ECOWAS: Mali, Burkina Faso Give Fresh Update on Planned Exit

• The duo of Mali and Burkina Faso restated and maintained their decision to exit the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
• This time, the duo issued an official letter declaring their decision to leave the sub-regional organisation
• They insisted their exit was due to the threats to their sovereignty and freedom as independent nations

Legit.ng journalist Segun Adeyemi has over 9 years of experience covering political events, civil societies, courts, and metro

The military governments in all three nations declared their intentions to exit the West African bloc, claiming that the organisation threatened their independence.

Mali’s foreign affairs ministry provided AFP with a copy of the letter sent to ECOWAS, and Burkina Faso’s official news agency confirmed the submission of an official notice.

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While there was no information from Niger, the statements from Mali and Burkina Faso underscored the shared nature of their decision.

ECOWAS, in response, stated in a previous announcement that it was anticipating “formal and direct notification” from the concerned countries.

Under the bloc’s statutes, withdrawal can’t take effect for at least a year after official notification.

Our sovereignty is threatened

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, original members of ECOWAS since 1975, now face sanctions from the regional organisation due to recent military coups that ousted democratically elected civilian governments.

On Sunday, all three nations, collectively known as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), released a joint statement asserting that ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) had succumbed to foreign influences, thereby deviating from its original principles and posing a threat to its member nations and citizens.

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Nigeria, a dominant force in the region, conveyed its disappointment in a statement issued late on Monday regarding the decision of the three countries to withdraw from the bloc it hosts.

As quoted by France 24, a statement from the foreign ministry reads:

"Nigeria stands with ECOWAS to emphasise due process and our shared commitment to protect and strengthen the rights and welfare of all citizens of member states.

"Instead, unelected leaders engage in a public posturing to deny their people the sovereign right to make fundamental choices over their freedom of movement, freedom to trade and freedom to choose their own leaders,"

Reacting to this development, foremost anti-terrorism expert Dr Abubakar Sani kicked against the actions of ECOWAS but restated that he was in no way supporting the military takeover in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.

In a chat with Legit.ng, he found the sanctions meted out by ECOWAS against these nations to be harsh and uncalled for.

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He said:

"I strongly believe that ECOWAS is not doing enough, and I put the blame on the current chairman. For Goodness sake, this body was started in Lagos in 1975 or so, and its objective is to promote integration and stability in the region.

"I don't know who gave ECOWAS power to threaten a fellow sovereign state because a democratic government was sacked. I am in no way supporting the junta in Niger because it is an aberration. Cutting off Niger's power supply and blocking off trade and so on were all wrong."

Tinubu breaks silence on Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger’s exit from ECOWAS, reveals strong position

Meanwhile, the military leaders of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso earlier declared their immediate withdrawal from ECOWAS, citing a perceived threat to member states.

In reaction, Tinubu’s government has expressed readiness to engage with the three countries in line with ECOWAS’s interests.

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However, the three nations have hardened their positions recently and joined forces in an “alliance of Sahel states.”

Source: Legit.ng