The exit, which took place on Wednesday, marks a significant turning point for the region’s most influential political and trade bloc, coinciding with ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary this year.

The rupture follows a series of coups that have swept across the region, starting with Mali in 2020, followed by Burkina Faso in 2022, and Niger in July 2023. The ECOWAS bloc, which had initially threatened military intervention in Niger to reinstate its ousted president, imposed severe economic sanctions, which were later lifted.

These tensions escalated when the three countries, founding members of ECOWAS, announced their decision to withdraw in January 2024. However, ECOWAS rules required a one-year notice for the decision to take effect.

In response to their departure, the three countries have formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a new confederation aimed at strengthening political and economic ties within the region. This move has left ECOWAS grappling with its future direction and internal unity. Omar Alieu Touray, head of ECOWAS, emphasized the bloc’s commitment to keeping its doors open, stating that any state could rejoin the community at any time. “We look forward to those discussions,” he said at a press conference in Abuja.

Despite their exit, ECOWAS has assured that citizens of the three countries will continue to benefit from visa-free movement, residence, and establishment under existing protocols. Additionally, goods and services from the three countries will be treated in line with ECOWAS regulations until a new decision is reached.

The military leaders of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have voiced their dissatisfaction with ECOWAS, accusing the group of failing to address security concerns such as jihadist uprisings and being overly aligned with France, the former colonial power. In a shift away from their historical ties with France, the three nations have sought military support from Russia, Iran, and Turkey.

As ECOWAS navigates this unprecedented withdrawal, several member states, including Togo and Ghana, have already normalized relations with the three countries. Ghana’s new president, John Mahama, has appointed a special envoy to the Alliance of Sahel States, signaling ongoing regional realignments.

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The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS has approved the withdrawal of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso from the bloc from January 29, 2025.

It however gave the three countries up till July next year to reconsider their planned withdrawal from the regional bloc.

The communiqué read by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, said “the authority takes note of the notification by Bukina Faso, Republic of Mali and the Republic of Niger of their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS.

“The authority acknowledges that in accordance with the provisions of Article 91 of the revised ECOWAS treaty, the three countries will officially cease to be members of ECOWAS from 29 January, 2025.

“The authority decides to set the period from 29 January, 2025 to 29 July 2025 as a transitional period and to keep ECOWAS doors open to the three countries during the transition period.

“In this regard, the authority extends the mandate of President for Gnassingbé of a Togo, and President Faye of Senegal to continue their mediation rule up to the end of the transition period to bring the three member countries back to ECOWAS.

“Without prejudice, for the spirit of the opening, The Authority directs the President of the Commission to launch withdrawal formalities after the deadline of 29th January, 2025 and to draw up a contingency plan covering various areas.”

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Mali’s military-led authorities have ordered the removal of television channel France 2 from broadcasting packages for four months over a story on the security situation, according to official documents seen by AFP Thursday.

The move is the latest by the junta to shun former colonial power France after seizing power in a military coup.

Mali’s High Authority for Communication (HAC) criticised a report broadcast on France 2’s evening news in January for “glorifying terrorism” by contrasting “the firepower of armed terrorist groups” with that of the Malian army.

The communications authority accused France 2 of retroactively “justifying” the presence of the French anti-jihadist Barkhane force which operated in Mali until 2022.

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French troops withdrew amid deteriorating relations between Bamako and Paris following military coups in 2020 and 2021.

Mali’s junta has since chosen to pivot towards Russia, both politically and militarily.

Correspondents from several foreign media were forced to leave, go into exile or suspend work.

The military also seized power in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger in 2022 and 2023 respectively, with both introducing measures against the press.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said in a 2023 report that the Sahel region was in the process of becoming a “no-news zone”.

Source: Dailytrust

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