By Abidemi Samuel
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In a significant development, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced that Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic will cease to be members of the regional bloc from 2025. This decision was made public by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Alieu Touray, during the 66th ordinary session of heads of states and governments in Abuja.
According to Touray, the exit of these three countries will take place between January 29, 2025, and July 29, 2025. This timeframe is intended to allow for last-minute mediations and diplomatic interventions. The announcement marks a significant shift in the regional dynamics of West Africa.
It’s worth noting that this development is not entirely unexpected. In January 2024, the three military juntas of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger announced their intention to leave ECOWAS, citing the regional body’s alleged bias towards foreign powers and its failure to support their fight against terrorism and insecurity.
The exit of these countries from ECOWAS is likely to have significant implications for regional cooperation, trade, and security. ECOWAS has been instrumental in promoting economic integration and cooperation among its member states, and the departure of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger may create new challenges for the regional bloc.
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