Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger are moving ahead with plans to leave the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) by January 29, 2025. At a Sunday summit in Abuja, ECOWAS leaders extended a six-month grace period, hoping to convince the countries to change their minds before July 29.
Omar Touray, ECOWAS Commission President, said, “The authority takes note of the notification by Burkina Faso, Republic of Mali, and the Republic of Niger of their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS.” He added, “The authority decides to set the period from 29 January 2025 to 29 July 2025 as a transitional period.”
The three countries say their decision is final and have already formed their own group, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). They promised to keep their borders open to ECOWAS citizens even after leaving, easing fears about restrictions on travel and trade.
Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who has been mediating, believes there is still room for dialogue. He said he was “making progress” in talks with the three countries, stressing the need for cooperation as the region battles growing threats from extremist groups.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
