On Sunday, January 28, 2024, the West African nations of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger announced their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The authorities of these countries announced the decision, accusing the union of violating its principles and thus posing a threat to member states.
It should be noted that these countries are led by military leaders after experiencing coups d’état in recent years: Niger in July 2023, Burkina Faso in 2022, and Mali in 2020.
However, in a statement yesterday, the organization said it was ready for talks to find a solution following the countries’ action.
But it said it had not yet received any official notification of the withdrawal of the three countries.
Reasons for the withdrawal
The three countries have been at odds with ECOWAS over the sanctions imposed on them following the coups.
Mali and Burkina Faso were suspended from ECOWAS and hit with economic sanctions in January 2022 after the military juntas in those countries failed to meet deadlines to return to civilian rule.
Niger was also suspended in September 2023 after the military staged a coup in the country.
The sanctions have had a significant impact on the economies of the three countries, particularly Mali and Burkina Faso.
Impact of the withdrawal
The withdrawal of the three countries is a major blow to ECOWAS, which has been struggling to contain the spread of jihadism and other security challenges in the region.
The withdrawal also raises questions about the future of ECOWAS and its ability to promote democracy and stability in West Africa.
Possible solutions
The situation is still developing, and it is unclear what the next steps will be.
However, it is important for all parties involved to engage in dialogue and find a solution that addresses the concerns of all stakeholders.
The future of West Africa depends on the ability of its countries to work together to address the challenges facing the region.
