The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially recognized the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the bloc, effective January 29, 2025, following the expiration of their one-year notice period.
In a statement released on Wednesday, ECOWAS emphasized its commitment to regional solidarity by urging member states to continue recognizing the national passports of the three countries that bear the ECOWAS logo until further notice.
The ECOWAS Authority also reiterated its openness to future engagements with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger and made specific requests to its member states to maintain cooperation and dialogue with the departing nations.
“a) recognize National passports and identity cards bearing ECOWAS logo
held by the citizens of Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali and the Republic
of Niger, until further notice.
“b) continue to treat goods and services coming from the three countries in
accordance with the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) and
investment policy.
“c) allow citizens of the three affected countries to continue to enjoy the right of
visa-free movement, residence and establishment in accordance with the
ECOWAS protocols until further notice.
“d) provide full support and cooperation to ECOWAS officials from the three
countries in the course of their assignments for the Community.”
“These arrangements will be in place until the full determination of the modalities of our future engagement with the three countries by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
“The Commission has set up a structure to facilitate discussions on these modalities with each of the three countries. This message is necessary to avoid confusion and disruption in the lives and businesses of our people during this transition period,” the statement concluded.
Their departure from the bloc, alongside Mali, has fractured the region and is leaving the ECOWAS grouping with an uncertain future.
The three junta-led countries formally notified ECOWAS of their plan for an “immediate” withdrawal in January 2024, citing the organisation’s excessive dependence on France in particular.
Paris has become the common enemy of the three juntas, which now favour partnerships with countries such as Russia, Turkey and Iran.
However, ECOWAS required one year’s notice for the departure to be effective — that deadline falls on Wednesday.
The three Sahelian countries have teamed up to form a separate confederation called the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
In Niger, thousands of people led by members of the military regime gathered around a square in the capital Niamey, before heading towards the nearby national assembly.