The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is now rocked by a major crisis as yesterday, three member-countries-Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, have announced their withdrawal from the body, this comes into effect after lengthy disagreement and rejection of military rule in West Africa by ECOWAS.
However, the 49-year old ECOWAS claimed that it was yet to get notification about the withdrawal announced by governments of the three countries.
The three Sahel nations said in a joint statement on state televisions that they had made a “sovereign decision” to leave ECOWAS “without delay”.
The juntas said they have “decided in complete sovereignty on the immediate withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the ECOWAS,” alleging that the bloc has “moved away from the ideals of its founding fathers and pan-Africanism” after nearly 50 years of its establishment.
The statement added: “Furthermore, ECOWAS, under the influence of foreign powers, betraying its founding principles, has become a threat to its member states and its populations whose happiness it is supposed to ensure.”
Struggling with jihadist violence and poverty, relations between the regimes and ECOWAS have been ruptured, following the coups took place in Niger last July, Burkina Faso in 2022 and Mali in 2020.
The three countries were suspended from ECOWAS, with Niger and Mali facing heavy sanctions.
They have hardened their positions in recent months and joined forces in an “Alliance of Sahel States”.
The French military withdrawal from the Sahel – the region along the Sahara desert across Africa – has heightened concerns over the conflicts spreading southward to Gulf of Guinea states – Ghana, Togo, Benin and Ivory Coast.
The prime minister appointed by Niger’s military regime, Ali Zeine, Thursday blasted ECOWAS for “bad faith” after the bloc largely shunned a planned meeting in Niamey.
Following the military coup that overthrew elected president Mohamed Bazoum, Niger had hoped for an opportunity to talk through differences with fellow states of ECOWAS. However heavy economic and financial sanctions, was imposed on Niamey.
ECOWAS, in a statement yesterday, said it was yet to get any official or direct notification from the three countries.
The statement reads: “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 exit of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has stirred reactions from international relations expects. They urged the regional body to employ persuasive diplomacy to bring them back and resolve the crisis.
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