The military junta of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic will end their membership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in January 2025, the regional bloc said on Sunday.
This is part of the resolutions reached at the end of the 66th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Commission Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja
In the communique read by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, the Commission noted that it respected the decision of the three countries to exit the community.
It, however, announces that a transition period of six months between January 29 an July 29 will be given to the counties during which the current negotiations with ECOWAS Mediation team led by the Presidents of Senegal and Togo will continue.
ECOWAS noted that if during the transition period the three Sahel countries decide to rejoin the community, they would be readmitted.
The decision is in line with Article 91 of the revised ECOWAS treaties which recognises the sovereignty of every member state.
This means Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger will cease to be members of ECOWAS from January 29, 2025.
The communique reads in part, “The authority takes note of the notification by Bukina Faso, Republic of Mali and the Republic of Niger of their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS. The authority acknowledges that in accordance with the provisions of Article 91 of the revised ECOWAS treaty, the three countries will officially cease to be members of ECOWAS from 29 January, 2025.
“The authority decides to set the period from 29 January, 2025 to 29 July 2025 as a transitional period and to keep ECOWAS doors open to the three countries during the transition period.”
