NIGER, MALI, BURKINA FASO OFFICIALLY EXIT ECOWAS
Read Time:1 Minute, 39 Second
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) officially acknowledged the departure of three of its former members—Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic—on Wednesday.
Their exit took effect on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, following the completion of a one-year notice period.
Despite this, in the spirit of regional unity, ECOWAS has urged its member states to continue recognizing the national passports of the three countries, which bear the ECOWAS logo, until further notice.
A statement from the ECOWAS Authority emphasized that its doors remain open for further engagement with the three countries and called on its members to continue recognizing national passports and identity cards bearing the ECOWAS logo held by citizens from these nations.
The West African bloc also encouraged its members to treat goods and services from the three countries in line with the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) and investment policies.
Additionally, ECOWAS asked its member states to maintain the right of visa-free movement, residence, and establishment for citizens of the three countries, as outlined in the ECOWAS protocols, until further notice. Member states were also urged to provide full support and cooperation to ECOWAS officials from the departing countries in the course of their work for the Community.
“These arrangements will be in place until the full determination of the modalities of our future engagement with the three countries by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
READ ALSO:
“The Commission has set up a structure to facilitate discussions on these modalities with each of the three countries. This message is necessary to avoid confusion and disruption in the lives and businesses of our people during this transition period,” the statement concluded.
Scores of people in Niger and Burkina Faso rallied on Tuesday in support of their countries’ withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a move set to take effect on Wednesday.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0