
In a meeting held on Thursday, the West African regional bloc ECOWAS asserted that Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, currently under military rule, have failed to adhere to the prescribed procedures for leaving the bloc.
The announcement came as regional ministers convened to address the potential repercussions of these departures, which pose a significant challenge to decades of integration efforts.
The self-appointed military leaders of the three nations jointly declared on January 28 their decision to withdraw from the political and economic bloc.
This move followed pressure from ECOWAS to restore constitutional order after a series of coups in the region.
The departure of these countries threatens to undermine further ECOWAS, which has been grappling with the erosion of democracy in West Africa since the military takeover in Mali in 2020.
The mediation and security council of ECOWAS convened in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, to address both the withdrawal of the three countries and an electoral crisis unfolding in Senegal.
In Senegal, a 10-month delay in the presidential vote has triggered public outcry and raised concerns about potential unrest.
In his opening remarks, ECOWAS Commission president Omar Touray expressed concern, stating that “the hasty decision of withdrawal of membership of ECOWAS did not take into account the conditions for withdrawal.”
Touray emphasized that the three member states had not adequately considered the implications of their decision on their citizens. Although he did not specify the ignored conditions, he highlighted the importance of reflection on such matters.
ECOWAS requires member states intending to withdraw to provide a written one-year notice.
However, soon after their initial announcement, the three countries declared their intention to leave “without delay,” asserting that they did not feel bound by treaty terms.
They argued that ECOWAS had violated its own texts by imposing excessively punitive sanctions, including border closures, in response to the coups.
Touray mentioned that the bloc had prepared two memoranda on the departure of the three countries, addressing the implications for member states and the wider community.
Additionally, a document was prepared regarding Senegal, where the recent postponement of the February 25 election to December was deemed a threat to regional peace and stability.