Three West African nations - Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso - have officially withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a regional bloc. This decision, which has been in the works for a year, was finalized recently, marking a significant development in the region.
ECOWAS, in a statement, confirmed the withdrawal but also expressed its intention to maintain open communication with the departing countries. The bloc has urged member nations to continue granting the trio their ECOWAS membership privileges, including free movement within the region using an ECOWAS passport.
Despite the split, ECOWAS President Omar Alieu Touray emphasized the importance of continued collaboration with the three nations to address pressing regional challenges, particularly the escalating extremist violence in the area.
Established in 1975, ECOWAS was created to promote economic integration among its 15 member states. Over the years, the bloc has played a crucial role in addressing political, economic, and security issues in West Africa.
However, recent events have highlighted a growing disillusionment among citizens towards ECOWAS, with some perceiving the organization as prioritizing the interests of leaders over those of the general population.
Following their withdrawal, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso formed the Alliance of Sahel States, a security partnership, and sought military support from Russia after severing ties with traditional Western allies.
This departure marks the first instance of member nations leaving ECOWAS in its history, posing a significant challenge to the bloc's efforts to promote democracy and stability in the region.
ECOWAS has emphasized that goods and services from the departing countries should be treated in accordance with its regulations, and member states are expected to provide full support to ECOWAS officials from these nations during their assignments.
