Abuja, Jan. 29, 2025 – Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have officially withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) from today.
The ECOWAS Commission announced this in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.
“The withdrawal of Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali and the Republic of Niger from ECOWAS has become effective today, 29th January 2025,” the commission said.
The statement, however, said that In the spirit of regional solidarity and in the interest of the people, all relevant authorities within and outside ECOWAS Member States were requested to recognise national passports and identity cards bearing the ECOWAS logo held by citizens of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, until further notice.
It said goods and services from the three countries would still be treated under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and investment policy.
“Additionally, citizens of the three countries would retain their “right of visa-free movement, residence, and establishment in accordance with ECOWAS protocols until further notice.”
The commission said these measures were to avoid confusion and disruption in the lives and businesses of our people during this transition period.
It said a structure had been set up to facilitate discussions on the future relationship between the bloc and the three countries.
The three countries had formally written to ECOWAS about their intention to leave the regional block following their fall out with ECOWAS over sanctions imposed on them for staging military coups that ousted elected governments in their countries.
These countries later formed a splinter regional block called Alliance of Shahel States (AES). (GBN)
