…….Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger Announce Withdrawal from ECOWAS

By David Torough, Abuja

Three West African nations of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger on Sunday announced their immediate withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The countries which have been under military juntas accused the regional economic bloc of “inhumane” sanctions following their putsches.

The declaration was made in Ouagadougou, Bamako and Niamey.

In a joint statement read on television, the juntas said the bloc has “moved away from the ideals of its founding fathers and pan-Africanism”.

 They said, “After 49 years of existence, the valiant people of Burkina, Mali and Niger note with much regret, bitterness and great disappointment that their Organization has moved away from the ideals of its founding fathers and Pan-Africanism.

“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.

“Indeed, the organization has not provided assistance to our states in the context of our existential fight against terrorism and insecurity; worse, when these states decided to take their destiny into their own hands, it adopted an irrational and unacceptable posture by imposing illegal, illegitimate, inhumane and irresponsible sanctions in violation of its own texts; all things which have further weakened populations already bruised by years.”

ECOWAS responded saying it had not received any formal withdrawal notification.

The bloc stated on Sunday in Abuja that its attention had been drawn to a broadcast on the national television stations of Mali and Niger announcing the decision of the three countries to withdraw from the union.

“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 for the restoration of constitutional order in those countries.

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“Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali remain important members of the community and the authority remains committed to finding a negotiated solution to their political impasses.

“The ECOWAS Commission remains seized with the development and shall make further pronouncements as the situation evolves,” it stated.

In Sept. 2023, the three countries signed a mutual defence pact to assist one another against armed rebellion or external aggression.

The charter – Alliance of Sahel States – binds the countries to assist one another – including militarily should there be an attack against one of them.

Mali’s military leader Assimi Goita said on his X social media account, “I have today signed with the Heads of State of Burkina Faso and Niger the Liptako-Gourma charter establishing the Alliance of Sahel States, with the aim of establishing a collective defence and mutual assistance framework.”

Following a military coup in Niger in July, ECOWAS under the leadership of Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu imposed sanctions on the country and threatened military action.

ECOWAS is a sub-regional political and economic union of 15 West African countries.

…….Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger Announce Withdrawal from ECOWAS