The West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, on Wednesday officially recognized the termination of Burkinabe, Mali, and Niger Republic, three of its former members, effective January 29, 2025, at the end of a one-year notice period.
However, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) requested that its member nations hold a meeting with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to confirm that their national passports, which each had three exiting nations, would still be recognized as such in “the spirit of regional solidarity.”
The ECOWAS Authority also stated in a statement that its offices were open for additional interactions with the three nations and that it still requests that its member states:
“a) Recognize national ID cards and passports with the logo of ECOWAS.
Burkinabe, Mali, and the Republic of Mali are the members of the group holdings.
of Niger, until further notice.
“b) continue to treat goods and services coming from the three nations.
in accordance with the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) and in accordance with
investment policy.
“c) permit the three affected countries’ citizens to continue to have access to their constitutional rights.
visa-free movement, residence and establishment in accordance with the
ECOWAS protocols until further notice.
“d) give ECOWAS officials from the three countries full support and assistance.
countries in the course of their Community assignments.
The ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government will continue to implement these arrangements until they are completely determined as to how our future interactions with the three nations will be handled.
“With each of the three countries, the Commission has established a structure to facilitate discussions on these options.” In this transitional period, the statement stated that “this message is necessary to prevent confusion and disruption in the lives and businesses of our citizens.”
Their exit from the bloc, along with Mali, has splintered the region, leaving the ECOWAS grouping with uncertain prospects.
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.
The three juntas now favor partnerships with nations like Russia, Turkey, and Iran, which has Paris as their common enemy.
However, ECOWAS required one year’s notice for the departure to be effective — that deadline falls on Wednesday.
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a separate confederation that the three Sahelian nations have formed, has joined forces.
Source: Channels TV
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