After more than a year of tensions, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have officially withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The regional bloc confirmed the departure in a statement on Wednesday, marking a major shift in West African geopolitics.
The decision to leave ECOWAS is the culmination of months of friction between the three military-led nations and the regional bloc.
Relations began to deteriorate following a series of military coups that overthrew democratic governments in each country.
ECOWAS responded with sanctions, aiming to pressure the juntas into restoring civilian rule. However, the three nations viewed these actions as punitive and counterproductive.
In January 2024, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso jointly announced their intention to leave ECOWAS, accusing the bloc of failing to support them in their fight against terrorism and aligning too closely with Western interests.
- Delta Airlines Offers $30,000 Compensation to Passengers After Toronto Plane Crash
- FG Bans 60,000 Litres Petroleum Tankers to Curb Accidents & Explosions on Nigerian Roads
- 94-Year-Old Man Registers for 2025 UTME, Fulfills Lifelong Dream
- 23-year-old Ekiti Man Arrested for Allegedly Attempting to Use Nephew for Money Ritual
- Australian Woman Annie Knight, who Set a Goal to Sleep with 1000 Men in 2025, Says She’s Ready for Love
- Late Herbert Wigwe’s 90-year-old Father Takes his Grand-daughter to Appeal Court over her Father’s Estate
They argued that the sanctions imposed had worsened economic hardship for their populations rather than promoting stability.
Despite their withdrawal, ECOWAS has emphasized that it remains open to future cooperation.
The bloc announced that citizens from these nations will still enjoy visa-free travel within ECOWAS member states and that trade relations will continue under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) for now.
National passports and identity cards bearing the ECOWAS logo will also remain valid until further notice.
The bloc has set up a structure to facilitate discussions on future relations with the three countries, ensuring minimal disruption to businesses and citizens.
ECOWAS President Omar Touray stated that the decision to allow continued economic and mobility ties was made in the spirit of “regional solidarity and in the interest of the people”.
With their exit from ECOWAS, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have turned toward greater regional integration through the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—a new defense pact aimed at strengthening military and economic cooperation.
The trio has also deepened ties with international partners such as Russia, Turkey, and Iran to address security threats posed by jihadist insurgencies and armed militias.
Niger’s military ruler, Abdourahmane Tchiani, defended the move, describing ECOWAS as a bloc that no longer represents the interests of African nations.
“We will create an AES of the peoples instead of an ECOWAS whose directives are dictated by foreign powers,” he said.
While ECOWAS initially gave the three nations a six-month window to reconsider their departure, their withdrawal now appears irreversible. Massive public support for the exit has been evident, with rallies in Niger and Burkina Faso celebrating the decision.
