President Faye stated.
The withdrawal comes amidst rising tensions between ECOWAS and the three countries, all of which are under military rule following coups that overthrew democratically elected governments.
In January, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger jointly announced their intention to leave, arguing that ECOWAS no longer reflects the founding ideals of regional cooperation.
While formal ties will be severed, the departing nations reassured that their exit does not signify complete isolation. They affirmed commitments to free movement of people and goods, maintaining trade and travel flows with neighboring states.
However, analysts warn that the departure could deal a blow to regional integration efforts, saying that the formation of the three nations' alternative coalition, the Alliance of Sahel States, signals a desire for autonomy rather than hostility toward regional neighbors.
The situation has drawn comparisons to Mauritania's exit from ECOWAS in 1999. Although it rejoined as an associate member in 2017, Mauritania's withdrawal underscored how unresolved disputes can fracture regional alliances.
The pending exit of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger raises significant questions about ECOWAS' influence and its future role in fostering regional stability. For now, the six-month extension offers a final opportunity for reconciliation before the bloc bids farewell to three of its key members.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/mali-burkina-faso-and-niger-confirm-ecowas-exit-by-july-2025
