The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has said it is yet to receive any formal notification of exit from Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.
The media had earlier reported that the Juntas in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso had on Sunday announced the immediate withdrawal of their membership from ECOWAS in protest to their suspension from the regional bloc following coups in the countries.
The three government said it was a “sovereign decision” to withdraw from the regional bloc. In a statement announcing their withdrawal from the bloc, the states accused ECOWAS of drifting “from the ideals of its founding fathers and the spirit of Pan-Africanism.”
The statement which was read out on broadcast in the three countries said ECOWAS “under the influence of foreign powers, betraying its founding principles, has become a threat to member states and peoples.’
The countries also stated that ECOWAS has failed to help them challenge the jihadist violence in their countries. All three countries were suspended from ECOWAS following coups in Mali in 2020, Burkina Faso in 2022 and Niger in 2023.
However, ECOWAS has issued a statement stressing its ongoing efforts to restore constitutional order in collaboration with the countries. The commission said the three countries remain important members of the community.
The communique from ECOWAS Commission states, “The attention of the commission has been drawn to a statement broadcast on the National Televisions of Mali and Niger announcing the decision of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to withdraw from ECOWAS. The ECOWAS Commission is yet to receive any direct formal notification from their intention to withdraw from the community.”
“The ECOWAS maintains optimism, emphasizing the continued importance of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso within the community as negotiations persist in pursuit of a diplomatic resolution to the current political challenges.”
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