Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger ECOWAS Withdrawal Effective

The withdrawal of military-led Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger has become legally recognized by the West African Bloc Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The bloc led by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, in a communique said their withdrawal has become effective today, January 29, 2025, after serving notice for their withdrawal in January 2024.

“The withdrawal of Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali and the Republic of Niger from ECOWAS has become effective today, 29th January 2025,” it said in a statement.

That notwithstanding, the three countries will continue to enjoy some privileges related to the bloc in the interim including visa-free entry into all member states; using National passports and identity cards bearing ECOWAS logo and; treating goods and services from them in accordance with the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) and investment policy.

These privileges, it noted, will be in place until further notice.

“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 three countries announced their exit from ECOWAS a year ago citing sanctions imposed on them for truncating their democracies; ECOWAS failure in assisting their fight against terrorism and insecurity and; ECOWAS’ subjection to the influence of foreign powers.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini