Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Agree to ECOWAS Exit Grace Period

Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, three founding members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), are set to officially withdraw from the bloc on January 29, 2025. However, the 15-nation regional body has offered a six-month grace period until July 29 to allow the nations to reconsider their departure, citing hopes of preserving regional unity.

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The decision, announced during the ECOWAS summit in Abuja, Nigeria, follows the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a new bloc spearheaded by the military governments of the three Sahel nations. The departure underscores the growing divide between ECOWAS and the Sahel countries over governance, foreign relations, and regional security.

A Rift Rooted in Political Shifts

The withdrawal comes after a series of military coups in Mali (2020), Burkina Faso (2022), and Niger (2023), which led to their suspension from ECOWAS. The bloc had urged the nations to restore democratic rule and imposed sanctions in some cases. However, the leaders of the Sahel states have rejected these demands, accusing ECOWAS of being influenced by Western powers, particularly France, their former colonial ruler.

Tensions escalated further as the Sahel countries deepened ties with Russia, citing a need for greater independence in addressing their shared challenges, particularly the jihadist insurgencies wreaking havoc across the region.

“The decision to withdraw is irreversible,” the three nations stated in a joint communiqué, asserting their right to chart an independent course while maintaining ties with ECOWAS citizens.

Commitment to Free Movement

Despite their impending exit, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have pledged to uphold visa-free movement and residency rights for ECOWAS citizens, a gesture aimed at preserving longstanding cultural and economic ties.

Mali’s military leader and AES chairperson, Assimi Goïta, emphasised that the right of ECOWAS citizens to “enter, circulate, reside, establish, and leave the territory” of the AES would remain intact. This assurance has alleviated some concerns about disruptions to regional trade and labour mobility for the bloc’s 446 million people.

Implications for West Africa

The departure of the three Sahel nations, which collectively represent over 76 million people and more than half of ECOWAS’ total land area, marks a significant turning point in the bloc’s nearly 50-year history.

While the AES priorities local security and sovereignty, the split has raised fears of weakened regional cooperation in combating terrorism and fostering economic integration. The Sahel region remains a hotspot for jihadist insurgencies linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS), which have destabilised the area and displaced millions.

Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, an ECOWAS-appointed mediator, remains optimistic about reconciliation. “We have made progress in our discussions,” he noted, reaffirming the bloc’s commitment to peaceful negotiations during the transition period.

A Broader Realignment

This pivotal moment in West African geopolitics is seen as part of a broader shift in regional alignments. The Sahel states’ pivot towards Russia and away from France signals a growing desire for alternative alliances, reflecting frustrations with traditional Western-led strategies.

ECOWAS Commission President Omar Alieu Touray described the impending exits as “disheartening” but praised the bloc’s efforts to preserve unity. “Your collective commitment to preserving peace and stability is commendable,” he told leaders during the summit.

A New Chapter for ECOWAS and the Sahel

The split highlights the ongoing debate over the future of African regionalism. As the Alliance of Sahel States charts its course, its success—or failure—will likely influence how other nations view regional blocs like ECOWAS.

In the meantime, the two blocs must navigate their differences while addressing shared challenges, including economic integration, insurgency threats, and sustainable development.

The departure of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger may mark the end of an era for ECOWAS, but it also signals the beginning of a new chapter in West African unity and self-determination.