The Economic Community of West African States has extended a six-month window, from January 29 to July 29, 2025, for Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to reconsider their decisions to exit the regional bloc.
This decision was announced by Dr. Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, following the 66th Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, held on Sunday in Abuja.
The bloc emphasized its commitment to resolving the situation through dialogue and appointed the Presidents of Togo, Faure Gnassingbé, and Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, to continue mediation efforts.
In a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, ECOWAS acknowledged the notification from the three countries but expressed hope for their return to the fold.
“The Authority takes note of the notification by the Republic of Burkina Faso, Republic of Mali and Republic of Niger of their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS.
The Authority acknowledges that by the provisions of Article 91 of the revised ECOWAS Treaty, the three countries will officially cease to be members of ECOWAS from January 29, 2025.
“The Authority decides to set the period from January 29, 2025 to July 29, 2025, as a transitional period and to keep ECOWAS doors open to the three countries during the transition period.
“In this regard, the Authority extends the mandate of the President of Togo and the President of Senegal to continue their mediation role up to the end of the transition period to bring the three member countries back to ECOWAS.
“Without prejudice to the spirit of the opening, the Authority directs the President of the Commission to launch withdrawal formalities after the end of the deadline of January 29 2025 and to draw up a contingency plan covering various areas.
“The Authority directs the Council of Ministers to convene an Extraordinary Session during the 2nd quarter of 2025 to consider and adopt both separation modalities and the contingency plan covering political and economic relations between ECOWAS and the Republic of Niger, Republic of Mali and Burkina Faso,” Touray read from the communiqué.
The Authority commended President Tinubu, President Gnassingbé, and President Faye for their ongoing diplomatic efforts. Tinubu, who chairs the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State, highlighted the importance of collective resolve in addressing the region’s challenges.
In his closing remarks, Tinubu reaffirmed ECOWAS’ commitment to its founding principles, including democracy, good governance, and regional integration. He encouraged member states to ensure the summit’s resolutions translate into tangible benefits for citizens.
President Tinubu expressed optimism for a peaceful, secure, and prosperous West Africa, calling for unity and determination in championing the bloc’s shared ideals.
He also congratulated the outgoing Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, and praised Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo for his leadership, referring to him as “Mr. Democrat.”
