The military juntas of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have decided to end their membership in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) by January 2025. This decision was officially announced by the ECOWAS Commission on Sunday after the conclusion of the 66th Ordinary Session in Abuja, where heads of state and government gathered to discuss regional matters.
While ECOWAS may have pretended to be all calm and collected in their response, it’s clear that the regional bloc is reluctantly respecting the move of the three Sahel countries. In a statement read by the ECOWAS Commission President, Omar Touray, the organization acknowledged the sovereignty of each nation involved and accepted their decision to exit. However, they weren’t about to let this slide without some kind of “we tried” effort. ECOWAS announced a six-month transition period, which will run from January 29 to July 29, 2025. During this period, ongoing talks will continue between the military-led governments and ECOWAS, led by the Presidents of Senegal and Togo.
If the three countries change their minds and decide to return to the fold, ECOWAS will graciously extend an invitation for their readmission. That’s right, in case the military leaders in these countries suddenly have a change of heart and realize they miss the perks of ECOWAS membership, the door will be wide open.
This move aligns with Article 91 of the revised ECOWAS treaties, which states that every member country has the right to make its own decisions. Essentially, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger will no longer be part of the ECOWAS community starting January 29, 2025, and that’s that.
